I Paid £18 for a FAULTY Wii MINI | Can I FIX It?

I got this Nintendo Wii from good old eBay. It was sold as having power but didn't turn on. How strange.
Let's try and fix it!
Hope you enjoy!
Steve
PS. I'm not an expert in repairs at all. I do this for fun, and it may not be the best or safest way to go about repairing broken stuff. I'm pretty good at melting plastic though. Please don't copy me - I'm an idiot.
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[@steelcityreseller8170]

Agree with those who say no need to reset the melted plastic counter. I consider the counter to mean when you accidentally melt something because you didn't take precautions/didn't think about it and you end up damaging the end product. The bad switch was, well, bad so who cares if it melts...you weren't going to take precautions to protect it. 🙂

[@yogiber21]

Agreed

[@VampyRagDoll]

Agreed

[@minmogrovingstrongandhealthy]

Yeah I don't understand why he reset the counter. The button was completely destroyed already, you can't salvage anything on that it was just junk.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

I know he really wanted to reset it and looked for an excuse to do it. The button was to be replaced with hot air and it doesn't count as melted plastic. Put the counter back to current day.

[@samuraidriver4x4]

Agreed, counter should be restored.

[@fixins]

I probably would have just shaved down the pokey-bit from the WII but you're probably right to modify the part rather than the console.

[@theycallme_nightmaster]

if he had to mod the case it would be better to shave down the plastic standoffs. then the damage can be reverted with longer screws/washers

[@anthonydarnell33]

I would put the counter back to 10. You were not trying to save or re-use the button anyway.

[@5implesimon]

I was thinking that but then until the jobs done you never know which part might have to save the day..even if its a part of the old one ...so I think its 0 days

[@rickseiden1]

I would have just clipped the legs off the original button and wiped the left over bits off with the soldering iron. No melted plastic. But, I do think that the spirit of the melted plastic counter is that it is accidentally melted plastic, and in this case, you didn't do it on accident, and there were no repercussions to it being melted because it was trash anyway, so no need to reset it.

[@Mymatevince]

Nicely done Steve

[@StezStixFix]

Thanks Vince, hope you're keeping well 👍

[@Darlypants]

I learned enough watching these videos to repair my Canon 5D Mark II. It had a damaged compact flash card connector (bent and missing pins from putting a card in sideways), and using the cheapest Amazon soldering kit I could find I was able to remove the old 80 pin connector and put the new eBay one on. Then I committed the cardinal sin of reassembling the camera fully before testing, but I was rewarded for my hubris. An 80-pin desolder and resolder job on a professional DSLR as a first ever task was insane. It was an emotional moment turning the camera on and pressing the "review photos" button. When the card was successfully read I shed a tear and thought "maybe the world doesn't hate me after all" Thanks mate

[@Loki-]

Congratulations, Darly. I don't hate you.

[@polyfusion]

Very well done. I do know that it's an impressive job to do successfully... I found the very same model camera in the trash at work and after doing a bit of research, and watching videos on YT about the camera, figured there was a problem with the CF card pins, and after taking it apart, found that it was indeed the case, one single pin pushed back. I contemplated replacing the 80-pin connector, but decided to just push the pin back, insert a card, and leave it in there, transfer photos out using a cable. I think another deciding factor to do so is that it's the only camera I have of this calibre, and I don't have any lenses for it, so may never get to use it.

[@Darlypants]

@@polyfusion Smart decision to just leave a card in there! It was exactly one pin for me too, but it broke off. Even though the model is over 10 years old, it still takes great photos that are leagues ahead of smart phones, etc.

[@01Chris02]

Started watching a couple weeks ago and I think I have watched almost every video now. I've learnt so much about electronics just from your vids so thanks so much! Also really satisfying just to watch you at work and trying to figure out the faults. Also, I've only just seen your melted plastic counter, great idea and very funny. Thanks for being you

[@dianeramakers3368]

Great fix again Steve. And because of you I have also bought that grinding pen. That was the tool that my repair cases for the repaircafe were missing. And I found out that it can be stored safely stored in the plastic casing of an epi-pen.

[@JasonFuss1992]

I love the backyard repair approach, good job mate

[@stefandowney]

I've just done my first ad-hoc repair with components I pre-bought, it was a raspberry pi! Really pleased so thanks for being innocent and clueless as it made me grow a pair and give it a go too, previously my main achievement was repairing a £150 pair of headphones I got for £15 (Orange 'O' Editions) which only involved opening them up and re-soldering a wire, now though, bees knees. Brilliant, Stefan.

[@pixelpuppy]

I think shaving the switch instead of the peg on the power button was a good call, since the switch can be replaced easily in the future if need be.

[@bobbaird812]

Nice touch getting The Cure to do the backing track…!

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

FYI the "sensor" bar is actually just a couple infrared leds and you can use candles instead if you want.

[@Senteri]

I'm not sure if putting candles on top or in front of your tv is a smart idea though.

[@Dsbarrynl]

But if you dont have a sensor bar it could be a temporary fix

[@hugegamer5988]

Ok, but how bright in candles should my candle be?

[@summerlaverdure]

great fix as usual Steve!! i think you dont need to reset the counter btw, i dont think anyone cares about melting nintendo's trash buttons

[@Okurka.]

I care.

[@summerlaverdure]

@@Okurka. lol k sure

[@orfeociano3303]

I think that the fifth leg on the button was to allow condensers to discharge quickly once you turn off your console. Nothing to worry about ;) Well done!

[@Okurka.]

The fifth leg connects to the housing of the SMD button and is for rigidity.

[@hugegamer5988]

Looks like the ground was common and the others were normally open and normally closed. Easy to verify using a meter.

[@azureskys]

Brilliant fix! Also, the music used on this has such a The Cure vibe making me super nostalgic.

[@rod370]

H, Steve. I would have taken a little bit off the button on the case. And if you take to much off it put a small pad on the other part of the button. And after you found out it worked. I would have glued it to the other part of the button. And job done. Stay safe to you and your loved onrs.

[@chrisj2848]

I think that's a great fix Steve! Excellent episode 👍

[@StezStixFix]

Cheers Chris! 👍

[@fcuk_x]

Spoilers!!!

[@darkrecxonline]

Always enjoying your videos Steve! Keep up with the excellent work!! :)

[@Nobe_Oddy]

I didn't think that switch was gonna work.... GREAT JOB!

[@knightnevermore]

Great fix and congratulations to your newest console. As soon as you have a game for it, I hope it brings you lots of joy!

[@JacobDubs]

Button ground is probably just for extra stability. Nice work!

[@hugegamer5988]

Likely the common pin and the other two normally open and normally closed. It’s a momentary version and the power management chipset likely uses both, it couldn’t be used as an actual mains power switch.

[@danhitchcock727]

I like this channel! My fix would have been changing the switch then removing the button that turns it on and off. Then turn it on and off with a pen poked through the hole where the button was! Shows what a little more patience can do!

[@GOINGNOMAD]

Or even lazier, just short the switch and turn off by pulling the plug 😂

[@hugegamer5988]

The three switch positions are easy to understand. The switch is momentary and not latching, meaning it only acts for a brief time and cannot act as a disconnect to mains power. Instead there is a power management chip that uses signal lines and it is the actual device turning it on and off. The center ground contact is the Common pin while the others are normally open and normally closed. This arrangement is pretty common in electronics.

[@radialblur]

Steve, you make my dull days at work fixing broadcast equipment so much more entertaining, thank you :)

[@KericthePally]

I'm certain that didn't count as melted plastic. Only counts if you accidentally melt something you weren't just clearing off the board. Resetting your counter for this is like worrying that the pasta sauce jar broke when you chucked it in the recycling bin. The button was obviously for the bin, better to just get it off fast.

[@andrewgrant6516]

What's a Wii mini? Never heard of it. The Wii was only a wee thing to start with. Now you've got a wee wee Wii that went all the way home.

[@EM2theBee]

This is why I love your channel! You're very resourceful 😊

[@dieterf.8826]

Two candles will actually work instead of the "sensor bar". It is not actually a sensor, just 2 IR LEDs. The Sensor is in the remote.

[@brandoncolemire4220]

Are there any longer/multiple problem fix videos coming down the pipe? I’m just curious and absolutely not complaining. I love this channel. I’d watch 5 second videos if you put them out. I believe that’s enough “fanboying” for now lol

[@sariflips3955]

That Music gives me serious "the Cure" Vibes.... Love it!

[@watchingdanny]

Don't reset the counter for the insignificant button. You're still good buddy. 👍🏽😁

[@NowInAus]

Should’ve melted the power button to reshape it. I mean, you reset your melty counter so there was no shame left to lose. Great fix and wonderful anticlimactic ending. Nice

[@wallyf7020]

Excellent fix, Steve. Keep up the great work

[@JonnyMudMower]

I just picked one of these up ,I didn’t know 5hey existed lol , I hit it with bluebomb and ordered the sd card / wifi kit , these were made to be a project….. 👍🏻🇨🇦🍻 PEI Canada here.

[@KisoX]

Wiierd power button...If it is a melted plastic counter it should count. It does not mean anything anyway but it was definitely melted plastic. You will get to 10 days back in around 10 days! I trust in you!

[@wisher21uk]

Brilliant fix Steve well done 😊

[@sidb37]

No game disc necessary. USB stick, roms, homebrew channel, and wiiFlow

[@krahwinkel9503]

Steve - King of the Button Replacement. It is not a melted plastic situation - all reused parts are still 100% intact.

[@russellcox1465]

You’re not stupid, you’re bloody ACE Steve!!

[@RcNBeyond]

I know I'm a bit behind with this, but I really like the Joy Division/New Order style of music in this Vid Steve, and one of the reasons I am about to press the magic Subscription button.

[@gn7740]

Love the cure type sound track

[@pedromimoso8804]

Another nice fix and another nice song, Steve! 👍👍👍

[@CoolTJ-fb9ej]

do you know by any chance what the orginal song name is? (the one he sang for the outro)

[@pedromimoso8804]

​@@CoolTJ-fb9ejWe Didn’t Start the Fire, by Billy Joel

[@kabnoot]

I like the raps, i just wish you were louder. Rap with confidence! I love the vids. You have a wonderful personality.

[@sorakat42]

That Wii is doubly stupid as it can only play wii games and can't go online. So stupid Wii is the perfect nickname. Great to see another successful fix from you!

[@StezStixFix]

Yeah, it's a real shame they removed so much of the functionality, cos it's a cute looking thing otherwise! 😬

[@sergiojimenez3415]

@@StezStixFixit CAN go online but…that requires blue bomb homebrew.

[@pmarin3855]

@@sergiojimenez3415why not a collaboration between Steve, Dave and another person who can re-engineer the board to add functionality?

[@sergiojimenez3415]

@@pmarin3855 macho nacho already did it. I attempted to put that WiFi mod on it but…there must’ve been a leg of the WiFi port not soldered so it blank screened. I ended up just calling it a future project or a donor board.

[@unrealraven]

Don’t need sense bar thing just 2 flames (candles) without anything like glass between flame and remote

[@kyleireland]

apparently if you use two small candles it will work similar to using a sensor bar.

[@Sirens.Lullaby]

the song you chose for the main section of the vid eerily reminds me of lovesong by the cure

[@kriss3d]

Yeah. There's a difference between melting plastic when it's something you know you should be careful about ans then something where you already know it won't matter. No need to reset when it's something you're discarding. Also you could grind off a little from the casing button instead of the switch itself. But it worked out fine

[@lucidphusion]

Been watching for a good while and love every episode, but never comment. However, when you play my favorite song, We Didn't Start The Fire, I am obligated to give you your well deserved kudos.

[@TheOnlyJohnAbraham]

That Patreon rap is legendary. Love it!

[@wyxchari]

You could also have cut the button from the red casing and not the button from the circuit.

[@Rukyr99]

Just what I was thinking….👍

[@Okurka.]

Cutting a 5 cent replaceable part vs cutting the console.

[@infin1ty850]

I don't think I've ever seen a Wii that looks like that

[@devttyUSB0]

nor have i. really weird. though it was one of those small form factor replica thingies.

[@StezStixFix]

Yeah, I don't think they're that common. They look cute, but they're missing a decent resolution output, and also the WiFi card. So it's a bit of a shame really 😳

[@Cactus270]

@@StezStixFixwanted to become a Concrete Donkey today but they was sold out. Really want my name in those raps haha 😂 anyways cheers to ya Stez. Love your vids

[@jankarlovic]

​@@StezStixFixWere they europe and asia only? I remember seeing them in shops 10-15 years ago

[@5izzy557]

Also, SD card slot, basically they removed anything hackers were using to mod it, but alas they found a way using Bluetooth that the controllers sync with lol@@StezStixFix

[@strangelee4400]

Could have shaved a mill or two off the screw housing pillars holding the board in place which would lower the height of the button.

[@juliom6260]

Just put the counter back to 10. That part was already broken

[@unsaltedskies]

Steve didn't melt the button. It was already buggered so nobody suffered.🎵

[@SSR_RedDevil]

Steve, you sir are a wizard.

[@idm8885]

Thanks for the video Uncle Steve............................

[@Popeyes66]

Was gonna go out for a pint,but watched Steve fix another stupid game console again. You are saving me a fortune Steve,even if that wasn't your intention. Cheers ?

[@frankmarlinghaus6336]

Hey Steve ! I watch your videos for quite a while from good old Miami. I love it. It is one of the highlights of my day !! Good rap !!!

[@marksuper4920]

I had no idea that they made a top loading wii. I really like that design.

[@iaincowell9747]

It's crap though. No GameCube support, no Wi-Fi support and online connectivity, along with the removal of the SD card slot.

[@marksuper4920]

@iaincowell9747 Wow - that's a shame. The console itself looks so good.

[@mrpugster]

I just love seeing Gordon again. I do so miss him and the broom cupboard and my job at the BBC. All the best Phil. PS fancy a pint?

[@grantm902]

Alternative theory: ground pad is perhaps to improve EMC compliance, else switch housing is a floating antenna

[@djlancematthew]

Nice work! I’m very curious. Did you take time to look and see what the extra pad for the power button is for? Obviously they put it on there for a reason. Is it just a ground? Will something happen long-term because it’s not connected?

[@muharremsuz]

Its probably a mounting pad

[@Anthestudios]

Nintendo is known for having needlessly overcomplicated board designs. I think this was safe to ignore.

[@danisaac]

Don’t leave your batteries in the wii remote if not used for a while they self discharge and then leak due to the small standby current of them possibly destroying the remote ⚠️

[@Schush]

Energizer Lithiums

[@sampahumeoli]

i also fix the button of a mouse for the middle wheel same kind of button

[@ascorbic123]

definitely wouldve been easier to trim the pushrod that acts on the button

[@idonotliveinkentucky]

I'm surprised no one has become a HHG supporter with the name "Orange" just to watch him struggle to rhyme each episode

[@UpToNoGood83]

Genius! New Fan an Follower here. Keep up the Great Work!

[@mtshark7]

Nicely done Steve!

[@mister_milkman]

That button was obviously fixable, so soldering in a new one was completely pointless.

[@Ozzpot]

I feel like I just woke from a coma. I had no idea there was a Wii Mini! 😧

[@der-andyman]

Hi there, very nice video. Could you please tell me which flux you are using? Thanks.

[@hugegamer5988]

The extra bit of missing switch is right next to my left sock that I also can’t understand how it’s missing from the laundry.

[@wojiaobill]

You should replace the power button with the horn from a 1908 Ford Model T

[@OldGenGamer84]

I'm pretty sure because of how this model was redesigned, people used them as a doner to make portable Wii's GameCubes. There's probably not so many in the wild now because of that and may become more valuable.

[@austinkoeppen6122]

I bought an Xbox One S off Ebay, it was suspected by the seller to have a bad power supply. Just got it today and it works perfectly. I'm mildly disappointed I didn't get to fix anything.

[@andybonneau9209]

No, melting plastic doesn't count when you don't care about saving the part. It only counts when it matters.

[@jed2055]

The kids still use a modded Wii. Works fine and the disc drive can never be worn out from use. I was surprised to see the Wii mini Where's the logic Nintendo?designed to use discs six years after the original. Why would I buy a Mini when it's basically a slightly shrunk down standard Wii? Ntd could have released usb rom packs with say 5 games on each for not too much money and monetise the Mini.

[@southernindianaoutdoors8591]

The ending song tho!! Love that song!!

[@Brice23]

I would never consider a person stupid because they did not purchase a Wii game. In this matter I calculate in the opposite direction.

[@jamesytez6639]

BlueBomb'd that Wii, Stez. I mean, I know you wanna know if the optical works, but it's pretty stupid not to hack this console

[@wannabemgtow2540]

I was about to say there was no paranormal activity in this video, but nope.

[@Pswilson3]

I thought you'd gone all Bob the builder with the video title.. can Wii fix it. I was mistaken😂 Great video 👍🏻

[@Dsbarrynl]

If you dont have a sensor bar, you can put two tealight candles next to the tv and voila, sensor bar

[@Jenisonc]

Saturday just got better 🤘

[@adamw9030]

Thanks!

[@BadgerSquatch]

The BadgerSquatch IS here!

[@StezStixFix]

🤣

[@flusso316]

I like it when you sing.

[@justindeary1]

You aren't, by any chance, a New Order fan, are you? P.S. Love these videos, and particularly your home-made songs.

[@aihal4]

Melting something thats broken doesnt count Steve :D

[@Cactus270]

The beat on the Patreon rap was straight 🔥!!!!

[@MauR1CEnl]

Great video as always and big tumbs up for the background music. 😚

[@romanb.6528]

Congratulations) And when there will be a continuation Sega Master System?

[@TheDuderino]

@StezStix Fix? I love your sense of humour.

[@SchlegFace765]

That Cure-esque groove in the middle of the video had me thinking something sad was going to happen.

[@dgEari]

Not hating on the rap, but the post-punk/the cure style interludes are fire. Have you tought about changing the raps for parodies? Sorry abt the rambling. Your content ir top notch!!!

[@theonebluedragon]

So now you can add WiFi to it (it still has the pads for theWiFi card and there is a kit you can buy with the card and connector, etc.), and do the SD card/reset button mod (there is a cool kit for this too) to it and make it awesome. Oh, and get a Wii2HDMI for it as well.

[@CrashFan03]

i don't think wii2hdmi would work for this since that converts the component signal and the wii mini doesn't support component

[@theonebluedragon]

@CrashFan03 Ahh, you're right, that sucks. Why did Nintendo cripple the Mini so much? You can still use an RCA to HDMI converter, but the video quality is going to be bad. There is a Reddit of someone adding 480 HDMI to a Mini, but WOW, the amount of work and wires,not sure it is worth it.

[@NoJusticeNoPeace]

Why do you tack it down dry first, before adding flux? Does that help?

[@deltonviera2051]

Love your videos 😊😊