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Connect USB Human Interface Devices to a VMware Player Virtual Machine

Learn how to expose USB keyboards, mice, game controllers, and other HIDs in VMware Player, connect them to a guest, and safely return them to the host.

Overview

VMware Player can pass a physical USB input device from the host system to a guest operating system. This process is called USB passthrough. It allows the guest to use devices such as a USB game controller, secondary keyboard, mouse, joystick, or similar peripheral.

USB input devices are normally kept available to the host and may be hidden from the virtual machine's Removable Devices menu. To make them selectable, change the virtual machine's USB Controller configuration while the virtual machine is fully powered off.

What Is a USB HID?

HID means Human Interface Device. A USB HID is a USB peripheral that sends user input to a computer. Common examples include:

  • Keyboards
  • Mice and pointing devices
  • Game controllers and gamepads
  • Joysticks
  • Some drawing tablets and other input peripherals

A device being physically connected to the host computer does not automatically make it available to the guest. The host operating system detects the device first, and VMware Player then determines whether the device can be offered to the virtual machine.

How VMware Player Handles USB HIDs by Default

VMware Player commonly hides USB input devices from the virtual machine's Removable Devices menu by default. This protects normal host control: the host generally needs to retain access to its keyboard and mouse so that local input is not unexpectedly interrupted.

The Show all USB input devices option changes this behavior for the selected virtual machine. After the option is enabled, eligible USB HIDs can appear in the removable-device list and can be connected to the guest.

This setting does not connect a device by itself. It only makes hidden USB input devices visible as candidates for USB passthrough. You still connect the desired device after the virtual machine starts.

Prerequisites and Safety Checks

  • Know which virtual machine should receive the device.
  • Confirm that the host recognizes the USB peripheral and that it is physically connected.
  • Have a secondary keyboard, laptop touchpad, or another host-control method ready if you plan to pass through a keyboard or mouse.
  • Shut down the guest operating system completely. The virtual machine must be powered off, not running or suspended.

A suspended virtual machine is not the same as a powered-off virtual machine. Resume the suspended guest and shut it down normally, or use the appropriate VMware Player power-off action if the guest cannot shut down. Save the hardware configuration before starting the VM again.

For background on the host and guest relationship, see what a guest operating system is and what a virtual machine is.

Enable Visibility of USB Input Devices

  1. Open VMware Player and select the target virtual machine in the library.
  2. Confirm that the VM is fully powered off.
  3. Open the Player management menu and choose Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
  4. Open the Hardware tab.
  5. Select USB Controller in the hardware list.
  6. Enable Show all USB input devices.
  7. Save or apply the virtual machine configuration.

If USB Controller is not present, add or configure the virtual machine's USB hardware before continuing. See how to add a USB Controller or how to configure a USB Controller.

Connect the HID After the VM Starts

  1. Start the virtual machine after saving the USB Controller setting.
  2. Wait for the guest operating system to finish starting.
  3. Open the VM window's Removable Devices menu.
  4. Locate the keyboard, mouse, controller, joystick, or other USB HID.
  5. Choose the command to connect the device to the virtual machine.
  6. Wait briefly while the guest detects the device and loads its driver.

The exact device name depends on the peripheral and the host operating system. A connected device may be marked as connected to the virtual machine in the menu. Once attached, test it in a guest application or in the guest operating system's input settings.

USB HID Connection Workflow

Stage — Action — Expected Result

Before startup — Configure USB Controller and enable Show all USB input devices — USB HIDs can be listed for connection.

After startup — Open Removable Devices and select the desired HID — VMware Player assigns the selected physical device to the guest.

During guest use — Use the keyboard, mouse, controller, or other peripheral in the guest — The guest operating system controls the connected device.

After disconnecting — Disconnect the device from the virtual machine — The device becomes available to the host again.

Host and Guest Device Ownership

Device ownership describes whether the host or guest currently controls a passed-through USB device. A device cannot normally be used independently by both systems while it is attached to the virtual machine.

Device State — Available to Host — Available to Guest — Explanation

Physically connected but not passed through — Yes — No — The host retains the device, so it may not appear as a selectable HID in the guest's menu unless visibility is enabled.

Connected to the virtual machine — No — Yes — The guest owns the USB connection while it remains attached to the VM.

Disconnected from the virtual machine — Yes — No — VMware Player releases the device, allowing the host to use it again.

To return a device to the host, open the Removable Devices menu and choose the option to disconnect it from the virtual machine. If you are using the host's primary keyboard or mouse, arrange another host-control method before disconnecting or reconnecting it.

Example: Use a USB Game Controller in a Guest

  1. Connect the game controller to the host and confirm that the host recognizes it.
  2. Power off the target virtual machine completely.
  3. Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
  4. On the Hardware tab, select USB Controller.
  5. Enable Show all USB input devices, then save the setting.
  6. Start the VM.
  7. Open Removable Devices and connect the game controller to the virtual machine.
  8. Wait for the guest to detect the controller.
  9. Test the controller in the guest operating system or in the game application's input configuration.

If the guest detects the hardware but the game does not respond, check the guest's driver support and the game's controller settings. VMware Player can provide the USB connection, but the guest operating system and application must know how to use the device.

Example: Attach a Secondary USB Keyboard

Use a secondary keyboard when possible. Keep the host's built-in keyboard, laptop touchpad, or another keyboard available for host control.

  1. Power off the VM.
  2. Enable Show all USB input devices under Hardware > USB Controller.
  3. Start the VM.
  4. Open the Removable Devices menu and connect the secondary keyboard.
  5. Use it in the guest.
  6. Disconnect it from the VM when the host needs the keyboard again.

Limitations and Guest Support

  • Passing through a keyboard or mouse can remove that physical device from normal host use.
  • USB HID visibility must be enabled for devices that VMware Player hides by default.
  • The VM must be powered off before changing the USB Controller setting.
  • The guest may need a moment to detect the device and install or activate a driver.
  • Guest operating-system support varies by device. A connection in VMware Player does not guarantee that every guest application supports the peripheral.
  • Some devices may have additional requirements, such as guest drivers, application configuration, or compatible USB support.

No command-line command is required for the standard VMware Player workflow. The configuration is performed through the virtual machine settings and the Removable Devices menu.

Troubleshooting

The HID Does Not Appear in Removable Devices

Common causes include a disabled visibility option, an unsaved change, a VM that was not fully powered off during configuration, or a peripheral that the host does not recognize.

  1. Power off the VM completely.
  2. Open Virtual Machine Settings > Hardware > USB Controller.
  3. Confirm that Show all USB input devices is enabled.
  4. Save the configuration.
  5. Confirm that the host detects the keyboard, mouse, controller, or other peripheral.
  6. Start the VM and check Removable Devices again.

The Host Cannot Use the Device After Connection

This is normally expected. USB passthrough gives the guest ownership of the device, so the host cannot use it while it remains connected to the VM.

Open the Removable Devices menu and disconnect the device from the virtual machine. Use another host input method before releasing a primary keyboard or mouse.

The Guest Sees the Device but It Does Not Work

  1. Confirm that the device is marked as connected to the virtual machine rather than the host.
  2. Wait for guest hardware detection to complete.
  3. Disconnect and reconnect the device if detection appears stuck.
  4. Check whether the guest operating system has a suitable driver.
  5. Check the application's input or controller settings.

The USB Controller Setting Cannot Be Changed

The VM may still be running or suspended. Shut down the guest completely and return the virtual machine to a powered-off state. Then reopen its hardware settings and change the USB Controller option.

Key Points

  • A USB HID is an input peripheral such as a keyboard, mouse, game controller, or joystick.
  • Physical connection to the host does not automatically make a device available to the guest.
  • Enable Show all USB input devices under Hardware > USB Controller while the VM is powered off.
  • After startup, connect the desired HID through the VM's Removable Devices menu.
  • The connected guest owns the device until you disconnect it.
  • Keep a separate host-control method available when testing keyboard or mouse passthrough.