VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Add and Configure a USB Controller in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to add or restore a USB controller in VMware Workstation Player, select USB compatibility, connect peripherals, and troubleshoot guest USB access.

A virtual machine needs a USB controller before its guest operating system can use physical USB devices. The controller is virtual hardware presented to the guest. It provides the USB functionality that allows VMware Workstation Player to pass selected devices from the physical computer to the virtual machine.

Common examples include USB flash drives, external storage, smart card readers, Bluetooth peripherals, keyboards, mice, cameras, audio interfaces, and other USB hardware.

Important USB terms

Host system: The physical computer and operating system running VMware Workstation Player.
Guest operating system: The operating system installed inside the virtual machine.
USB passthrough: Connecting a physical USB device from the host to a virtual machine so the guest can use it.
USB compatibility: The USB standard exposed by the virtual controller, such as USB 1.1, USB 2.0, or USB 3.0.
Virtual machine focus: The state in which the virtual machine window is active and receives keyboard and mouse input.
Removable Devices menu: The VMware control used to view eligible removable devices and connect them to the guest.
HID: A Human Interface Device, such as a USB keyboard or mouse.
Isochronous USB: A USB transfer mode designed for timing-sensitive streams, including audio and video.

Default controller behavior and limitations

Newly created virtual machines normally include one USB controller by default. A virtual machine can contain only one USB controller. If the default controller was removed, it can be added back later, but you cannot add a second USB controller to the same virtual machine.

Adding the controller does not automatically connect every USB device. The controller supplies the guest with USB capability; an individual peripheral must still be connected or attached to the guest through VMware's removable-device controls.

Prepare before changing virtual hardware

Fully power off the target virtual machine. Do not merely suspend it or leave it running.
In the VMware Workstation Player library, select the virtual machine you want to modify.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Open the Hardware tab.

Hardware changes apply to the selected virtual machine. Confirming the library selection first helps prevent modifying the wrong guest.

Add or restore a USB controller

With the VM powered off, open its virtual machine settings.
Select the Hardware tab.
Click Add to open the Add Hardware workflow.
Select USB Controller as the hardware type.
Review the available controller options.
Choose the required USB compatibility level and optional behavior settings.
Complete the wizard.

After the wizard finishes, the USB controller appears in the virtual machine's hardware list. Start the guest before attempting to attach most physical USB devices.

USB controller configuration options

Option — Purpose — Default or typical behavior — When to enable or select — Cautions

USB compatibility — Selects the USB standard exposed to the guest — The controller uses the selected compatibility level — Choose a version supported by both the guest and the device — A newer standard does not guarantee guest compatibility.
Automatically connect new USB devices when the VM has focus — Sends newly attached USB devices to the active guest — Devices normally remain with the host unless this behavior applies — Enable when newly attached devices should normally go directly to the guest — The host may lose access to the device.
Show all USB input devices — Makes USB HID devices visible in the removable-device connection menu — Keyboards and mice are hidden by default — Enable when a USB keyboard, mouse, or similar input device must be passed through — Passing through the host's only input device can make host interaction difficult.
Share Bluetooth devices with the virtual machine — Makes Bluetooth device support available to the guest — Bluetooth sharing is optional — Enable when the guest needs supported Bluetooth functionality — This is different from passing through a separate USB Bluetooth adapter.

Select USB compatibility

The USB compatibility setting determines which USB standard the virtual controller presents to the guest operating system. Select a version that the guest supports and that meets the requirements of the device.

USB version — Typical device use — Guest support considerations — Selection guidance

USB 1.1 — Older, low-bandwidth peripherals — Usually suitable only when the guest and device support this older standard — Choose it for legacy compatibility or older guests when higher versions cause problems.
USB 2.0 — Many flash drives, smart card readers, input devices, and general peripherals — The guest needs USB 2.0 support or suitable drivers — A practical compatibility choice for many older and current devices.
USB 3.0 — Higher-speed storage and newer peripherals — The guest must support USB 3.0 and have the required drivers — Choose it when the device needs USB 3.0 performance and the guest supports it.

USB 3.0 is not automatically better in every situation. If the guest lacks suitable USB 3.0 support, selecting it may not make the device usable. Start with the standard supported by the guest and the peripheral, then test the device in the guest.

Automatically connect newly attached USB devices

The automatic connection option connects a newly attached USB device to the virtual machine when the VM window has focus. Focus means the VM window is active and receives keyboard and mouse input.

For example, if the guest window is active and automatic connection is enabled, attaching a USB flash drive may cause VMware to assign it to the guest rather than the host. The guest then becomes the device owner from the operating system's perspective.

When automatic connection is disabled, a newly attached USB device remains connected to the host, even if the virtual machine has focus. You can then use the removable-device controls to explicitly connect the device to the guest.

Situation — Expected device owner — What to check

New USB device attached while automatic connection and VM focus are enabled — The guest is normally selected for the device — Confirm the guest detects it and that the host no longer has active access.
New USB device attached while automatic connection is disabled — The host retains the device — Use the Removable Devices menu to connect it to the guest.
USB HID devices hidden from the menu — The host retains the keyboard or mouse — Enable the option to show all USB input devices before attempting passthrough.
Device connected to the guest but not detected by the guest OS — VMware has assigned it to the guest, but the guest may lack support — Check the guest driver, USB compatibility, device status, and application support.

Show USB input devices

USB human interface devices are hidden from the removable-device connection menu by default. Keyboards and mice are common USB HID devices. This default helps prevent accidental loss of host input.

Enable Show all USB input devices when the guest must use a USB keyboard, mouse, or another USB input device. Once enabled, eligible input devices become available through the removable-device controls.

Share Bluetooth devices

The Bluetooth sharing option makes Bluetooth device support available to the virtual machine. Use it when applications inside the guest need to discover or communicate with supported Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth sharing is not the same as direct USB passthrough of a separate USB Bluetooth adapter. Sharing exposes Bluetooth functionality through the controller configuration, while USB passthrough assigns a physical USB adapter itself to the guest. The appropriate method depends on the VMware version, host support, guest support, and the hardware being used.

Isochronous USB devices

Isochronous USB devices require continuous, time-sensitive data transfer. Audio interfaces, microphones, speakers, webcams, and video peripherals are representative examples. Unlike a storage device, these peripherals may be affected by delays, interruptions, or insufficient transfer handling.

Successful isochronous USB use depends on the selected controller configuration, host support, guest operating system support, guest drivers, application behavior, and the specific device. After configuring the controller, connect the device to the guest and test the actual audio or video application. A device that appears in the guest may still produce unstable streaming if one of these layers has a limitation.

Practical examples

Restore a removed USB controller

Power off the virtual machine.
Select it in the VMware library.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Open Hardware, click Add, and select USB Controller.
Select the required USB compatibility level.
Review optional connection, input-device, and Bluetooth settings, then finish the wizard.

Connect a USB flash drive

Ensure the guest has a USB controller.
Start the virtual machine.
Attach the flash drive to the guest through VMware's removable-device controls.
Verify that the guest operating system detects the drive.
Confirm that the host is not actively using the drive when exclusive guest access is required.

Use a smart card reader

Add or confirm the USB controller while the VM is powered off.
Start the guest and connect the smart card reader to it.
Check that the guest has the required reader driver and smart-card middleware.
Test the reader with the intended guest application.

Pass a USB keyboard or mouse to the guest

Enable Show all USB input devices.
Open the removable-device controls and locate the input device.
Connect it only when another keyboard, mouse, or reliable host-control method is available.
Disconnect it from the guest when host control must be restored.

Connect a USB camera or audio device

Select a USB compatibility level appropriate for the device and supported by the guest.
Confirm that the guest has the required driver and application support.
Connect the device to the guest and test streaming or recording.
If the stream fails or is unstable, check host use, guest support, controller compatibility, and the device's virtualization limitations.

Verify the configuration

Start the virtual machine after completing the hardware change.
Use the Removable Devices menu to connect the required USB peripheral to the guest when it is not connected automatically.
Check the guest operating system for a device notification, mounted storage, or a newly detected hardware entry.
Install or load the required guest driver and application support.
Confirm that the device is not simultaneously being used by the host when exclusive guest access is required.
Test the device's actual function, such as reading a smart card, accessing files, pairing Bluetooth hardware, capturing video, or recording audio.

Troubleshoot USB controller and device problems

The Add USB Controller option is unavailable

Make sure the virtual machine is fully powered off. Also verify that the correct VM is selected in the library. Reopen its settings and return to the Hardware tab. A running or suspended VM may prevent the required hardware change.

The device remains attached to the host

Automatic connection may be disabled, the VM window may not have focus, or the device may not have been manually assigned. Give the VM focus before attaching a new device if automatic connection is desired. Otherwise, use the removable-device controls to connect it explicitly. Also check whether the host is actively using the device.

A keyboard or mouse is not listed

USB input devices are hidden by default. Enable Show all USB input devices. Before connecting the device, ensure that an alternate way to control the host is available.

The guest does not recognize a connected device

Confirm in VMware that the device is connected to the guest rather than the host.
Check device detection and driver status inside the guest.
Review whether USB 1.1, USB 2.0, or USB 3.0 is appropriate for the guest and peripheral.
Disconnect and reconnect the device after the guest is running.
Consider guest, host, and device compatibility limitations.

Audio or video streaming is unreliable

The peripheral may use isochronous transfers. Confirm the USB compatibility setting and guest driver support, then test it with the required guest application. Reduce competing host use of the device and retry. If problems continue, validate the specific peripheral's compatibility with the host, guest, and VMware configuration.

Host control is lost after HID passthrough

The keyboard or mouse was probably assigned to the guest. Use another available host input device to open the removable-device controls and disconnect the HID from the guest. Plan input-device passthrough only when alternate host control is available.

Key points

New virtual machines normally include one USB controller, and only one controller can be present.
The VM must be powered off before adding or restoring the controller.
Adding a controller enables USB functionality but does not connect a particular physical device.
Choose USB 1.1, USB 2.0, or USB 3.0 according to guest support and device requirements.
Automatic connection depends on both the setting and virtual machine focus.
Keyboards and mice are hidden by default; showing them requires extra care because passthrough can remove host input.
Bluetooth sharing and USB passthrough of a Bluetooth adapter are related but different approaches.
Always verify device ownership, guest detection, drivers, and real application behavior after connection.

For the next device-connection procedure, see connecting and managing USB devices in a VMware virtual machine.