USB Device Check
Verify which USB devices your computer recognizes and how they connect. Using the WebUSB API in Chrome or Edge, this tool lists your authorized connected devices and reads their vendor and product IDs, device class, manufacturer, and serial number — all processed locally in your browser, with a manual VID and PID lookup that works in every browser when WebUSB is unavailable.
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You can look up a USB device even without the WebUSB API. Get the Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID) from your device manager, enter them below, and we resolve the vendor, product, and device class from a local database — nothing leaves your machine.
🔒 Runs locally. Read-only device metadata is never uploaded.
Request access, then see every USB device your browser is able to enumerate, with live connect and disconnect updates as you plug hardware in and out.
Reads each device VID and PID directly from the hardware descriptors and resolves them to vendor and product names using a database bundled into the page.
See the USB device class and subclass so you know whether the hardware is mass storage, a human input device, a printer, audio equipment, or a vendor-specific interface.
React in real time as you plug in or unplug a device, which is the fastest way to isolate whether a fault sits in the port, the cable, the driver, or the device itself.
Everything runs locally. No device data is uploaded or stored, and the vendor lookup table ships with the page instead of calling a remote server.
Reveals whether a device is recognized at all, giving you a clear starting point before you spend an afternoon reinstalling drivers or replacing cables.
No WebUSB in your browser? Enter a Vendor ID and Product ID by hand and still resolve the vendor, product name, and device class from the local database, with no permissions required.
Displays the manufacturer string and serial number whenever the device exposes them, which is useful for inventory, warranty claims, and asset tracking.
Identification relies on the browser and the USB descriptors themselves, so you can inspect a device before any vendor driver has been installed on the system.
No installer, no account, no browser extension. The entire check runs in a single page load and behaves the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and Android.
The same page identifies hardware identically on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and Android, so you can compare results between two machines without installing a different utility on each one.
Vendor and product IDs are read from the hardware itself rather than guessed from a product name, which means the numbers you see can be matched against driver downloads, firmware releases, and support databases with confidence.
How USB Device Check Works
When you click the check button, Chrome or Edge opens the WebUSB device picker, which lists the hardware the browser is willing to expose to the page. After you authorize a device, the page calls navigator.usb.getDevices() and reads the descriptors that the device itself reports over the bus. Nothing is transmitted anywhere: WebUSB only surfaces information your browser already holds, and every lookup happens inside the tab. There is no server component, no background request, and no telemetry attached to the check.
For each authorized device you see the vendor ID (VID), product ID (PID), product name, manufacturer, serial number, and USB device class. The tool matches the VID against a vendor table bundled with the page, so recognition works even offline. Because WebUSB is only available in a secure context, this page is served over HTTPS, and the picker opens only in response to your click rather than automatically on page load. You can authorize several devices in one session and compare them side by side, and refreshing the list re-reads the descriptors so you can confirm a change after swapping a cable or moving to another port.
Understanding Your Results
A device listed with a vendor and product name has been recognized and enumerated by the browser. An Unknown vendor simply means the vendor ID is not yet present in the bundled table; the raw VID and PID are still read from the hardware, so you can look them up elsewhere. The manufacturer and serial fields are optional in the USB specification, and plenty of inexpensive devices leave them blank rather than reporting a value. Comparing two units of the same model is often revealing: the vendor and product IDs should match exactly while the serial numbers differ, and a mismatch on the identifiers is a strong hint that one unit is a revision change, a refurbished board, or a counterfeit.
The device class describes how the hardware communicates rather than what it looks like. Class 8 is mass storage, 7 is printers, 3 is human interface devices such as keyboards and mice, 1 covers audio and video, and 255 means the vendor defines its own interface. If a device fails to appear at all, test a second port, then a second cable, then a second computer, in that order, to separate a hardware fault from a driver problem. Changing one variable at a time is what turns a vague intermittent fault into a definite answer about which component is at fault.
Honest Limitations
WebUSB is implemented only in Chromium browsers such as Chrome and Edge on desktop and Android; Safari, Firefox, and most in-app browsers do not expose it at all. The page lists only devices you explicitly authorize, and only those the browser is able to enumerate. Many devices whose interfaces are claimed by operating system drivers, including installed keyboards, mice, and phones using MTP, will never appear in the picker. This is a platform boundary rather than a defect in the tool, and it exists to stop a web page from silently taking control of input hardware you are actively using.
If nothing shows up, the cause is usually one of four things: the browser does not support WebUSB, you dismissed the permission prompt, the device is claimed by an OS driver, or the port itself is faulty. Check the browser support notice first, then repeat the check with a different device, a different cable, and a different port to narrow the cause. The manual VID and PID lookup below works in every browser and requires no permissions at all, so it is always available as a fallback. Treat the results as a fast first look rather than a complete hardware inventory, because a system device manager will always show more than a sandboxed web page can.
Supported Devices
Once you authorize a device, WebUSB can expose anything the browser is able to enumerate. In practice the following categories show up most often:
- USB flash drives and external SSDs
- Development boards such as Arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi Pico
- Webcams, capture cards, and HDMI capture devices
- USB microphones, headsets, and audio interfaces
- Game controllers, racing wheels, and flight sticks
- Printers and label makers
- USB-to-serial adapters and debug probes
- Smart card readers and hardware security keys
- Digital cameras operating in PTP mode
- USB hubs, docks, and docking stations
- Measurement instruments and USB oscilloscopes
- Firmware update and DFU interfaces
Why Check USB Devices Online
When a peripheral misbehaves, the first genuinely useful question is whether the computer sees it at all. This tool answers that in seconds and without installing anything, showing whether a device enumerates on the USB bus and exactly how it identifies itself to the operating system. A device that appears with a sensible vendor and product name is being enumerated normally, while one that never appears tells you the problem sits below the application layer and is worth investigating at the port, cable, or driver level.
That detail is valuable well beyond troubleshooting. It helps you confirm that a used device works before you pay for it, compare two similar gadgets that claim identical specifications, verify that a replacement cable behaves the same as the original, and quote precise vendor and product IDs in a support ticket so the manufacturer cannot ask you to describe the device again. Because the check never requests camera, microphone, or location access, it is safe to run on a work machine, and because it needs no installation it also works on a locked-down computer where you cannot add software.
Common USB Device Problems
Symptoms a USB device check can reveal, and what each one usually means:
Device does not appear in the picker
The operating system driver may already claim the interface, or the browser may not support WebUSB for that device type. Try another port and a different cable, and confirm you are running Chrome or Edge on a desktop or Android device rather than an embedded browser inside another app.
Device shows Not connected while plugged in
The port may have a connection fault, a driver may be interfering with enumeration, or the device may present itself through a stack that WebUSB does not expose. Move the device to a second port and cable to isolate the cause before assuming the hardware has failed.
The device disappears at random times
Intermittent dropouts usually point to a damaged or loose cable, an unpowered hub that cannot supply enough current, or a failing port. Reconnect the device directly to the machine, avoiding hubs and extension cables, and watch the live status while gently moving the connector.
Vendor is listed as Unknown
An Unknown label only means the vendor ID is absent from the bundled database, not that the device is broken. The VID and PID are still read correctly from the hardware, so you can search those numbers online or compare them with the label printed on the device packaging.
Only some of my devices are listed
This is expected behavior. WebUSB exposes only devices you explicitly authorize, and only those the browser can enumerate. Storage devices, development boards, and vendor-specific hardware appear most often, while operating-system-managed keyboards, mice, and phones usually do not.
The permission prompt never appears
The picker opens only in direct response to a click, so a blocked popup, an extension, or an enterprise browser policy can suppress it. Disable popup blocking for this site, try a private window with extensions off, and confirm the page is loaded over HTTPS rather than an insecure origin.
The serial number field is empty
The USB specification treats the serial number as optional, and many low-cost devices simply omit it. When the field is blank, identify the device by its vendor and product ID instead, or read the serial from the operating system device manager if the manufacturer provides one.
Two identical devices report different IDs
Devices from the same product line normally share a vendor and product ID but differ in serial number. If the vendor or product ID differs between two units that look identical, you may be holding a counterfeit, a revision change, or a device that reflashed its firmware.
Device appears on one computer but not another
When the same hardware enumerates on one machine and not on another, the device is probably fine and the difference lies in the port, the cable, the driver, or an operating system setting. Repeat the check on both machines with the same cable to remove the cable from the equation.
Device class is reported as zero
A class value of zero means the hardware defines its interfaces individually rather than declaring one device-wide class, which is common for composite products such as a headset that exposes audio and buttons separately. It is not an error, and the vendor and product IDs remain the most reliable way to identify the device.
The same device shows different names on two computers
Vendor and product IDs come from the hardware and never change, but the displayed product name depends on the version of the local database and on any driver-supplied strings the operating system adds. Compare the VID and PID values rather than the friendly names whenever you need a definitive match.
Privacy & Data Handling
Authorizing a device through WebUSB grants this page read-only access for the current session only. No device metadata, serial number, or usage data is uploaded, logged, or shared. The vendor and product lookup runs against a table bundled into the page, so identification works with no network request at all, and closing the tab ends the grant immediately. There is no account, no cookie tied to the check, and no server-side record, which means the device list exists only in the tab you are looking at and disappears the moment you navigate away or press clear.
USB Device Check FAQ
Why does my device not show up? ▼
WebUSB enumerates only devices you explicitly authorize in a Chromium browser, and only ones the browser can enumerate at all. Devices claimed by operating system drivers — most mice, keyboards, and phones using MTP — typically do not appear. This is expected behavior rather than a fault. Try a flash drive or a development board first, and confirm you are viewing the HTTPS version of this page in Chrome or Edge on a desktop or Android device. Treat this USB checker as a complete USB device test: run it right after plugging in new hardware, and keep the result handy before installing any vendor software.
Do I need to install anything? ▼
No. The tool runs entirely in your browser with no download, plugin, or extension. When you click the check button, Chrome or Edge shows the WebUSB device picker asking you to authorize the device you want to inspect. You remain in control of exactly which device this page may read, and the permission applies only to the current session and disappears when you close the tab. The grant is deliberately never persisted across page loads: the browser forgets it so that no site can silently regain access to your hardware, which is why you authorize the device again on each visit.
Which browsers are supported? ▼
The WebUSB API is available in Chromium browsers — Chrome, Edge, Opera, and a few others — on desktop and Android. Firefox and Safari do not implement WebUSB, so the tool displays a clear notice instead of failing silently. On supported browsers the page must be served over a secure HTTPS connection, which this site provides. The manual vendor and product ID lookup works in every browser without any API support.
What does the device class mean? ▼
The USB device class classifies how a device communicates. Class 7 is printers, class 3 is human interface devices such as keyboards and mice, class 8 is mass storage for flash drives and external drives, class 1 covers audio and video, and class 255 indicates a vendor-defined interface. Combined with the vendor and product name, the class tells you the generic type of hardware even when the product name is unfamiliar.
How do I know if my port or cable is the problem? ▼
Plug the device directly into the port you suspect and refresh the list. If it appears, that connection works. If it does not, try the same device in a different port and with a different cable. A device recognized on one port but not another points to the port; a device recognized with one cable but not another points to the cable; a device that fails on every port and cable points to the device or its driver.
Is my data private? ▼
Yes. All reads happen locally in your browser. The WebUSB API exposes only device metadata that your browser already knows, and we never upload or store that data. The vendor lookup uses a database bundled into the page, so identification never leaves your machine. There is no analytics call attached to the check, and revoking access is as simple as closing the tab.
What are Vendor ID and Product ID? ▼
A Vendor ID (VID) is a four-digit hexadecimal number assigned to a hardware manufacturer, and a Product ID (PID) is a four-digit hexadecimal number the manufacturer assigns to a specific product. Together they act as a fingerprint that operating systems and drivers use to match hardware with the correct software. For example, 046d identifies Logitech as the vendor, and the PID that follows distinguishes one Logitech model from another. To find them, read the Hardware Ids (VID_, PID_) on the Details tab of Windows Device Manager, use System Information on macOS, or run lsusb on Linux. Unknown simply means the VID is not yet in the local database, so search the numbers online.
Can I run this check on a phone or tablet? ▼
Yes, on Android devices running Chrome or another Chromium browser, because WebUSB is implemented there. The desktop layout adapts to a smaller screen and the picker works the same way. On iOS and iPadOS, WebUSB is not available in Safari or in browsers built on WebKit, so the page falls back to the manual vendor and product ID lookup, which still identifies any device from its VID and PID pair.
Why do my keyboard and mouse not appear? ▼
Keyboards and mice are claimed by operating system drivers before any web page can reach them, because the operating system needs them to function. WebUSB is not permitted to take over human interface devices that the OS is actively using, which prevents a page from capturing your keystrokes. This is a deliberate security boundary, and it means HID peripherals will not show up in the picker even when they are working perfectly.
Can I check a device before installing its driver? ▼
Yes, and this is one of the most practical uses of the tool. WebUSB reads the descriptors that the device reports over the bus, so basic identification works before any vendor driver is installed. That lets you confirm the hardware is alive and correctly recognized at the bus level, which helps you decide whether a problem lies in the device itself or in the driver you are about to install.
Does the check work through a USB hub or dock? ▼
It can, but hubs and docking stations add a layer that sometimes interferes with enumeration. If a device appears when plugged directly into the computer but not through a dock, the dock or its power supply is the likely cause. Unpowered hubs in particular may fail to supply enough current for external drives and capture devices, so test directly connected first to establish a baseline.
What is the difference between this and Device Manager? ▼
Device Manager and similar system utilities show every device the operating system has enumerated, including internal hardware and devices claimed by drivers. This page shows only what a web browser can legally see, which is a much smaller but more portable set. Device Manager is the right tool for driver management and hardware conflicts, while this page is faster for a quick cross-platform identification of a specific peripheral. Neither this page nor any browser-based tool can reliably report the negotiated link speed or the USB version in use: for that, use your operating system utilities or a dedicated hardware benchmark.
USB Device Check — Quick Summary
Identify and verify connected USB devices directly in your browser with this free, private WebUSB tool. See the vendor, product, device class, manufacturer, and serial number for any device you authorize, watch connect and disconnect events in real time, and isolate whether a fault lives in the port, the cable, the driver, or the device itself. Chrome and Edge are required for the live scan, while the manual VID and PID lookup works in every browser. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, and everything is processed on your own machine. Use it to confirm a purchase before you pay, to gather exact identifiers for a support request, or simply to answer the question of whether the computer can see the hardware at all.