Add and Configure a USB Controller in VMware Player

Learn how to add or restore a USB controller in VMware Player, configure USB compatibility, connect devices, and safely return them to the host.

A USB controller is virtual hardware inside a virtual machine (VM). It gives the guest operating system a way to use selected USB devices that are physically connected to the host system. The host is the physical computer running VMware Player; the guest is the operating system installed inside the VM.

Adding a USB controller and connecting a USB device are separate actions. Adding the controller creates the virtual USB hardware. Connecting a device, also called USB passthrough, assigns a particular host-connected device to that controller and makes it available to the guest.

Prerequisites and limitations

Only one USB controller can be assigned to a VMware Player virtual machine. An existing controller can be removed and later restored from the VM's virtual hardware settings, but adding a second controller is not supported.

Before changing virtual hardware, make sure the VM is powered off. A powered-off VM has been fully shut down. A running VM is still executing its guest operating system, while a suspended VM has had its current state saved and is not the same as being powered off.

Shut down the guest operating system normally.
Confirm that VMware Player shows the VM as powered off, not suspended.
Close guest applications and save any device-related work.
Disconnect or safely eject USB storage and other devices when appropriate before changing hardware.

For background, see what a virtual machine is and what a guest operating system is.

Open the virtual machine settings

Open VMware Player.
Select the target VM in the VMware Player library.
Verify that the selected VM is powered off.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Open the Hardware tab.

The settings dialog lists the virtual devices currently assigned to the VM. If USB Controller is already listed, the VM already has the required virtual hardware. In that case, select it to review or change its settings rather than adding another controller.

Add or restore a USB controller

In the Hardware tab, select Add to start the Add Hardware wizard.
Select USB Controller from the hardware types.
Continue through the wizard.
Choose the intended USB compatibility and device-handling options when they are displayed.
Select Finish.

After the wizard closes, verify that USB Controller appears in the hardware inventory. If it does not appear, cancel without saving, confirm that the correct VM is selected, and repeat the process while the VM is fully powered off.

Configure USB compatibility

USB compatibility is the USB version or controller mode presented to the guest operating system. Choose a mode that is supported by VMware Player, the host computer, the guest OS, and the peripheral.

Use a mode supported by the guest's USB drivers.
Consider the USB generation required by the device.
Check whether the host's physical USB controller and port support the selected mode.
Use a more compatible or older mode when a device fails to enumerate in a newer mode.

Selecting a newer USB mode does not guarantee that every host controller or peripheral will work with it. Compatibility involves the complete path from the physical port through VMware Player to the guest driver.

Configure USB device connection behavior

Automatically connect newly detected USB devices

An automatic-connection option can attach a newly detected USB device to the VM when the VMware Player window has virtual machine focus, meaning the VM window is the active input target.

When this option is disabled, a newly connected device normally remains available to the host until you manually connect it through VMware Player's Removable Devices menu. Leaving automatic connection disabled is often safer for USB flash drives, external disks, phones, and other devices that should not be captured unexpectedly by the guest.

Show all USB input devices

USB human interface devices (HIDs), such as keyboards and mice, are normally hidden from the removable-device connection menu. Enable the option to show all USB input devices when the guest must directly use a USB keyboard, mouse, or similar controller.

Share Bluetooth devices

Bluetooth sharing makes the host's Bluetooth hardware or capability available to the VM when supported by the VMware Player version and host platform. Enable it only when the guest needs Bluetooth access, such as pairing a device from the guest OS.

While the Bluetooth adapter is attached to the guest, the host may lose direct control of the adapter and devices connected through it. Disconnect it from the VM when host Bluetooth use is needed again.

Enable isochronous USB support

Isochronous USB transfers carry continuous, time-sensitive streams. They are commonly used by microphones, webcams, audio interfaces, video devices, and some capture hardware.

Enable isochronous USB device support when a time-sensitive peripheral does not work reliably with the default controller configuration or when the device requires this transfer type. Performance still depends on host hardware, available USB bandwidth, host system load, guest drivers, and VMware Player's virtualization support. This option cannot compensate for an overloaded host or an unsupported guest driver.

See configure a USB controller and enable isochronous USB devices for related configuration guidance.

USB controller configuration options

Option — What It Controls — When to Enable It — Potential Trade-off

USB compatibility — The USB generation or controller mode exposed to the guest — Choose the mode supported by the host, guest, VMware Player, and device — A newer mode may be incompatible with a host controller, guest driver, or peripheral.

Automatically connect new USB devices when the VM has focus — Whether newly detected devices are captured by the focused VM — Enable when the VM should receive new devices automatically — Storage and other host peripherals may be captured unintentionally.

Show all USB input devices — Whether USB keyboards, mice, and other HIDs appear in the connection menu — Enable when the guest must use a USB HID directly — Assigning the primary host input device can make host control difficult.

Share Bluetooth devices with the virtual machine — Whether Bluetooth hardware can be made available to the guest — Enable when Bluetooth pairing or access must occur in the guest — The host may lose control of the adapter while it is attached.

Isochronous USB device support — Support for continuous, time-sensitive USB streams — Enable when audio, video, or capture hardware needs it — Host load, bandwidth, and guest-driver limitations can still cause failures.

Start the VM and connect a USB device

Finish the hardware configuration and close the settings dialog.
Start the virtual machine.
Wait for the guest operating system to finish starting.
Insert or power on the USB device if it is not already connected to the host.
When automatic connection is disabled, open VMware Player's Removable Devices controls.
Select the specific USB device and choose the command to connect it to the virtual machine.
Wait for the guest to detect the device.
Install or update the device driver in the guest if the guest OS requests one.

A USB device is generally controlled by either the host or the guest at one time, not both simultaneously. Connecting it to the VM transfers control away from the host until it is disconnected from the VM.

For a focused device-connection procedure, read connect a USB device to a virtual machine. For keyboards and mice, see connect USB HIDs to a virtual machine.

Common connection scenarios

Device Type — Recommended Connection Method — Guest Requirement — Host Impact

USB flash drive — Keep automatic connection disabled and attach the specific drive manually — Guest storage support and any required filesystem support — The host cannot use the drive while it is attached to the guest.

Printer or scanner — Attach the device manually after starting the guest — Guest printer or scanner driver — Host applications cannot use it while the guest owns it.

Webcam or audio interface — Select a suitable USB mode and enable isochronous support if required, then attach it — Guest audio, video, or capture driver — Real-time performance consumes host USB bandwidth and system resources.

Keyboard or mouse — Show all USB input devices, then attach intentionally — Guest HID support — The host may become difficult to control without another input method.

Bluetooth adapter — Enable Bluetooth sharing and attach the adapter or capability as supported — Guest Bluetooth drivers and pairing support — The host may lose direct Bluetooth control.

Safe removal and host reconnection

Stop using the device in the guest.
Use the guest OS's eject or safe-removal function when required, especially for storage devices.
Open VMware Player's Removable Devices controls.
Select the device and choose the command to disconnect it from the virtual machine or return it to the host.
Wait for the host OS to detect the released device again before using it.

Do not simply unplug storage while the guest is writing to it. Disconnecting through VMware Player releases the passthrough assignment, but it does not replace the guest OS's safe-removal procedure.

Troubleshoot USB controller and device problems

The USB Controller cannot be added

The VM may be running or suspended, or the wrong VM may be selected. Shut down the guest completely, return to the VMware Player library, select the correct VM, and reopen Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings. Hardware controls should be available for a powered-off VM.

A new device remains connected to the host

Automatic connection may be disabled, the VM may not have focus, or the device may require manual attachment. Use the Removable Devices menu to connect that specific device. Enable automatic connection only if automatic capture is wanted.

A keyboard or mouse is not listed

USB input devices are commonly hidden by default. Enable the option to show all USB input devices, then attach the device cautiously. Retain a separate way to control the host.

The guest does not detect the device

Confirm in the Removable Devices menu that the device is connected to the VM rather than the host.
Try a USB compatibility mode appropriate for the host, guest, and device.
Install or update the guest-side device driver.
Reconnect the device after the guest has fully started.
Test a different physical USB port if the device is unsupported or unavailable through the virtualization layer.

A webcam, microphone, or capture device performs poorly

Isochronous transfer support may be required. Enable it when appropriate, use a direct host USB port, reduce competing USB activity, update the guest driver, and test a compatible USB mode. High host CPU load, insufficient bandwidth, or guest driver limitations can still prevent reliable real-time performance.

Bluetooth is unavailable in the guest

Enable Bluetooth sharing, attach the adapter or Bluetooth capability to the VM as supported, and install the relevant guest drivers. If the adapter remains controlled by the host, the guest cannot use it. Disconnect it from the guest when host Bluetooth access is needed again.

Exam-relevant notes

A USB controller is virtual hardware; it is not the physical USB controller in the host computer.
A VM normally has one USB controller, and only one can be assigned.
The VM must be powered off, not merely suspended, before adding or restoring the controller.
Adding the controller does not automatically attach every USB device.
Automatic connection depends on the VM having focus and can capture devices unexpectedly.
USB passthrough normally gives control of a device to either the host or the guest, not both.
HID visibility, Bluetooth sharing, and isochronous support are separate controller options.

Summary

To restore USB support, power off the correct VM, open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings, choose Hardware > Add, select USB Controller, configure the available options, and finish the wizard. Then start the guest and use Removable Devices to attach individual peripherals. Choose USB compatibility carefully, enable automatic connection only when appropriate, expose HIDs cautiously, and use Bluetooth or isochronous support only when the guest device requires it.