If you are recycling an old laptop drive, the compatibility depends entirely on the enclosure's bridge chip. Enclosures utilizing ASMedia (ASM1153E) chips work flawlessly, while cheap, unbranded enclosures often fail to initialize.
Use a Y-cable (two USB ends into both ports) or an externally powered 3.5" HDD .
The Wii only reads homebrew backup data from USB Port 0. This is the bottom port when the Wii is laying flat, or the port closest to the outer edge when the Wii stands vertically.
Drop the model and chipset in the comments below to build the world’s only live exclusive compatibility database. usb loader gx usb compatibility list exclusive
While there is no single "exclusive" official list from the developers, the community-maintained USB Devices Compatibility List
USB Loader GX exclusively uses the bottom USB port (closest to the edge of the console) for hard drives. The top port is for accessories.
: Older, smaller models like the DT100 often work, but modern "Exodia" lines are frequently reported as incompatible. Known Incompatible Devices If you are recycling an old laptop drive,
This is the preferred method.
But most compatibility lists out there are either a decade old or simply say, “Try a Western Digital My Passport.”
Technical constraints affecting compatibility The Wii only reads homebrew backup data from USB Port 0
PNY Elite-X, Lexar JumpDrive, and any "Dual Drive" (USB-C + USB-A). These have aggressive power saving that causes the Wii to crash during cutscenes.
I can give you a tailored to your specific drive!
Understanding Your Storage Options: The Compatibility Breakdown