Reddit reviews HDE (TM) Ethernet LAN Adapter for Nintendo Wii USB Port

For the majority of people, Wi-Fi is good enough, even if they might be in a situation that Ethernet would be easy enough to set up. Really, it's just a design decision. Less stuff in the system, less to pay for, and cheaper to produce. It helps that most people would use Wi-Fi anyway.

As for using Ethernet, you'll want a USB Ethernet adapter. Just about any of them work, provided they don't require an extra driver to be installed. I've been using this one for a few months now without issue. Good and fast too. Once you've got one, go to your system settings and change to a wired connection.

You do realize that there is no LAN adapters in the page you just linked.

Also OP, this one here should be fine.

I am not using a 1st party adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XWD1G2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Had that since 2014 and works great with Switch.

This so much. I live in small town USA, which has very limited internet compared to a lot of the US (9mbps down/0.5mbps up), but use a LAN network adapter for my Wii U and rarely have issues during my matches in Splatoon or Smash 4 (the two Wii U games I primarily play online). It makes a very large difference, WiFi is no where near as reliable as a good old fashioned hard line for internet access. This is the LAN adapter I got (it was cheaper than the official stuff at the time) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XWD1G2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and have been really happy with it. Says its for the Wii, but will work with the Wii U just fine.

http://www.amazon.ca/Plugable-Ethernet-Network-Chromebook-Specific/dp/B00484IEJS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420521458&sr=8-2&keywords=ethernet+wii+u

I live in Canada and I just bought this one a week ago for my new Wii U; it works perfectly. I have had no problems with it and it works right out of the box, plug-and-play. Made my connection much better for Smash Bros.

If this is the one you are referring to: http://www.amazon.ca/HDE%C2%AE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420521583&sr=8-1&keywords=ethernet+hde+wii+u

As long as it says it is specifically compatible with the Wii U, which it does (and so do the reviews), then you should be fine to get this one too. I can just personally vouch for the Plugable Technologies one.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Connection/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1457980724&sr=8-4&keywords=wii+u+ethernet

My down/up aren't nearly as high on the console as they are on every other device in my household, but they're more than adequate.

I've done a tiny bit of research, and from what I understand, up/down speeds aren't super important in online gaming; ping is. I've pinged my Wii U a few times, and it's always within acceptable gaming parameters, with 0% packet loss. I can't say as much for the people I'm matched up with, though, and that, I assume, is the reason for the input lag I experience.

I have no idea how matchmaking works in the game, but the logical assumption, it being 2014 and all, is that location is taken into account when choosing who to match with whom. If that is, indeed, the case, then I'm just really unlucky and keep getting matched against people with high ping.

This is clearly an issue with either the console or the game, as every other online game I play has zero input lag. Either way, it's out of my hands, as is, for now, my controller.

EDIT: Just ran a couple more tests. Had the same ping with and without the LAN adapter, and actually had double the down speed (same up) without the LAN adapter.

Lesson learned: Avoid this LAN adapter.

I tried the one from DHE and it only worked for about two weeks. Luckily, when I contacted them about it the response was quick and I was refunded the purchase without having to send the faulty unit back.

After that, I ended up going with the official Nintendo adapter on Play-Asia.com (currently only $24). It's been working for over a year now without any problems. I think it's worth the extra money. It's from Japan but it works on my NA Wii U.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XWD1G2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

I have one and it works great!

GameStop

http://m.gamestop.com/catalog/product/102935

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003XWD1G2/ref=pd_aw_sims_3?pi=SL500_SS115&simLd=1

It will work even if its 3rd party. Its a pretty basic/common adapter

I use this one.

I wouldn't know what to recommend, I haven't used any 10/100/1000Mbps USB3.0 ethernet adapters.

The adapter I've been using with my wii u for the past 2+ years is a HPE-branded 10/100Mbps USB2.0 model (this one - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XWD1G2/). I assume it will work with the switch (can't think of any reason why it wouldn't), and plan to give it a try, but I can't guarantee compatibility 100%. I'm not planning to game online with the switch, so even if it doesn't work, eh, I'm not too concerned about it. I have good 5Ghz AC wifi to fall back on.

This is what I did to ensure excellent online experience

1. Check that your TV has GAME MODE "on"
   
   
2. Use a WiiU Lan Adapter
   
   
3. Call your internet provider to ensure that your speed is infact, what it should be - also using an internet speed test (try CNET's)
   
   
4. Check your modem/router. I bought a new router which was vastly superior to my old Belkin POS
   
   
5. test your connection with other devices (maybe WiiU hardware issue)
   
   
6. ensure your family/SO isn't hogging the bandwidth while you play.

You could try an ethernet adapter for your dock. I'm also on fiber but have no lag docked or in handheld, so your mileage might vary.
https://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Network-Adapter-Ethernet-Connection-Converter/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1496530101&sr=1-5&keywords=wii+u+usb+to+ethernet

Not sure there's that much variety. This (http://www.amazon.com/Support-UtechSmart-Ethernet-Chromebook-Specific/dp/B00F41TWAO/ref=zg_bs_13983791_10) is the best selling highest rated one on amazon, but I'm pretty sure this is the one officially endorsed by Nintendo (http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1416550970&sr=1-1&keywords=wii+u+lan+adapter).

I doubt you could go wrong wither way, they both seem pretty solid.

the Wii LAN Adapter and similar third-party USB peripherals are compatible with the Wii U. it's a USB LAN adapter with an Ethernet port. you plug the Ethernet cable into the adapter, plug the Adapter into the Wii U, plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into your router/modem/etc., set up Wired Connections on your Wii U options, and if everything works you should be good to go.

this is what I own. I don't know where to find a first-party version. here's a cheaper alternative but I can't speak for its reliability.

I caved and bought an ethernet cable and LAN adaptor for the Spongebob v Patrick Splatfest. Best $28.47 I've ever spent! I get additional value from it since I love playing MK8 online.

I was also getting some really awful network speeds on my Wii U. I ended up picking up a USB Wired Network adapter and that seems to have fixed the problem entirely.

I personally have one. It's definitely way more comforting to use than wireless. I believe most people have this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XWD1G2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have this one

The number one thing I recommend is to get a wired network adapter. I grabbed one of them off Amazon for like $10 and haven't regretted it.

With ZombiU, you'll have to go into the game settings and tell it to pump the sound out of the controller. You will have to use both the controller and monitor to play the game though.

With MH3U, after you update the game, you can go into the settings and enable Type 2 for the controller for off-screen play. This will make all the audio for the game come out of the controller, and the controller will mirror the monitor. You can turn off the monitor and just use the controller, or you can use the monitor and not look at the controller, whichever is more convenient for you. (With Type 1, the monitor will show the game and the controller will show some touchscreen options, sorta like you're playing a giant 3DS. I forget if audio comes out of the controller in this case or not.)

Btw, I recommend using some nice headphones with the gamepad, as well as setting the sound output for the gamepad to surround.

I have this and it works great:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XWD1G2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually bought a generic wii lan adapter similar to this. However, the brand I got was HDE . I was lucky that people were asking questions about it because it was there i figured out it worked for the Wii U. In my case, there was no issue with this one. It worked right out of the box bag. I can't say anything about the one you currently have, but I can say that not all the offbrand ones have this issue.

Dunno, but apparently I I still have the amazon links to the ones I've used:

Pluggable

HDE

I bought this one a couple of months ago, and it's been fantastic for me.

I have this one. Works fine for me for Smash Bros online.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419808080&sr=8-2&keywords=wii+u+ethernet

Haven't personally used one, but i was planning on getting one for a while to deal with my school's lack of wifi. these both seem like a good options:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F41TWAO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2IP7QSC5EI0LN&coliid=I3U0N9KMYHCT96&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1414376064&sr=1-1&keywords=wii+lan+adapter

This has a good user rating http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414361330&sr=8-1&keywords=wii+lan+adapter

Hello!

With smash impending, I want to pick up a wifi adapter for my wii u. I've looked on http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu/accessories

but it doesn't list any, and Amazon has a ton of options:

this one is well reviewed http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1415806712&sr=1-1&keywords=wii+u+ethernet+adapter

but I don't have any experience with HDE. Could anyone offer any input?

Thanks!

http://www.amazon.ca/HDE%C2%AE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416343427&sr=8-1&keywords=wii+ethernet this good?

I've heard that 3rd party network adapters like that one work with both PC and Wii/U/Switch. Is this true? I'd love to have the option for the consoles and my MacBook since the newer models don't have a CATV port.

Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. :)

I bought a knockoff for about $8 USD made for the Wii. Mine looks like this but mine's not even name brand and this one is on sale.. Typically you use this when your wireless router doesn't give a strong enough signal. I hear a lot of people doing absolutely fine with modern routers.

I have one. It's pretty cool. It works. It's super fast. You can probably go for a third party one though. Nintendo claims only theirs works, but this one is the one I have, and it works just dandy

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Ethernet-Adapter-Nintendo-Wii-Port/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1397853439&sr=1-1&keywords=wii+ethernet+adapter

http://www.amazon.com/Cmple-Ethernet-Cable-CAT6-30-48/dp/B000QZ0036/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1397853515&sr=1-2&keywords=cat6+cable

boom fast internet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XWD1G2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00F41TWAO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=R0CXZ7KPR9Z7VJH6R891

I've been using this one for about 7-8 months now, works flawlessly. Zero problems.

Well apparently Nintendo doesn't sell its own version anymore, but you can get fully functional 3rd party adapters for around $10 on Amazon. Just search for 'Wii Lan Adapter' - you'll find models like this one.