My Wii Won't Read SD Cards

The Nintendo Wii home video game console features internal memory for storing game saves, pictures and software downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel. However, in the event that a Wii owner needs more memory for storage, the console supports SD and SDHC cards. Offering the ability to expand a Wii's memory up to 32 GB, SD and SDHC cards can greatly increase the storage capacity for the console, aiding gamers with large amounts of content purchased from the Wii Shop Channel. In the event that a Wii console is not reading SD memory, a few quick steps can be taken to remedy the problem.

Check the system software version for your Wii console. The Wii must be updated to version 4.0 to read SDHC cards. Highlight the Wii menu icon at the bottom left of the Wii Channel screen and press "A." Highlight "Wii Settings" and press the "A" button. The software version installed will be displayed on the upper-right corner of the screen. Update the console if necessary. Highlight "Wii System Update" from the system settings menu and press "A." Confirm that you wish to update the system and press the "A" button to download and apply the update.

Note that Wii system updates require access to a wireless broadband Internet connection.

Remove the SD or SDHC card you wish to use for memory and verify that it is the proper capacity. The Wii console will only read SD cards with a maximum capacity of 2 GB and SDHC cards 32 GB or less. Cards surpassing these limits will not be compatible with the Wii console.

Insert your SD card in a computer to check the file format you wish to use with the Wii console. The Wii Photo Channel can read and display image, video and audio files, but only of compatible formats. The Wii will read JPEG image files, Quicktime video and MP3 audio files. All other files will show up as questions marks on the Wii Photo Channel and will not be compatible.