Wii U Smart DNS Services Compared
The Wii U is primarily known as a games console and serves as the successor to the original Wii system. It is the first Nintendo home entertainment device to offer full high definition support and, through the Nintendo TVii app, also allows video media to be streamed directly onto a HD television, for maximum quality.
A number of video on demand services are supported, including Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video. However, all of these services detect a user's region by analysing their internet settings, with no option for manual switching. Customers are, therefore, strictly limited to being able to watch the content offered in their own region.
Thankfully, Smart DNS technology provides the means to get around this issue, enabling Wii U owners to change their region settings at will and gain access previously unreachable content.
Best Smart DNS Services to use on Wii U
» View the Step-by-Step Smart DNS Setup Tutorial for Wii U
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- 1 Month: $4.90
- 3 Months: $12.90
- 12 Months: $39.90
- 24 Months: $49.90
- Life Time: $150
- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Mac OS X,
- Nexus Player,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sonos,
- Sony Smart TV,
- Toshiba Smart TV,
- WDTV,
- Wii,
- Wii U,
- Windows,
- Windows 10,
- Windows Phone 8,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
30 Days Moneyback Guarantee
- 1 Month: $4.95/Mo
- 6 Months: $4.58/Mo
- 12 Months: $4.16/Mo
- 24 Months: $3.29/Mo
Smart DNS
In simple terms, Smart DNS works by redirecting part of a customer's internet connection, sending it through a proxy server elsewhere. The consequence of this process of redirection is that the user's internet connection is made to appear as if it stems from the location of the proxy server instead.
As a result, apps, websites and other online services using automatic region detection can be fooled. For instance, a Netflix customer in the United Kingdom can connect to a Smart DNS proxy server in the United States and gain access to the US content library, greatly expanding the range of television shows and films available to them.
The technology was intentionally designed so that it could be used with streaming video services and does not cause internet connections to slow down. Smart DNS services each have a list of supported services and DNS redirection only occurs when accessing one of them. All other internet activity is unaffected and the user's local IP is unchanged.
After registering with the Smart DNS provider of your choice, you will be given new DNS settings, which must be input onto the Wii U console in order to use the service. To do this, follow the instructions below. It may also be worth taking a note of your old DNS settings, just in case you ever wish to switch back to them again in the future.
- From the main menu, select 'System Settings'.
- Scroll to the 'Internet' icon, press the 'A' button and choose 'Connect to the Internet'.
- Select 'Connections' from the top right corner, then choose the connection you wish to configure from the list.
- Go to 'Change Settings', press the arrow button on the right and then select 'DNS'.
- Choose the 'Do Not Obtain' option and enter the DNS settings given to you by your Smart DNS service provider.
- Press 'Confirm' to complete this part of the setup process.
Upon completing the above steps, it is important to reboot the console before proceeding further. Once the console has restarted, you can use the internet browser to log in to your Smart DNS client area and check that the connection has been established. However, there is one more step left to complete.
IP Address Entry
The final step of the setup process involves adding your external IP address to the database of your Smart DNS service provider. In the majority of cases, this can be achieved by signing in to your Smart DNS account through the Wii U's internet browser and then clicking on an activation link.
In other instances, however, the IP address will need to be added manually. The IP address is not listed under the Wii U's internet settings, but can be found by entering "my ip address" into Google or by using an IP lookup website. Once found, take a note of it, go to the Smart DNS provider's website and follow their instructions.
It should be noted that unless a static address is being used, your IP address can change on a regular basis. Each time this happens, IP address entry must be repeated in order to continue benefiting from the use of Smart DNS.
Start Using Smart DNS
Once the IP address has been successfully verified, you are ready to utilise the Smart DNS service. You can adjust your region settings and a variety of other options by accessing your client area through the Wii U's internet browser. Close the browser once you have done so.
The next time you load up a streaming media service, you should gain access to the content library available in the region you selected. If you wish to switch regions again, you must close down any apps first.