How to Fix USB Device Not Recognized in VirtualBox

Edited 5 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

VirtualBoxUSBTroubleshootingFixProblemHardwarePeripheralVMVirtual MachineWindows

VirtualBox is a powerful tool for running virtual machines (VMs) on a host operating system. However, you may encounter a common problem where USB devices are not recognized in your virtual machine. This can be frustrating, especially if you need to access a USB drive, printer, or other peripheral. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to fix this problem.

This guide will show you the steps to enable USB support in VirtualBox, troubleshoot common issues, and ensure that your USB devices are properly recognized and usable in your virtual machine.

Understanding the problem

Before we get to the solutions, it's important to understand why USB devices may not be recognized in VirtualBox. Here are some common reasons:

• Lack of USB support in the version of VirtualBox you are using.
• Incorrect USB settings in VirtualBox Manager.
• The VirtualBox Extension Pack is missing or out of date.
• Conflict with the host operating system's USB driver.
• Insufficient permissions or security settings on the host machine.

Prerequisites for USB support in Virtualbox

Before USB devices can work in your virtual machine, make sure the following prerequisites are met:

• Download and install the VirtualBox extension pack that matches your version of VirtualBox. The extension pack provides additional features including USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 support.
• Make sure that your user account on the host system has the necessary permissions to access the USB device.
• Verify that USB support is enabled in the VM settings.

Step-by-step guide to enabling USB in VirtualBox

Step 1: Install the VirtualBox Extension Pack

The extension pack is important for enabling USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 support, among other features.

1. Go to the VirtualBox download page.
2. Under the “VirtualBox Extension Packs” section, click the appropriate link to download the extension pack that matches your VirtualBox version.
3. Once downloaded, double-click on the extension pack file, or open VirtualBox and go to File > Preferences > Extensions. Click the "Add Package" button (icon with a green plus sign) and select the downloaded file to install it.

Step 2: Enable USB Controller in VirtualBox

Make sure your VM is configured to use a USB controller.

1. Open VirtualBox and select the virtual machine you want to modify.
2. Click "Settings" and navigate to the "USB" tab.
3. Check the "Enable USB Controller" option.
4. You can choose from USB 1.1 (OHCI), USB 2.0 (EHCI), or USB 3.0 (xHCI). Choose the appropriate version based on the capabilities of your host and the guest additions installed in your VM.

Step 3: Add the USB Filter

Setting up a USB filter can help route USB devices directly to your VM.

1. In the same “USB” tab, click the “Add Filter” button (the icon with a blue star and a green plus sign).
2. Select the USB device that you want to automatically connect to this VM.

The filter can be configured to match specific properties of the USB device, such as manufacturer, product, and serial number. This can be useful if you want the VM to automatically capture a specific device every time it starts.

Step 4: Test your USB device in a virtual machine

Now it's time to check if the changes resolved the issue.

1. Start your virtual machine.
2. Verify if your USB device is recognized and accessible. You can do this by checking if the device appears in the guest operating system's Device Manager or File Explorer.

Troubleshooting common problems

USB device is not listed in the filter

If your USB device does not appear in the filter list, try reconnecting it to your host machine. Make sure your host recognizes the device before trying again with VirtualBox. If problems persist, check your host's USB drivers to make sure they are up to date.

USB drive is visible but does not work

If the USB device appears in the guest OS but does not work properly, consider the following:

• Check driver support in the guest OS for the specific USB device.
• Reinstall or upgrade VirtualBox Guest Additions within the virtual machine.
• Test the device on your host to make sure it functions correctly outside of the virtual environment.

Advanced configuration

Configuration via command line

If you prefer to use the command line for configuration, you can use VBoxManage tool provided by VirtualBox. Below is an example of adding a USB filter using VBoxManage:

VBoxManage usbfilter add 0 --target <Your-VM-Name> --name "MyUSBDevice" --vendorid <vendor-id> --productid <product-id>

Replace <Your-VM-Name>, <vendor-id>, and <product-id> with your specific VM name and USB device identifiers.

Managing group and user permissions

Sometimes, permission issues on the host system prevent USB devices from being captured by VirtualBox:

• On Linux, add your user to vboxusers group as follows: sudo usermod -aG vboxusers $USER
• Make sure your user account has the necessary permissions to access the USB device on Windows. This may involve setting permissions in Device Manager or Group Policy configuration.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "USB device not recognized" issue in VirtualBox. Make sure the VirtualBox Extension Pack is installed, USB support is enabled, and the proper USB filters are configured. Additionally, troubleshooting driver issues and permissions can help identify and resolve USB recognition problems.

Running a virtual machine with full USB support can be extremely beneficial for testing, development, and accessing device-specific features within your virtualized environment.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update