Your Nintendo Wii is older than your new TV, and it looks as though you can't connect the two. Will you have to sacrifice progress on Super Mario Galaxy, or are you missing something?

You can use all sorts of cables to connect your Wii to your TV, like RGB, VGA, and HDMI. Here’s how to connect your Nintendo Wii to your TV, regardless of what type.

My Wii Doesn't Have the Right TV Port

You're concerned that your Nintendo Wii doesn't have a TV-out option that fits your new TV. However, despite first impressions, several methods of connecting the Nintendo Wii to a TV are available. There is even the option to use a Wii to HDMI converter.

You can connect the Wii to a TV via:

  1. RGB
  2. S-Video
  3. SCART
  4. VGA
  5. Component
  6. HDMI

If your new TV is short of legacy inputs, or you have multiple devices vying for the same ports, these steps (intended for HD and HD Ready TVs) should help you to connect your Wii to almost any type of television.

Note that whichever solution you use, you're limited to the Nintendo Wii's maximum output resolution of 480p.

1. The Nintendo Wii's Default TV Cables

Shipping with the Nintendo Wii was the Wii AV Cable This connects to the Nintendo Wii at one end, and the RCA TV inputs at the other. (Red and white for audio; yellow for video.)

Once connected, and the console switched on, you will be able to view the Wii using your remote's TV/Video button. Can't find this? Look instead for Input Select, EXT, AUX, or AV. You might also try browsing to channel 00 or 99.

This brief instruction should be all you need to connect your Nintendo Wii to a modern TV.

2. S-Video Cables and the Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii can also be enjoyed with an S-Video cable connected to your TV.

The RCA connectors might also be included, giving you the option to use either depending on your TV. For S-Video connections, however, connect the red and white audio cables to your TV as well as the S-Video. Typically, these will be grouped together on the back or side of your TV (occasionally hidden behind a door).

With both TV and Wii powered up, use your remote control (see above) to find the signal from your Wii.

Sadly, as S-Video has been retired, the cables are hard to find. You might find a suitable cable on eBay, but not new.

3. Using a SCART Connector With the Nintendo Wii

TV SCART port

Want to use the SCART connector on your TV? If you're limited for ports, this might be a good option. SCART is easily extendable, supporting splitters and switched hubs for multiple connections, much like a USB hub.

RCA to SCART adapters aren't as common as they used to be. If you were lucky, one might have been included with your Nintendo Wii. Otherwise, you'll need to buy a new one. It features three inputs, red, white, and yellow.

With the RCA cable plugged in, you can connect the SCART to the back of your TV. If the picture doesn’t appear when the Wii is powered on, switch the input mode to view the SCART input channel on your TV.

4. Connecting the Nintendo Wii to a VGA Monitor

TV VGA port

Using an adapter you can connect your Nintendo Wii to a VGA monitor with an RCA to VGA breakout cable. This is particularly useful if you're using the Wii as a PC (the Wii is one of the devices on which you can install Linux.)

Here, simply connect the cable to the VGA input on the TV or monitor, then to your Wii's RCA cable. Switch on the display device, and ensure that the input option is set to VGA.

5. How to Hook Up a Wii to a Smart TV With Component Cable Input

TV composite input ports

Available for under $10, a component cable will connect the Nintendo Wii to the component input ports behind your TV. This is an increasingly rare collection of five inputs, two for audio, three for video.

With a device like the one shown, connect the red and white audio jacks into the matching inputs, and the green, blue, and red likewise. In the rare but occasional absence of matching color coding on the inputs, pay attention instead to the labels.

For audio, this means red is right, left is white. For video, green is Y, blue is Pb/Cb, and red is Pr/Cr. With the cable connected at both ends, select the correct input mode on your remote control. Note that if the TV has progressive scan, this must be enabled in the settings screen before you can see images from the Nintendo Wii.

You may also need to set the correct screen format.

  1. On the Wii, open Settings > Wii Settings > Screen
  2. Set the TV Resolution setting to EDTV or HDTV (480p)
  3. Next, set Widescreen Settings to Widescreen 16:9
  4. Click Confirm to finish

This video explains in more detail:

Note that component inputs are found alongside the RCA inputs, as the red/white audio cables can be used for both. Make sure you get the right cables in the right ports!

6. How to Connect Your Nintendo Wii to a Smart TV With an HDMI Adapter

TV HDMI ports

Originally, the component cable option was the only way to connect the Wii reliably to an HDTV. However, a Wii to HDMI adapter lets you connect your Wii to a TV without the AV cables. You can expect a good quality image on a smart TV.

Just connect one to your Nintendo Wii, hook up an HDMI cable and plug it into your TV. View the output on the HDMI channel using Input Select on your TV remote.

Wii to HDMI is a simple solution to connect your Nintendo Wii to any smart TV.

Dolby Surround Sound Options

Although digital audio isn't available on the Nintendo Wii, you can still get good sound. Mono, stereo, and surround--specifically, Dolby Pro Logic II--are available, the latter providing a simulated surround sound ideal for entertainment systems with a surround sound setup.

To switch between these options:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Find System Settings > Sound, and select the preferred option
  3. Confirm your choice when you're done

Just make sure your speakers are the right size for your room or things might get distorted.

Now You Know How to Connect a Nintendo Wii to Any TV

It doesn't matter that you no longer own the TV you connected your Wii to all those years ago. Whether you're using an old TV with SCART or relying on an HDMI converter, you can still connect your Wii to your TV.

Although 480p is the best quality resolution it can manage, all of your old games will be ready to play.