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. So, in this article, we’ll explain 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. These rely on the standard AV cable, which can be used to connect the Wii to a TV via:
- RGB
- S-Video
- SCART
- VGA
- Component
- HDMI
If your new TV is short of legacy inputs, or you have multiple devices vying for the same ports, the following instructions (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
Mcbazel Composite Audio Video AV Cable for Wii Console Mcbazel Composite Audio Video AV Cable for Wii Console Buy Now On Amazon $6.95
Shipping with the Nintendo Wii was a proprietary cable, the Wii AV Cable. This connects to the Nintendo Wii at one end, and the RCA TV inputs at the other. (Red and white are for audio; yellow is 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 get your Nintendo Wii connected to any compatible Smart TV.
2. S-Video Cables and the Nintendo Wii
Wii/Wii U - Cable - S-Video & AV Wii/Wii U - Cable - S-Video & AV Buy Now On Amazon $11.99
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.
3. Using a SCART Connector With the Nintendo Wii
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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.
With three inputs (red, white, and yellow) once the RCA cable is plugged in, you can connect the SCART to the back of your TV, switch the input mode, and view the SCART input channel on your TV.
4. Connecting the Nintendo Wii to a VGA Monitor
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Again, using an adapter, you can also connect your Nintendo Wii to a VGA monitor with an RCA to VGA breakout cable. This is particularly useful if your Wii has been relegated to a back room, for instance, or you’re using it as a PC after installing PC.
Yes, that’s right, 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. Using Component Cable Input With the Wii
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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 will need to be enabled before you can see images from the Nintendo Wii.
You’ll also need to open Settings > Wii Settings > Screen and set the TV Resolution setting to EDTV or HDTV (480p). Next, set Widescreen Settings to Widescreen 16:9, then click Confirm.
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
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Originally, the component cable option was the only way to connect the Wii reliably to a HDTV. However, a Wii to HDMI adapter also produces a good quality image on a Smart TV.
Just connect one to your Nintendo Wii, hook up a HDMI cable and plug it into your TV. View the output on the HDMI channel using Input Select or a similar option on your TV remote.
It’s a quick, simple solution to connect your Nintendo Wii to any Smart TV using HDMI.
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, open Settings > System Settings > Sound, and make your choice. Remember to Confirm your choice when you’re done.
(Not sure about audio options? See our guide to surround sound standards Dolby Digital, DTS, THX: Surround Sound Standards Explained Although there are only three main players in the surround sound industry, each has their own subsets of technology as it relates to surround. Read More .)
Easily Connect Your 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 a 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. Not only that, you can enjoy some classic video games with these great emulators for the Nintendo Wii 30+ Great Emulators You Can Run on Your Nintendo Wii With these emulators, you can play virtually any retro video game on the Nintendo Wii. Here are the best emulators on the Wii. Read More .
Related topics: Gaming Tips, HDMI, Nintendo Wii, Retro Gaming, Television.
Affiliate Disclosure: By buying the products we recommend, you help keep the site alive. Read more.
Hi,
I bought a HDMI 1080 converter, but it didn't work.
It comes up with the error message 'Not Optimum Mode Recommended Mode 1920x1080'.
I tried changing my monitor setting from pc to AV mode, but still no luck.
I am using a Samsung SyncMaster SA950 LED HD Monitor.
Any suggestions?
Cheers,
Anton.
Hi again,
I found a fix to my problem.
Here's the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/wii/comments/6tpssr/help_wii2hdmi_to_computer_monitor_issue/
I just changed my Wii settings to a progressive screen settings mode on another tv, and then I could use it the converter on my pc monitor.
However, the screen is a little smaller than my pc monitor.. i guess that's just how it rolls...
Cheers,
Anton
Have just bought a new Samsung smart TV - it came with composite adapter and worked first time. Just had to change a few of the settings, screen width etc but otherwise all fine and good picture and sound. Much easier than setting up our old Humax pvr has proven to be ... still trying to get that to work properly with the new telly!
Just bought a new Samsung smart TV - it came with composite cable adapter and worked first time. Had to change screen width settings, etc. but all fine. Much less trouble than connecting our old Humax pvr has proven to be!
Hello I ordered the hdmi converter. My screen has a lot of blue black and white static I can hear the sound and tell when the remote is making a selection but because it's there's so much static I cannot see the picture at all. Any suggestions?
I have it all plugged in and sound but its black and white how do i fix this problem
The same thing happened to us tonight when using the Yellow/Red/White cable that came with the Wii. We realized we need the upgraded Wii HDTV cable that has Red/Blue/Green wires and have ordered that.
This has not worked for me. Not sure what the solution is. I have a pc monitor (vga and dvi input) and I got the wii. I also ordered a Wii2hdmi little thing that many people said worked great and a dvi-hdmi cable to connect it to the monitor. When I plug everything I get a black screen with a "Not Optimum Mode Recommended Mode 1920x1080 60hz" message. The Menu button on monitor does not work. In other posts somebody recommended to change a setting>screen>tv resolution>hdtv, but yes, for that I would need a tv handy first. Is there a away around this? If I could take the wii to a friends house and then there change the setting, will they stay put? Thanks.
Settings *should* stay put. Try it out and let us know!
This has not worked for me. Not sure what the solution is. I have a pc monitor (vga and dvi input) and I got the wii. I also ordered a Wii2hdmi little thing that many people said worked great and a dvi-hdmi cable to connect it to the monitor. When I plug everything I get a black screen with a "Not Optimum Mode Recommended Mode 1920x1080 60hz" message. The Menu button on monitor does not work. In other posts somebody recommended to change a setting>screen>tv resolution>hdtv, but yes, for that I would need a tv handy first. Is there a away around this? If I could take the wii to a friends house and then there change the setting, will they stay put? Thanks.
Hello, very interesting post, but i have a new wii u and my projector has an input for the TV antenna so I watch the tv directly and it has also dvd... I have the red,yellow and white inputs and outputs but when i connect mi wii u i can not see anything. I do not know if i have to search for it as one search in the tv for a channel or if i have to do something special. I haven no a normal TV at home so i can not configurate de wii u ... And it the box of my projector says that i can use my consol with it. ( I have the cable with the CRA and HMDI males) . What i can do? Maybe is the cable that does not function.
Thanks
Henrika
PS. Excuse me for my bad english, i do not usually use it
What are the options for the new wii u console?? No hdmi on my tv
You should be able to use the old-style Wii AV cable on the WiiU.
Got an hdmi converter for my wii. Have picture but no sound.
hey did you figure this out?? I did the same thing and no sound unless I switch the speakers output on my tv to tv speakers instead of external which is my surround sound
You will need whatever you're trying to play sound through to be plugged into your TV so when the Wii goes to your TV The Sounds then goes through the TV through another wire that then plugged into a stereo or sound bar. I have a HDMI cable going from my Wii to my tv witch gives me the picture and from there my tv has a output for Optimus cable and that plugs into my soundbar which works my surrounding and everything
I have the same problem here. I bought a Wii to HDMI converter for my Wii. The picture works great but there is no sound. I thought the HDMI plug would carry both the picture and the sound. (?) HELP!!
Try a different HDMI cable. Also, check that the converter you chose definitely carries sound. It might be defective, too, so consider this.
My tv doesn't have the yellow plug? What else can I do to connect my wii?
Is there a way to connect the Wii using the USB port? It's the only open option on my TV. Thank you!
Sadly not, Karen - if you have a USB port on your TV, it's typically for engineers to run updates, or with newer models, to view media stored on a USB device.
Thanks for this article. I just ordered the HDMI converter from Amazon. Crossing my fingers that it works.
I've found that the Wii emulates just fine on a decent PC. Its peripherals are bluetooth.
Why bother with a noisy console with outdated connectivity options at all?
It's a fair point! But emulation isn't always an option that's open.
because emulation is far from perfect. despite the advances in emulators they're full of compatibility issues, even nintendont on wii u.