Before starting

Prepare a four-digit PIN that affected users cannot easily guess. Initial setup also requires a secret question and answer. You can register an email address to help reset the PIN.

This procedure concerns parental controls in the Wii U Menu. Wii mode restrictions are not detailed here because Nintendo documents that mode separately.

1. Open parental controls

From the Wii U Menu, open Parental Controls. For first-time setup, start the console’s setup assistant.

First create a four-digit PIN. Enter it, then confirm it when asked.

2. Set recovery information

Next set a secret question and answer. Choose an answer the parent or guardian can remember without making it obvious to the restricted user.

If offered, register an email address accessible to the parent or guardian. It can be used to reset the PIN.

3. Open parental-control settings

To set restrictions, open Parental Controls, then select Parental Controls Settings. Enter the PIN if prompted.

Nintendo says different restrictions can be set for each user. When asked to choose a user, select the one to whom the settings should apply.

4. Choose appropriate restrictions

Review available categories and enable only restrictions matching your needs. Nintendo documents settings for game ratings, online interaction in games, the Internet Browser, adding friends, non-game content, software and data management, and Internet settings.

Available options depend on the console’s features. Nintendo says an update may be needed for all documented options.

Open a category, choose the desired restriction level and confirm before moving to the next category. Review the list before leaving to check that the chosen restrictions match the selected user.

5. Consider service-specific restrictions

Enabling parental controls automatically restricts adding users and formatting system memory. Some software also provides its own parental-control settings.

For software with specific settings, consult its documentation to understand the exact scope of those restrictions.

Change restrictions later

To change an existing configuration, open Parental Controls, then Parental Controls Settings. Enter the PIN if needed and select the relevant user.

Review that user’s restrictions and adjust them as needed. Select the user again before making changes to avoid modifying another profile.

If expected options are missing

• Check that you opened Parental Controls from the Wii U Menu.
• Check that you selected the correct user in settings.
• Remember that options depend on available console features.
• Check whether an update is needed for all options documented by Nintendo.
• For a software-specific setting, consult that software’s documentation.

Key points

• Setup starts in Parental Controls from the Wii U Menu.
• The PIN has four digits and must be confirmed during initial setup.
• A secret question is set for PIN recovery, with an optional email address.
• Restrictions can differ for each user.
• Available categories may depend on console functions and system software version.