This is the easiest solution for people who have limited networking knowledge to block their Wii U from updating when connected to the internet. Essentially we are going to use a 3rd party DNS server to block Wii U updates, instead of your own router. A DNS server is like the phone book of all devices on the internet. When your computer / games console asks the DNS server where digiex.net is located for example, the DNS server responds and tells your computer / games console the IP address of digiex.net. We are going to use a special DNS server that allows any normal internet traffic on your Wii U, however when certain Nintendo servers are requested which contain updates the DNS server will tell your Wii U the server doesn't exist, meaning the Wii U will not be able to update. The IP address of this DNS server is 107.211.140.065, this is also known as the TubeHax DNS. The DNS server is run by Smealum who is a respected 3DS hacker, it was originally designed to allow the YouTube app to be exploited on the Nintendo 3DS, however it can also block the Wii U from updating it's self. If you know how to change the DNS settings on your Wii U then you simply want to change the DNS servers to the following: Primary DNS server: 081.004.127.020 Secondary DNS server: 000.000.000.000 Note 1: As of 27/12/19 the previous DNS servers are no longer working, neither is the Chncdcksn Hax dns server. So change your primary DNS server to 081.004.127.020 if you have previously followed this tutorial. Note 2: If you have more than one network connection configured on your Wii U, you must change the DNS settings for all connections. If you are unsure on how to do this I have created a screenshot walk through below. First you must go to the System settings on the Wii U: Click on Internet: Click on connect to the internet: If you have no internet connection set-up you will have to go though the process of setting a connection up, if it's a wireless connection you will be asked to choose the wireles as network and enter the key to connect to the network, you then want to look for the DNS settings as your doing this. If you already have a connection setup on the Wii U or a wired connection, then click the Connection List in the top right hand corner: Choose your connection, if you have multiple i'd personally delete all but one, however you can have more than one connection you just need to be 101% sure you change the DNS settings on all the connection's setup on the Wii U: Here I am going to click on the only connection I have setup: Click Change Settings: DNS will likely be on auto, click on it to change: Select do not auto obtain: Change the Primary DNS to: 35.164.240.189 Change the Secondary DNS to: 000.000.000.000 Note: the 107.211.140.065 DNS server shown in the screenshot no longer works, so use 35.164.240.189as mentioned above instead. Now go back: If you have multiple connection's you would now repeat the above for all connections configured on the Wii U, when finished go back again: That's it you are done, Wii U updates should now be blocked, remember you are trusting a third party to keep your updates blocked by doing this. If at all possible you want to block access to the following Nintendo servers directly on your home router. nus.cdn.c.shop.nintendowifi.net nus.cdn.shop.wii.com nus.cdn.wup.shop.nintendo.net nus.wup.shop.nintendo.net nus.c.shop.nintendowifi.net c.shop.nintendowifi.net cbvc.nintendo.net cbvc.cdn.nintendo.net However the DNS solution provided above has worked well for many people. Now you have blocked updates if you have a Wii U on firmware 5.3.3 or lower you can hack your Wii U and use the homebrew channel. FAQ: Q: Can I still play on-line? A: Yes you can still play on-line fine if your game has the latest update, if your game need's updating you will have to do this manually. If you try to update the game as normal the you will have to unblock Nintendo's update servers which means your Wii U will also update. I have been on 5.3.2 for around a year and can still play Mario Kart 8 perfectly fine online.
The Tubehax DNS server is down unfortunately, which is why it's not currently working. You can however use the Chncdcksn Hax DNS server: 104.236.072.203 which does the same job. I would strongly suggest blocking updates on your own router if possible, then you are not relying on someone else to do it for you.
All previously used DNS servers no longer work, however you can use the following to block updates: 035.164.240.189 (DNS-U) 168.235.092.108 (ns3.titledb.com, hosted in LA) 081.004.127.020 (ns2.titledb.com, hosted in Netherlands)