How to Watch Netflix on the Wii

Add the Netflix channel to your Wii and watch movies and shows

What to Know

  • Main menu: Select Wii Shop Channel > Start > Start Shopping > Wii Channels > Netflix; follow the prompts.
  • Don't see Netflix? Select Wii Shop Channel > Start > Start Shopping > Titles You've Downloaded > Netflix.
  • If you get the Unable to connect error, select Try Again. Or, select More Details > Deactivate and log back in.

This article describes how to watch movies on your Wii using Netflix.

How to Add Netflix to Nintendo Wii

The Wii doesn't have as many useful apps as its successors, the Wii U and Switch, but it does have both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Netflix is free, so if you have a Netflix account, download it, log in, and start watching.

  1. From the main Wii home menu, select Wii Shop Channel.

    The Wii Shop Channel on the Wii dashboard
  2. Select Start.

    The Start button in the Wii Shop Channel
  3. Click Start Shopping.

    The "Start Shopping" button in the Wii Shop Channel
  4. Select the Wii Channels menu.

    The Wii Channels option in Wii Shop Channel
  5. Select Netflix. If you don't see Netflix, scroll down.

    If you still don't see Netflix, look for it in the Titles You've Downloaded menu.

    Netflix in Wii Channels
  6. Select Free.

    The download button in the Wii Shop Channel
  7. Choose where to store the Wii channel. You can either use Wii System Memory or an SD Card.

    Download location options on the Wii
  8. Select OK.

    The OK button on the Selection Confirmation screen
  9. Click Yes to confirm the download.

    The Yes button on the Download Confirmation screen
  10. Wait for the channel to download and for the Download Successful message to appear, then select OK.

    The Download Successful screen
  11. Select Wii Menu.

    The Wii Menu button
  12. Select Netflix Channel to launch Netflix.

    The Netflix channel on the Wii home screen

What to Do If You Can't Find Netflix

In some cases, you won't find Netflix in the Wii Channels menu. It should still be possible to get Netflix on your Wii, but you'll have to look for the channel in a different location. If you don't see Netflix in the Wii Channels menu, follow these steps:

  1. From the main Wii home menu, select the Wii Shop Channel.

    The Wii Shop Channel on the Wii dashboard
  2. Select Start.

    The Start button in the Wii Shop Channel
  3. Choose Start Shopping.

    The "Start Shopping" button in the Wii Shop Channel
  4. Select Titles You've Downloaded.

    "Titles You've Downloaded" in the Wii Shop Channel
  5. Select Netflix. If you don't see Netflix, scroll down.

Use a Wii to Watch High Definition Content

Unlike most modern gaming systems, the Wii doesn't have an HDMI port, meaning it doesn't play 1080p content. The default A/V cable that comes with the Wii only outputs a 480i video signal.

If you connect your Wii with an optional component cable, it can output a 480p signal. But that's still not enough for high definition content. The Wii hardware isn't cable of outputting video in 720p or 1080p.

If your television can upscale low definition content, the picture may look better than a television without this feature.

For more information, check out our full guide to setting up a Wii.

How to Fix Netflix Problems on Wii

Most Netflix problems on the Wii are caused by account problems, a bad internet connection, or corrupted data on the Netflix app. If Netflix won't work on your Wii, try these troubleshooting tips:

  1. If you get the Unable to connect to Netflix error, select Try Again.

    Troubleshooting Netflix on Wii
  2. If Netflix still doesn't work, select More Details > Deactivate, and then log back into Netflix.

  3. If your Wii is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi and you have an Ethernet adapter, connect with Ethernet.

  4. If you can't connect using Ethernet, move your Wii and your router closer to each other.

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