WiiBrew:FAQ

This frequently asked questions page lists the most common problems associated with using Wii homebrew and does its best to provide solutions for you the reader. If you are having problems, chances are the solution to your problem(s) is present in this guide. Please at least skim through this guide before you ask your question to other people. Because, like I said before, the answers to your problems are most likely in here.

Before Installing Homebrew

What does this word mean?

We have a glossary of terms here: Glossary

Does Homebrew cost money?

No. Everything is absolutely free. If you have paid for homebrew, you have been scammed.

Will installing the Homebrew Channel hurt (brick) my Wii?

I have never seen it happen. Having said that, in the extremely unlikely event that it does happen, Team Twiizers may not be held responsible.

Is it illegal to install the Homebrew Channel?

No. But it will void your Wii's warranty.

Will Homebrew work on System Menu 3.4?

Yes.

Can I install homebrew on System Menu 4.0?

Yes, you can run and install homebrew on System Menu 4.0 with the new Bannerbomb exploit. You can run Bannerbomb to run the Hackmii Installer which can install the Homebrew Channel, DVDX, and Bootmii.

Will you help me install my modchip?

No. Modchips are not supported here.

What kind of an SD card should I use?

As long as they're formatted to FAT 16 (FAT) or FAT 32, most SD cards should work for you. All SD cards smaller than 256mb will not work for you because they are too small to be formatted properly. If you are still unsure which type of card to use, this page may help you: SD/SDHC Card Compatibility Tests.

What is the root of my SD card?

A place on your SD card that is not inside any folders.

Twilight Hack Questions

Can I use a backup of Twilight Princess?

You should be using a legitimate copy of the game. We do not support backups/piracy here.

Can I use the GameCube version of Twilight Princess?

No. You need the Wii version of the game.

I can not copy the Twilight Hack from my SD card to my Wii

Make sure you have a normal Twilight Princess save file in your Wii before you copy over the Twilight Hack. Also, it cannot be be copied if you are on firmware 4.0.

The Homebrew Channel will not install

Make sure you are using beta 2 of the Twilight Hack if you are on 3.4 firmware and beta 1 if you are on firmware below 3.4. Make sure you have the correct region of the Twilight Hack on your Wii.

Bannerbomb Questions

Why should I use Bannerbomb instead of the Twilight Hack?

System Menu 4.0 killed the Twilight Hack. Bannerbomb is currently the only exploit that works on an unmodded 4.0 firmware Wii. It is also capable of working on almost any System Menu ranging from 3.x - 4.0.

Bannerbomb is freezing on me, what do I do?

Below are some typical scenarios and options in case Bannerbomb freezes on you:

• If you are on a 4.0 System Menu, do not use the SD menu; instead go to Options -> Data Management -> Wii Channels -> SD Card.

• If Bannerbomb freezes before the prompt "Load boot.dol/elf?" try a different version.

• If you run Bannerbomb and get the prompt "Load boot.dol/elf?" and it then freezes, confirm that you have a boot.dol or boot.elf in the root of your SD card (same as with the Twilight Hack). If it is there, try another homebrew application, but most likely Bannerbomb will not work for you.

• If you are on any 3.x System Menu and you're having trouble running Bannerbomb, it would be best to stick to the Twilight Hack.

While Installing Homebrew

When installing the Homebrew Channel it fails to find boot.elf or boot.dol

Make sure the Homebrew Channels boot.dol file is in the root of your SD card. If that still does not solve your problem, try a different SD card. Some SD cards are simply not compatible with the Twilight Hack. All SD cards smaller than 256mb are not compatible with the Twilight Hack or Bannerbomb. Note: SDHC cards cannot be used to install the Homebrew Channel.

Where are my apps? The Homebrew Channel is only a screen with bubbles.

Make sure that you have these three basic things set up for apps on your SD card:

• There is a folder in the root of your SD card named apps. NOTE: apps is case sensitive. It can not be named APPS, aPpS or anything else other than apps in all lower case letters.

• Make sure that no more and no less than one folder is between the apps folder and the boot.dol or boot.elf file of an application.

• Make sure that each of your applications have a path that looks like: /apps/afolder/boot.dol or /apps/afolder/boot.elf

Also, make sure you are using a compatible SD or SDHC card. (The card you used to install the Homebrew Channel will also work to run apps from).

Invalid Wii App

Convert the .elf file of the application to a .dol file with the .elf to .dol converter tool.

After Homebrew Installation

Can I update my Shop Channel or my Mii Channel without updating the rest of my Wii?

WiiSCU will update those channels (and more) to the latest versions without updating your system menu. Yes, it updates to the 4.0 versions of the channels.

Is it safe to update my Wii?

Yes. The current updates will not ruin (brick) or hurt your Wii in any way. However, we recommend not updating since current updates will cause some applications to cease working correctly.

Is it safe to leave Wii Connect 24 on?

The answer to that is really up to you. If you're afraid of Nintendo updating you, leave it off. If you think Nintendo is all bark and no bite, then feel free to leave Wii Connect 24 on. Just to be on the safe side though, it is recommended that you leave Wii Connect 24 off.

I am looking for an app that...

Please refer to the complete list of Wii Homebrew Applications here: Homebrew Applications List If you can not find an application that does what you are looking for it is either 1) Not supported by WiiBrew or 2) It doesn't exist. NOTE: New applications are being created just about every week so check back often.

Downgrading?

The best possible firmware for homebrew users is 3.2. If you are unable to install a legal cIOS (PatchMii) or downgrade via tona's AnyRegion Changer, you can not downgrade legally. In that case, don't talk downgrading here. If you are able to downgrade legally, WiiBrew still recommends not downgrading with a certain downgrader (not named AnyRegion Changer) because that downgrader does not actually downgrade everything like it claims to. In short: We recommend downgrading with AnyRegion Changer or not downgrading at all.

For Even More Help

This FAQ sucks! It didn't solve my problems!

Please refer to all three of these WiiBrew pages for further assistance:

Twilight Hack

Homebrew Channel

Step-By-Step Homebrew Guide

I still have problems/questions/concerns

Please post a topic in our WiiBrew Forums and you will be assisted shortly after.

I don't have time to read or post a topic! I need help NOW!!! Like, this-instant NOW!!!

Please go to the IRC. The server is EFNET. The channel is #wiihelp. If you do not have an IRC client you may use mibbit to access the IRC with this link: Mibbit WebIRC.

Help With Gecko OS

I need help of how to install Gecko OS. I put the files in my "apps" folder but it doesn't show up on homebrew.ANy ideas what cause this —Preceding unsigned comment added by AndyVHome (talk • contribs)

See the Step-By-Step Homebrew Guide. Make sure the path is SD:\apps\Gecko OS\boot.dol". --bg4545 20:16, 26 June 2009 (UTC)

I dod all the following. Is the apps folder supposed to be in the wii folder