VMware 6.7u3 USB passthrough, usb device greyed out. DELL R340

[leszbarto]

Hi all I try to setup usb passthrough so when I remote desktop to VM from my laptop I could plug USB stick to my laptop and see it in Windows 10 VM.

It's easy in Vsphere but this new server runs free ESXI 6.7u3

I tried /etc/init.d/usbarbitrator start viewed at: Add USB Device grayed out in ESXi 6.7

usbarbitrator is already running.

not sure if this is relevant:

Host/Manage/Hardware PCI Devices:

Intel Corporation cannon lake PCH USB 3.1 xHCI Controller is greyed out. (not capable)

I can add USB3 or 2 controller to VM but USB device is greyed out.

kind regards

Bartosz

[VivekThacker]

Hello,

First step is to check whether USB device you are using is supported and tested for Passthrough by VMware. You can have the Supported USB device models details from the below KB.

Link : VMware Knowledge Base

If the device is in the supported list. Post that follow the procedure listed in the KB.

VMware Knowledge Base

[leszbarto]

Thank You for Your answer.

I tried command  described in: VMware Knowledge Base

esxcfg-module -e xhci

echo "vmkload_mod xhci" >> /etc/rc.local.d/local.sh

and rebooted server

but still USB Device is greyed out.

I can use very same USB stick + pass-through in old Vsphere 5.5

xHCI hardware not compatible?

I could potentially upgrade to VSphere server but license is £6.5k and still might not work...

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1022290

[VivekThacker]

Hi,

Is the USB model supported and tested for Passthrough by VMware for the version of ESXi host.. Please check the below link.

VMware Knowledge Base

[DmizersSec]

Hi,

Did you ever get this issues resolved. I am currently having the exact same issue.

Regards,

Dmizer

[VBAdmin]

Did anyone figure this out? I also have the same issue.

[MaxFry]

You can try solution, I provided here:

https://communities.vmware.com/t5/ESXi-Discussions/Add-USB-Device-grayed-out-in-ESXi-6-7/m-p/2868148...