Topic: GamePad Analog Stick Problem

First, I live in Brazil and Nintendo has no local office in my country. They do have an assigned distributor that imports their stuff from the US and sells it here. The company has shown no love for my country either, seeing how the Wii U was released here one year late.
Even though everything seemed to be working fine with my Wii U, I have had an issue with the GamePad that's been really bothering me lately. The left analog stick seems to be stuck with something, it makes a weird noise whenever I try to move it, and it feels really uncomfortable to play. This has practically rendered my Wii U useless, and forced me buy a Pro Controller. The Pro Controller is great, but it can't really replace the GamePad. I'm really missing out on games that use the unique features of the touch screen.

Because I imported my Wii U, I don't think I can get warranty coverage in my country and I can't find a new GamePad for sale either. I tried contacting Nintendo of America directly, but I'm not sure how they can help me. Does anyone have an idea of how to solve this?

How about contacting the store where you bought it? Maybe that is covered in the warranty, if they gave you one.

I tried contacting them, but they said I should contact Nintendo directly. I knew this could happen when I imported the Wii U, but it is really frustrating now.

If they have a distributor in your country I don't see why they wouldn't help you. Try emailing Nintendo support about your issue. What do you have to lose

The only problem I see with going through with the store that you bought it from is that they might want you to return your Wii U for an exchange meaning that anything you have on it in the way of digital purchases you will loose, so be careful with that. There is no way of transferring your data unless you send it into Nintendo.

THe only thing I can suggestion is contact Nintendo and see what they suggest in the end it might be the most runabout way but it will be the safest. Other then that it sounds like you got something stuck in the stick and maybe you can find somewhere online to see how to open it up yourself and then you can remove the debris.

This is no longer true, Nintendo can do system transfers on their end without the physical consoles. My ex did exactly this with her Wii U, because she actually ruined it herself (she's clumsy like that), and went to the store to exchange it. All she had to provide to Nintendo was the serial numbers, and a scan of the receipt proving it was exchanged, and they transferred everything over.

To the OP, Nintendo has good customer service, as I had the gyroscope in my Gamepad replaced since Nintendo Land and lots of people can get a bit, erhm, "swingy" with the Gamepad. You just need to be patient and explain, I'm sure they'll help you!

Meanwhile, try using the GamePad D-pad, most games have given the same function for both of them

Sorry to hear about your problem, it does sound like a piece of grit or something like that has got stuck under the plastic around the stick, that's what I'm guessing it is anyway. I'm English so I've got no idea of what the law for this is in Brazil, but in England when you buy anything from a shop, no matter what it is, you have a 1 year warranty (unless the manufacturer gives you a longer one) so if anything goes wrong with the product within that year and it's not your fault, as long as you have the receipt you're entitled to a full refund or a replacement.

I'm guessing there must be some sort of warranty system in Brazil, so if the shop you bought it from won't help then I can't imagine Nintendo wouldn't, and as @ZyroXZ2 said Nintendo's customer service is brilliant.

Hope you get your Gamepad fixed soon, I love the Gamepad! Also hopefully Nintendo will set up a Nintendo Brazil HQ soon like they just did in Poland.

I have received a response from Nintendo of America. They do have a great customer service. They said I should try cleaning the L stick with a clean toothbrush. I will try doing that once I'm home. Unfortunately, because I imported my console from the US I was told that they wouldn't be able to repair it directly unless I had a friend or family who lived in the US and sent the GamePad to them.

Electronics in my country are really expensive, specially those that aren't manufactured here. The Wii U retails for R$1900 (that's $807 US Dollars). Even the PS3, which is manufactured in Brazil, is like $400.
So those like me who prefer to import these things are taking the risk of having no warranty if something goes wrong.

Anyway, I hope I can fix this just by cleaning the GamePad. Thanks for everyone who helped.

@Heiki hey there! another Brazilian!!

@Heiki I see so the fact that you imported it means there's no warranty? That's a shame but I've heard about the insane prices in Brazil so I don't blame you! So do they put huge tax on electronics? It seems extortionate (Just like petrol prices in England!)

I really feel for you guys in Brazil (and Australia and other countries). Why are games/electronics so expensive there?

Probably the lack of HQs in said countries........