Ok, I figured it out on mine easily. Sync console, sync Wii U, then on your tv screen will be 4 little card icons. Enter them on your game pad from your tv screen from left to right. There ya go :-)

did all that, I think my problem is the gamepad just isnt fully charged and the console is making me have to charge it till its full before it connects for some reason. still waiting for it to charge though. I did all that stuff where you type in the symbols and it displayed that screen saying it wouldnt connect, try holding it closer. when the power button on the gamepad itself is pushed, it WILL turn on the console, it will also say when i try to re-sync that it is already paired with the console so on some degree it must be synced, it just wont let me do anything until i charge it i think. i will just have to wait and see if the problem persists after charging

I will try charging it, I just saw in the manual after looking it over again that it it recommended that you fully charge the gamepad before using it for the first time. will let everyone know if it works.

-.- yes I tried syncing it! I followed all the instructions to the letter. the wii u gamepad itself can even turn on the console when I press power, its just the same message is constantly shown saying the gamepad can't connect to the console, please move closer and turn the power off then on. doesnt work.

I need help. I have just picked up my new Wii u console today only to get home and have the gamepad tell me over and over that it will not connect to the console and to turn the power off and get closer. I have done this over and over and the gamepad still displays the same message yet whenever I try to press sync on the console again, the gamepad displays a message saying it is already paired with the console. the screen also says the gamepad is ready for use but the gamepad screen just keeps saying it can't connect. Am I doing something wrong, or is this just a defective unit?