How to Unsync a Wii Remote

The Nintendo Wii console uses remote controls. In order for these Wii remotes to communicate with the console, they must be synchronized to the console. At some point you might want to undo the synchronization. For instance, you might want to unsync a damaged remote to replace it with a new one. You may also want to temporarily unsync remotes to reset them. Since standard synchronization assigns remotes a play order for multi-player games, temporarily unsyncing remotes lets you then employ a one-time, temporary synchronization where you can assign the player remote order you desire.

Undo Standard Synchronization

Turn on the television to which the Wii console is connected.

Turn off power to the Wii console by pressing the console's "Power" button. The power LED will change color from green to red, but will not go out.

Unplug the console, wait five to ten seconds, then plug it back in.

Find the "Sync" button on the console. Look for a flap located between the "Reset" and "Eject" buttons. Open the flap to reveal the red "Sync" button.

Turn on power to the console. Wait for the initial Wii notices screen to appear on the television.

Press the "Sync" button on the console down for 15 seconds minimum. You have now completely cleared the synchronization memory of the console and can sync or re-sync remotes.

Remove the battery covers from each Wii remote you want to synchronize with the console. On each remote you'll find a small red button under the battery compartment cover. This is the remote's sync button.

Press the red button for the remote you want to always be assigned to Player 1. The blue LED player lights on the remote will blink.

Press the red "Sync" button on the console. Don't hold it down this time. Just press it. Wait for the LED lights on the remote to stop blinking, which means you succeeded in syncing the remote.

Press the "Sync" button on the next remote and then on the console again until you have synchronized all the remotes in the order you desire.

Temporarily Unsync

Power on the Wii console.

Press "Home" on a remote. It is the round button with a blue icon of a house.

Point the remote at the resulting screen to choose the bottom section that says, "Wii Remote Settings."

Choose the rectangle that says "Reconnect." The screen will display "Disconnecting." You'll hear two quick rings, then the screen will instruct you to simultaneously press the "1" and "2" buttons on your remote.

Hold down both round "1" and "2" buttons on the remote you'd like to be played by Player 1. Hold these until the television and your remote make a noise and the player LED light on the remote stops blinking. The first square of the LED player lights will stay lit, signalling you have temporarily synced that remote as Player 1.

Press the "1" and "2" buttons for each remote you want to temporarily synchronize, each in turn, in the player order you desire.

Turn off power to the Wii console to end the one-time synchronization. Each remote that was temporarily synced will return to its original synchronization settings.