Wii Lens Cleaning advice

[racketboy]

So it seems that my Wii is having trouble reading discs now.
I’ve seen a couple YouTube videos and such that mention cutting some cardboard in the shape of a disc and putting items such as a tissue or bandages on the end. All of them kinda make me cringe so I’m hoping to ask the RB regulars what advice they have.
I’d feel better if some of the trusted members here give me some tips and tricks.
Thanks!

[CRTGAMER]

I lean towards no to any laser lens cleaning device. When I replaced the laser assembly on mine, the inside was immaculate, no dust at all. If a cleaning disc or cardboard cloth cleaner is inserted, that is physical contact on the sensitive tracking of the head. Too risky considering inside of the console never gets dusty. There is an official insert cleaner that is inserted similiar to a floppy drive shipping insert.though it or a cleaning disc should only be last resort perhaps if the reader no longer working. Usually at that stage the laser assembly reader needs replaced.

A replacement laser is inexpensive and cheaper then cleaner, though the change out a tricky process.

Wii Laser Replacement = http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 48#p621948

Not recommended, Official Nintendo Wii cleaner kit: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... g&_sacat=0

[Ziggy]

All of them kinda make me cringe

Yeah, that sounds cringe worthy.

I have the official Wii lens cleaning kit and it's absolutely perfect. If you can find it cheap, go with that. I wouldn't recommend sticking cardboard with some tissues stuck to it. Sounds like people are just trying to emulate what the official cleaning kit does.

The disassembly of the Wii isn't the easiest thing, but if you open it up you can just clean the lens the traditional way.

[samsonlonghair]

Three thoughts here:

1. I use a regular CD laser cleaner. I looks like a regular CD with the world's teeniest brush glued to the shiny side. It also has audio recorded on the disc to help balance your left and right speakers. I have used this guy to clean a number of different CD players, DVD player and game consoles over the last fifteen years. It works well. It's never caused any damage.

2. I see used Wii consoles for ten dollars all the time at Goodwill. You would spend less money on a used Wii than you would on parts.

3. I still encourage you to buy a WiiU if only for native HDMI support. Gamestop sells them for $149 used. I bought one on Craigslist for $100. It's time to treat yourself to an upgrade, dude.

[racketboy]

OK thanks for the feedback, everyone. This all makes sense and I'll be weighing my options.

I'm heavily considering the Wii U, but the Switch possibility is making that tricky too....

[Ziggy]

The thing about getting another Wii or even a Wii U is that eventually that lens will need cleaning too.

[ElkinFencer10]

Throw it in the washer with a half cup of bleach.

[racketboy]

The thing about getting another Wii or even a Wii U is that eventually that lens will need cleaning too.

Can’t say that didn’t cross my mind...

1. I use a regular CD laser cleaner. I looks like a regular CD with the world's teeniest brush glued to the shiny side. It also has audio recorded on the disc to help balance your left and right speakers. I have used this guy to clean a number of different CD players, DVD player and game consoles over the last fifteen years. It works well. It's never caused any damage. )

With the “always needing cleaning” thing on the mind, investing in a general-purpose cleaner might be good as well.

[racketboy]

Interestingly enough, doesn’t sound like all disc cleaners will work on a Wii — I think this one only has a cleaner brush on a certain track


From review:
“Product description says it's for "Game Consoles". This is not true. It can't be used for the wii, which I found out when I received it and it says specifically on the package that it doesn't work with the wii. I doubled checked the description. No mention of it not working for the wii.”

[Ziggy]

Those are really designed for top loading drives, such as the PS1 or similar. You can usually get away with using them in disc trays, such as a typical 5.25" desktop optical drive or a PS2 phat. It gets to be a lot more tricky with slot loading drives though, like the Wii.