Wii Disc Drive Grinding or Buzzing - How to Fix / Easy Fix

[@aezye2050]

Actually got a Gamecube compatible Wii for my 30th birthday 2 years ago, as I've missed old N64 games that were released to GC. It made this exact noise, and I found several different causes for it. With no means at hand to remove the tri-wing screws, I put it aside. Bought the tools about a year back, and put them aside too. Saw your video and decided to give it a go, it was barely visible but corrected the arm best I could. Shrugged and assembled it again. I've now enjoyed my old favorite game Ocarina of Time for a few days and finally got to show my gf what's so great about the game! Thank you mr sir, invaluable guidance!

[@Leonsk08]

That's awesome. I'm glad this helped you get your system back in working order. The Wii is still a great machine, especially when you factor in the homebrew scene - it just opens so many more options. Since you fixed your drive and mentioned GCN compatability, I assume you were playing Master Quest - great game. If you are running composite or component video and want to upgrade to HDMI, I suggest you look into picking up a Mayflash Wii HDMi adapter. I personally tried a cheapo one and it had all sorts analog video noise scrolling across the screen where as the Mayflash one was perfect. Happy gaming.

[@xtreme8797]

I had the same issue with my Wii. It doesn’t make the noise when I play Wii sports but other Wii games does make that sound. How you align it?

[@Leonsk08]

Hi, it sounds like you have other issues with your disc drive. If I had to guess I would say since Wii Sports is likely much smaller in size compared to other full titled games, the laser mechanism doesn't need to travel/access different areas of the disc. Perhaps this is why it only makes noise with certain games. Good luck with the fix.

[@xtreme8797]

@@Leonsk08 I think it’s cause I’ve left the Wii sports in there since Covid and didn’t leave it out until like early this year. So maybe now the machine is only used to the Wii sports disc alone.

[@Leonsk08]

@xtreme8797 Lol. Well, let's hope it's not a Wii Sports only console now. Sounds like you may need to poke around in there and see what's going on.

[@xtreme8797]

@@Leonsk08 so I searched in my house and noticed I had another broken spare Wii but yesterday I put the same disc in and tested if the other Wii made the noise but nope it didn’t. So I’m going to swap the arm part as u demonstrated in the video.

[@Leonsk08]

@xtreme8797 if the drives are the same, perhaps you can just replace the drive itself?

[@Mrmoonman64]

now what if I left it go? will it do any harm to my Wii?

[@Leonsk08]

Lol. Unscrew the arm piece that retains the high speed white disc in place? I can imagine the beautiful carnage it would cause.

[@Mrmoonman64]

@@Leonsk08 no I meant what if I didn't do anything to it at all. would it effect it?

[@Leonsk08]

@star man Okay. If I had to wager a guess, I imagine it would make a horrible noise until it clearanced itself. However, since the fix is simple, I would attempt to correct it before it compromised the integrity of the white disc that centers the disc on the dvd-drive motor.

[@GameparkGames]

I'm in 2020 and can't figure out my problem, no game inside and now it's buzzing for no reason

[@Leonsk08]

Great Scott, a time traveler! Ok, listen up, if I were in the year 2020, I would check the fan as it is the only moving part while the disc drive isn't operating. The disc drive should only make audible noises when a disc is inside or inserted. If the fan is good I would only have to assume it is the disc drive itself. You can either replace it or open in it and investigate. If removing/disconnecting the disc drive eliminates the buzzing, that narrows the issue to the drive itself. Also, if you travel further in time again, you may be able to figure out what you did to rectify the situation and thus, you will not need help from the past (me) or to perform any probing at all. Unlocking the mysteries of the space time continuum, and yet still puzzled by the predicaments of the Nintendo Wii, most intriguing.

[@izehumaheyiba2182]

@@Leonsk08 I should update my wii drivers this time.

[@Noahandallison]

I am here from the year 2023 with two kids looking to play Wii and a noisy drive ejecting discs. Thank you friend from the past for your help. Hope it works.

[@claypittman1210]

Thank you

[@Leonsk08]

Assuming this fixed your issue, you're welcome. :)

[@claypittman1210]

@@Leonsk08 yes but may you know how to possibly fix the tapping when loading/playing a game... is it possibly something loose?

[@Leonsk08]

@@claypittman1210 I'm not quite sure as I haven't personally dealt with that issue. I would run a game with the Wii's shell off so that you may be able to see what's causing the issue.

[@nickautomotivegameunboxing1578]

Are wii systems supposed to make a lot of noise when you're playing them like the games for example like are you supposed to hear the disk drive making lots of like loading sounds when playing ? Plz respond no one knows gamestop is dumb as shit when I ask lol

[@Leonsk08]

La Mesa Automotive game unboxing Yes, you will probably hear an audible noise when games load, but it shouldn't be irritatingly loud. When you put in a disc and the game starts to load, that is pretty much as loud as it gets. You can see here in the video that the game is spinning and while audible, it's not very loud, even with the top cover removed.

[@nickautomotivegameunboxing1578]

Leon K it should not keep doing that then when its playing just when loading right ?

[@Leonsk08]

La Mesa Automotive game unboxing When a game loads, the laser physically moves to find the data on the disc, as it spins. With that said, the disc drive will make an audible noise whenever data is being fetched from the disc. Also, the Wii had different drives, and some drives could be more acoustic. On another note, some of these Wii consoles are approaching eleven years of age and could be showing signs of age. Personally, I still have my original launch Wii -- that I stood in line for in 2006 -- and it's still operating without any issues. It has even been dropped a couple of times from a height of about four feet. :D

[@nickautomotivegameunboxing1578]

Leon K I'll just swap it out at game stop get a another I just got it yesterday so lol thanks so much I'm subbing to your you tube great video thanks if I have a another problem I'll ask you thanks

[@Leonsk08]

La Mesa Automotive game unboxing Thanks. By the way, Im not sure if it matters to you, but in case you didn't know there are two different Wii's that look physically similar at a glance. One is compatible with Gamecube games, while the other is not. If you value Gamecube support, be sure to pick one up that has Gamecube controller ports on the left side of the console. Currently, the Wii is the best way to play Gamecube games because it has component video output. Early model Gamecube consoles have component video, but the cable is propietary, rare, and very expensive, costing hundreds. This is off topic but there is someone who custom makes aftermarket HDMI/Progressive video (component like) adapters for the Gamecube that work, but as of now, it isn't perfected and could ruin your Gamecube.

[@jordanaguilar1734]

💀 thank you

[@Leonsk08]

👼 You're welcome.