[eterpstra]

Similar story: I was at a friend's house, and we wanted to play Nintendo Wii. Tried to turn it on, but nothing happened. My buddy grabbed the power brick, tossed it in the microwave, and blasted it for 3 seconds. After plugging it back in, it started like nothing was wrong. I was flabbergasted (one: because WTF! who puts a power supply in a microwave? and two: OMG! it worked!)

[kbutler]

It worked because he did a Wii AC power adapter reset:

"The AC adapter must remain unplugged at both ends for a full two minutes."

https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/assets/js/doc_frame.jsp?f=...

The microwave was like customer support telling a caller to unplug the power cable and blow into the power socket.

[fnordfnordfnord]

Stupid Wii power supplies, these are known to be pieces of junk. I keep a spare for this reason. Simply letting it "rest" unconnected for some unknown duration also does the trick.

[outworlder]

That's probably an open polyfuse. Unlike the fuses of old, the new ones actually regenerate themselves (re-crystallize).

[fnordfnordfnord]

That is a good idea. I should have thought of that. Thanks.

[danielweber]

I heard it as the Wii power supplies are very protective against surges at the cost of being extremely sensitive to surges. I've done the "unplug it completely for a few minutes" to restore functionality a few times.

[fnordfnordfnord]

They are definitely too sensitive. Fortunately a second one may be had for less than ten bucks.

[kawsper]

It isn't the best of ideas to cook electronics in a oven also used for food.

[eterpstra]

One detail I forgot to mention: this was at the end of a very successful night of drinking.

[lifeformed]

Ah, now it all makes sense.