I own a basic set wii u

I have an external hard drive which the wii U detects, and save files are saved there automatically.

But I can't buy big games online because the Wii U tells me I don't have enough space,  because it uses the System memory as install location instead of the external hard drive.

I can move all the things I have in the system memory to the external hard drive, but that would only free up like 3700 gigs, and I need over 4 for Kart 8. As far as I know it should be downloading them directly into the external hard drive.

There must be a solution to this.

Hmm that shouldnt be the case cause I only have 2gb left on the system memory on my wiiU but I can still download and install 4+gb games onto its external cause it should download and install those games to the external hard drive... I say call Nintendo and ask them about it

Also make sure that ur hard drive is getting enough power. So if its a portable hard drive without an external power source, it needs a Usb Y cable conneted to the wiiU

And make sure that your hard drive is detected properly and that its formatted properly

I hooked up a 2 TB HD to my baby Wii U.

Now i don't even read the file size anymore... never again... -_-

But he says his savegames are on the external... you skimmed the OP

Hm, that's odd. Mine automatically detects the external harddrive and downloads stuff to it instead of the system memory. I have a basic Wii U as well.

Though I did have another external harddrive before my current one, which was giving me problems because it didn't receive enough power. Make sure it either has its own power source, or use a Y cable to connect it to two USB ports on your Wii U (not just 1), if you haven't already. That way it gets enough juice.

Other than that, I have no idea what the problem could be; there are no settings you could change on your Wii U to make it download to your external harddrive, you can only move/copy/delete data between it and your system memory...

If all fails, contact Nintendo!

I think power may be the issue.
I will buy one that you have to plug in the wall. I will get it tomorrow.

A USB y-cable may also help if it's a power issue. - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005M0ICG2

get a toshiba cambio 3TB and sell the crapy HDD you have rigth now :/

Yup, a Y cable would be your best bet. Much cheaper than getting another drive.