In order to turn on your Wii, you will need components that came in your Wii's box. These are: The Nintendo Wii console, the AV cord, the power cord, Wii sensor bar, Wii remote and Wii stand (optional).

First, plug the Wii sensor bar into your Wii console. Place the Wii sensor bar either above or below your television screen. There is a device that can be used to help mount the Wii sensor bar on modern TVs. Remember where you placed the Wii sensor bar (above or below), as you will need this information prior to playing a game (not covered in this article).

Next, plug the AV cord (or component cord) into your Wii console, and then into your television, matching the red, white, and yellow jacks accordingly. Older televisions may have a black outlet instead of a white outlet. It is okay to plug the white jack into the black outlet.

Finally, plug the power cord into the Wii console and then into the wall. You are now ready to turn on your Wii. You may at this time put the Wii in the grey stand, but this is merely for aesthetic purposes.

The Wii has an operating system user interface that does not require the insertion of a game. However, if you do insert a game, you will turn on your Wii automatically. This is the first way to turn on your Wii. If you cannot see the Wii's user interface, ensure your television is turned on and that it is set to the appropriate input, as per your AV cable connection. If you inserted the disc upside down, please insert it upside right.

The second way to turn on your wii is through the Wii's remote. In the upper left hand corner of the Wii's remote (also called a Wii-mote), you will see a power button. Push this and the Wii will turn on. If you have not inserted the included batteries into the Wii's remote, please do so now. Then you may push the button to turn on the Wii.

The third way to turn on your Wii is by pressing the power button on the Wii itself.

You will see that the Wii is on by the green light on the power button (and presence of the Wii's user interface on your television). If the light is red, the Wii is in standby mode, which is "not on" for all intents and purposes. If the light is yellow, that means that you are connected to WiiConnect24 (not covered by this article), but that the Wii is still in standby mode.

To turn off the Wii, reverse the process for each method, barring the first. Ejecting your disc will not turn off the Wii. One of two things will happen: while playing a game, you will be asked to reinsert the disc or while in the main menu, the Disc Channel's graphic will change from one appropriate to the disc that was inserted to a blank disc.