Version 5.5.2 U:
Released July 17th, 2017

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.5.1 U:
Released January 11th, 2016

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.5.0 U
Released August 17th, 2015

Changes to the Wii U Menu and HOME Menu:

The Nintendo TVii icon has been removed from the Wii U Menu and HOME Menu. For more information regarding the end of this service, click here.
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.4.0 U:
Released June 8th, 2015

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.3.2 U:
Released December 5th, 2014

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.3.1 U:
Released December 1st, 2014

Mario Kart 8 highlight reel upload fix:

Resolved an issue that resulted in some users receiving error code 104-1852 while uploading a Mario Kart 8 highlight reel to YouTube
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.3.0 U:
Released November 10th, 2014

Changes to System Settings:

amiibo Settings has been added to System Settings. amiibo Settings allows users to register an amiibo owner and nickname, delete data written to an amiibo by supported software, or reset an amiibo
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.2.0 U:
Released September 29th, 2014

Changes to the Wii U Menu:

Folders can now be created in the Wii U Menu to hold and organize software icons
A Download Management icon has been added to the Wii U Menu
Changes to Quick Start Menu:

The Quick Start Menu will now display when the Wii U is powered on from the Wii U GamePad TV Remote
Options have been added to Power Settings that allow users to hide certain software from the Quick Start Menu
Changes to the HOME Menu:

The design and layout of the HOME Menu has been updated
Changes to the Nintendo eShop:

Disabled usage of characters not used when redeeming Nintendo eShop cards (O, I, Z, etc.)
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.1.2 U
Released August 18th, 2014

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.1.1 U
Released August 4th, 2014

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.1.0 U
Release July 21st, 2014

New Features:

Wii U to Wii U System Transfer
Users can now transfer (move) all software and data from one Wii U to another
A “System Transfer” option has been added within System Settings
Click here for additional information on this feature
Changes to Nintendo eShop:

Users can now navigate the Nintendo eShop using a Wii Remote, Wii U Pro Controller, or Classic Controller
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 5.0.0 U
Released June 2nd, 2014

New Features:

A Quick Start Menu is now displayed when users press the GamePad POWER Button or HOME Button to power on the Wii U
Wii U GamePad Alerts (special notifications from Nintendo) can be displayed on the GamePad when the Wii U is powered down
Changes to Standby Functions:

System updates will now automatically install after download when the Wii U is in Standby
Changes to the Wii U Menu:

The User Settings screen now displays when users select their User Mii from the Wii U Menu
The design and layout of the Users Settings screen has been updated
Changes to System Settings:

Quick Start Menu options have been added to Power Settings
Changes to the HOME Menu

A Notification icon is now available on the HOME Menu, allowing users to launch the Notifications feature from the HOME Menu
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 4.1.0 U
Released March 31, 2014

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 4.0.3 U
Released February 24, 2014

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 4.0.2 U
Released November 18th, 2013

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

Version 4.0.0 U
Released September 30th, 2013

New Features:

A feature to output video and sound to the Wii U GamePad when using Wii Mode.
A feature to automatically receive recommended software and demo titles from Nintendo using SpotPass.
Support for USB keyboards.
An option to disable use of a Nintendo Network ID on non-Nintendo hardware
Support for Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound when playing Wii software.
Changes to Wii U Menu

Added a friend list icon to the Wii U Menu for easier access to the Friend List
Changes to System Settings:

An option to automatically receive recommended software is now available under "Internet"
A setting to select which cable outputs sound is available through "TV"
Users can choose to output sound through an HDMI cable, non-HDMI cable, or both cables at the same time. Click here for instructions
A setting to adjust the hourly interval in which standby functions are performed is available under "Power Settings" when Standby Functions are enabled
Changes to Wii U Chat:

Added the option to view a friend's profile on Miiverse when sending or receiving a chat request
Users can now chat using a headset connected to the Wii U GamePad
Changes to Internet Browser:

Pressing the R or L Buttons on the Wii U GamePad will skip video playback forward/back a small amount of time
Holding the R Button will speed up video playback
Ability to save username and passwords for websites that require login*
Ability to launch the Internet Browser during gameplay and upload screenshots
Added support for viewing PDF files*
Added features intended for website developers that allow the user to enable developer tools and set user agent.
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 3.1.0 U:
Released July 10th, 2013

Improvements to Standby Functions:

The standby functions will now regularly connect to the Internet when the Wii U is powered down to check for available SpotPass data or software and system updates. Software updates will be installed while the Wii U is powered down, and system updates will be installed the next time the Wii U is powered on. For further detailed information, click here.
Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

Version 3.0.1 U
Released: May 20th, 2013

Further improvements to overall system stability and software compatibility

Version 3.0.0 U
Released: April 25th, 2013

New Features:

A standby function to download and install software while the system is powered off
Software purchased from the Nintendo eShop will automatically install in the background once the download is complete
Holding down the B Button while the Wii U logo is displayed during startup will load the Wii Menu*1
Changes to System Settings:

An option to transfer and/or copy between two USB storage devices in "Data Management"
The ability to select multiple software titles when transferring, copying, or deleting data in "Data Management"
The option to adjust screen size is now available under "TV" *2
"Auto Power-Down" has been renamed "Power Settings"
Changes to Miiverse

Changes to Nintendo eShop

Changes to the Internet Browser

Changes to Download Management

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

*1 User selection may be necessary

*2 A similar option has been removed from Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, and the Internet Browser

Version 2.1.3 U
Released: March 4th, 2013

Further improvements to overall system stability have been made.*

Version 2.1.0 U
Released: December 4, 2012

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

Version 2.0.0 U
Released: November 18, 2012

Added new Network features

Nintendo Network ID creation and linking feature
"Miiverse" *1
"Nintendo eShop" *1
"Internet Browser"
"Friends List" *1
"Wii U Chat" *1
"Notification List"
"Download Management"
"Wii System Transfer" *2
Software update feature *3
USB storage device feature
*1 In order to use those features, you will need to register Nintendo Network ID.

*2 You can use this feature in Wii Menu.

*3 Update feature is available only for the software which has update data.

Ver. 1.0.1 U or 1.0.2 U
Released: Launch

This is the default system software version included with every Wii U at launch in the North American market.

It is highly recommended that owners of Wii U consoles perform the latest system update to get the latest system software version.

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience