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VMWare USB Passthrough – Detailed Guide

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Updated on: March 12, 2026
Time to read: 4 minutes
USB passthrough to a VMWare desktop

VMWare’s ESXi hypervisor is notoriously restrictive when it comes to USB passthrough. Learn about its limitations, and how to set up passthrough from the ESXi host to a resident VM. Alternatively, you can give USB Network Gate a try – it’s a lot less limited than the native method.

Table of Contents

VMWare ESXi USB Passthrough

The support of USB on VMWare virtual machines is dictated by the ESXi hypervisor, and it has a number of restrictions. You cannot use:

  • USB hubs
  • Strictly-timed audio or video devices (microphones, webcams, etc.)
  • HID input devices, including keyboards and mice


You also need to enable CCID devices manually for every virtual machine. This makes it mainly useful for USB storage devices, or external devices that have a non-PC-related function, but can be configured over USB, such as certain types of UPS.

Users commonly get around limits on USB hubs by purchasing additional PCIe USB adapter cards. The card can then be passed through in its entirety, making it possible to hotswap USB devices. However, adding a PCIe device to the ESXi host computer while a VM is running can cause data loss, even on other, unrelated PCIe devices, so avoid doing that.

A network-based software solution for USB passthrough, such as USB Network Gate, has many advantages over native ESXi USB.

Note: active USB operations don’t prevent a virtual machine from sleeping. Make sure not to use the sleep function while transferring files to a VMWare VM.

How to Enable VMWare USB Passthrough

1. First, you need to add your USB controller to the VM. Open vCenter and right-click your virtual machine.

2. Go to the Virtual Hardware tab.

3. Click “Add New Device” and select “USB Controller”, then specify your system’s USB controller.

4. With the controller added, you can use the same button to add a USB device. Click “Add New Device”.

5. Select “Host USB Device” and specify the device.

Note: if you want to enable a smart card reader or other CCID devices, add the line “usb.generic.allowCCID = TRUE” to your VM’s .vmx config file, which can be found by searching for your VM’s name under /vmfs/volumes.

USB Network Gate - an Alternative to Native ESXi USB

USB Network Gate provides a superior option to VMWare ESXi usb passthrough by letting you connect devices directly over IP, without going through the host’s USB controller. The advantages include:

  • More available device types – including input, audio, and video devices
  • Easy connection and disconnection without the vCenter
  • Connect USB hubs without needing an additional USB controller


If you’re interested in trying USB Network Gate, sign up for the free trial – you can use the 14 days to see if it’s compatible with your VMWare setup.

How to Use USB Network Gate to Get USB on VMWare

1. Download and install USB Network Gate on the ESXi host computer and in the virtual machine.

2. Activate the ESXi host instance of USB Network Gate – you can use the 14-day Free Trial.

3. Switch to the Local Devices tab and click “Share” next to the desired device.

4. On the VM installation of USB Network Gate, switch to Remote Devices and click “Connect”.

FAQ

The limit is 20 devices across a maximum of 8 USB controllers.

Human Interface Devices (HID), which includes keyboards and mice; isochronous data-reliant devices, such as microphones and webcams; and, most importantly, USB hubs.