Wiimotes connect just fine and I can access vWii with no issue. I tested a disc based game but it instantly froze on the banner :(

I actually had the same problem coincidently I was struggling what to do until I stupidity factory reset my wii u, it obviously did the trick but I lost my save data so I wouldn't suggest a factory reset if u wanna keep ur data

actually my brother tried accessing system settings and it froze there. it even freezes when adding or deleting a user

I think ur best bet is to find a way to get it repaired by somebody? I'm not much of an expert but I hope you find a way to fix ur wii u!

Thanks for your help though. My brother is looking online for similar problems that other people had, as well as searching on ebay as a last resort. He has a nand backup, but is still worried about losing everything since we had our wii u for nearly 13 years

do you have a nand backup? if so, u can replace it

Get a pi pico and use UDPIH to install every corrupted app it lists, and your good.

Yes, my brother has a nand backup but it's an old one. He homebrewed it a couple years ago and backed it up as soon as he installed cfw

the console's nand chip is manufactured by toshiba btw, not hynix

Hmm. Luna. You haven't introduced me to your brother.