VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Enable Isochronous USB Devices in VMware Workstation Player

Configure USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 in VMware Workstation Player so webcams, audio devices, and other isochronous USB peripherals work in a guest OS.

Isochronous USB devices send or receive time-sensitive data, such as audio or video. Isochronous USB transfers prioritize predictable, continuous delivery over retransmitting every lost packet. This makes them suitable for webcams, speakers, audio interfaces, and some modem or communication hardware.

To use these devices reliably inside a VMware Workstation Player virtual machine, configure the virtual machine's USB Controller with a compatible USB standard. You must also pass the physical device through from the host computer to the guest operating system.

How USB support works in a virtual machine

The guest operating system is the operating system installed inside the virtual machine. The physical computer and its operating system are the host. A device may be available to the host but still unavailable to the guest until you use USB passthrough, which connects the physical USB device from the host to the virtual machine.

The virtual machine's USB Controller is the virtual hardware component that determines which USB compatibility level the guest can use. USB compatibility means the virtual USB standard exposed to the guest, such as USB 2.0 or USB 3.0.

Prerequisites and compatibility requirements

• Use VMware Workstation Player as the configuration environment.
• Confirm that the guest operating system supports the USB standard you plan to select.
• Confirm that the virtual machine's hardware compatibility level supports that standard.
• Make sure the physical USB device is available to the host and can be connected to the virtual machine.
• For best results, shut down the virtual machine before changing its virtual hardware settings.

Host-side availability and guest-side compatibility are separate requirements. A webcam can appear normally on the host while remaining unusable in the guest because the virtual controller is set incorrectly, the device is still attached to the host, or the guest lacks the required driver or USB support.

USB compatibility requirements for isochronous devices

Choose the highest USB option supported by both the guest operating system and the virtual machine hardware. If either side cannot use USB 3.0, USB 2.0 is the appropriate fallback when its requirements are satisfied.

When to choose USB 2.0

USB 2.0 is available when the virtual machine is compatible with Workstation 6 or a later virtual hardware generation and the guest operating system supports USB 2.0. It is often the broader-compatibility choice for older virtual machines or guests.

When to choose USB 3.0

USB 3.0 requires a virtual machine compatible with Workstation 8 or a later virtual hardware generation. A supported Linux guest must use kernel version 2.6.35 or later. A supported Windows guest must be Windows 8 or later. These guest requirements apply even when the physical device is plugged into a USB 3.x port on the host.

Open the virtual machine hardware settings

1. Open VMware Workstation Player.
2. Select the target virtual machine in the library.
3. Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
4. Open the Hardware tab.
5. Select USB Controller from the hardware device list.

If the virtual machine is running, shut it down when Player requires the machine to be powered off before changing the controller configuration.

Choose the USB compatibility level

1. With USB Controller selected, locate the USB compatibility options.
2. Choose USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 according to the guest and virtual hardware requirements.
3. Apply or save the setting.
4. Start the virtual machine if it is powered off.
5. Connect the physical USB device to the virtual machine using USB passthrough.

Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings > Hardware > USB Controller
USB compatibility: USB 2.0 or USB 3.0

Setting the controller to USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 enables the virtual USB support needed by isochronous devices. The device must still be attached to the guest, and the guest must recognize and support it.

Validate the device in the guest

1. Connect the physical USB device to the virtual machine after configuring the controller.
2. Check whether the guest operating system detects the device.
3. Install or enable any guest driver required by the device.
4. Test the device in an appropriate guest application.

• Test a USB webcam with a camera application or communication tool.
• Test a USB speaker or audio interface with an audio recorder or playback application.
• Test a modem or communication device with the guest software that uses it.

Practical configuration examples

USB webcam in a Windows guest

For a Windows 8 or newer supported guest, select USB 3.0 when the virtual machine uses Workstation 8-or-later virtual hardware. Attach the webcam to the guest and test it in a camera application. If the VM hardware or guest does not meet the USB 3.0 requirements, select USB 2.0 when both support it.

USB speaker or audio interface in a Linux guest

Select USB 3.0 only when the Linux guest uses kernel 2.6.35 or later and the virtual machine hardware supports Workstation 8 or later. Otherwise, select USB 2.0 if the guest and VM meet the USB 2.0 requirements. After passing through the device, test recording and playback inside the guest.

Older virtual machine requiring broader compatibility

For a virtual machine compatible with Workstation 6 or later but lacking the requirements for USB 3.0, select USB 2.0. This provides the required USB compatibility for supported isochronous devices without requiring USB 3.0 guest support.

Troubleshooting

The USB 3.0 option is unavailable

• Likely cause: The virtual machine hardware compatibility level is older than Workstation 8.
• Likely cause: The selected guest operating system does not meet the USB 3.0 support requirements.
• Resolution: Confirm that the VM is compatible with Workstation 8 or later.
• Resolution: Confirm that a Linux guest uses kernel 2.6.35 or later, or that a Windows guest is Windows 8 or later.
• Resolution: Use USB 2.0 when USB 3.0 cannot be supported by the VM or guest.

The webcam, speaker, or modem is detected incorrectly

• Cause: Isochronous support was not enabled through the USB Controller compatibility selection.
• Cause: The guest operating system lacks support for the selected USB version.
• Cause: The physical device remains connected to the host instead of the virtual machine.
• Resolution: Select USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 in the virtual machine's USB Controller settings.
• Resolution: Verify that the guest meets the applicable USB support requirement.
• Resolution: Reconnect the device to the guest and test it with a guest application.

The device works on the host but not in the virtual machine

• Confirm that the device has been passed through to the guest.
• Verify that the guest operating system detects the device.
• Install the required guest driver if applicable.
• Confirm that the guest application supports the device and its function.

Exam-relevant summary

• Isochronous USB is designed for time-sensitive streams such as audio and video.
• The virtual machine USB Controller determines the USB compatibility level exposed to the guest.
• USB 2.0 requires Workstation 6-or-later compatible virtual hardware and guest USB 2.0 support.
• USB 3.0 requires Workstation 8-or-later compatible virtual hardware, plus a supported guest: Linux kernel 2.6.35 or later, or Windows 8 or later.
• The physical device must be passed through to the guest after the controller is configured.
• Always verify the device in the guest operating system and in an application that uses it.