How to Find Vendor ID and Product ID for Your USB Device

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, developer, or just trying to troubleshoot a pesky USB device, understanding how to check the Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID) of your USB can be extremely helpful. These IDs are like fingerprints for devices—they uniquely identify the manufacturer and type of the USB hardware connected to your system. In this post, we'll walk you through how to find these identifiers on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Why Vendor ID and Product ID Matter

The Vendor ID (VID) is assigned by the USB Implementers Forum to uniquely identify the manufacturer, while the Product ID (PID) is specific to a particular product made by that manufacturer. Knowing these IDs is important for:

• Troubleshooting device issues.
• Driver installations for unknown devices.
• Developers needing to interact with USB devices in their applications.

Let’s explore how to locate these IDs across different operating systems.

Checking Vendor ID and Product ID on Windows

Method 1: Using Device Manager

The Device Manager is the most straightforward way to find VID and PID information on a Windows system:

1. Connect Your Device: Plug your USB device into the computer.
2. Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start button, then select Device Manager.
3. Locate the USB Device: Scroll through the list to find your USB device. It could be listed under "Universal Serial Bus controllers," "Other devices," or even a category related to the type of device (e.g., "Human Interface Devices").
4. View Properties: Right-click the USB device and select Properties.
5. Details Tab: Navigate to the Details tab.
6. Find Hardware IDs: In the Property dropdown menu, select Hardware IDs. Here you will see an entry that looks like USB\VID_1234&PID_5678..., where 1234 is the Vendor ID and 5678 is the Product ID.

Method 2: Use a Third-Party Tool

If you want more detailed information or a user-friendly interface, try tools like:

1. USBDeview: A compact tool that lists all USB devices connected, providing VID, PID, and other useful details.
2. USB Device Tree Viewer: Useful for a visual representation of the USB connections.

Checking Vendor ID and Product ID on macOS

macOS users can use the System Information tool to access USB information:

1. Connect Your Device: Plug in the USB device.
2. Open System Information: Press Command (⌘) + Space to open Spotlight and type System Information. Press Enter.
3. Navigate to USB Section: In the System Information window, look for the USB section under Hardware.
4. Locate Your Device: Select the USB device in question from the list of connected devices.
5. Find VID and PID: The Vendor ID and Product ID will be displayed in the detailed information.

Checking Vendor ID and Product ID on Linux

Linux users have multiple ways to identify their USB devices using terminal commands:

Method 1: Using lsusb Command

1. Open Terminal: Connect your USB device and open a terminal window.

Run lsusb: Type the following command:
bash
Copy code
lsusb

This will display a list of connected USB devices. The output might look like:
yaml
Copy code
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 1234:5678 Manufacturer_Name Product_Name

2. The ID 1234:5678 contains the Vendor ID (1234) and Product ID (5678).

Method 2: Using dmesg Command

You can also use the dmesg command to get detailed system messages:

Run dmesg:
bash
Copy code
dmesg | grep -i usb

1. This will display USB-related system messages, which can include VID and PID information for connected devices.

Conclusion

Finding the Vendor ID and Product ID of a USB device is quite simple once you know where to look. These IDs are invaluable for diagnosing problems, setting up correct drivers, or developing custom USB applications.

1. Windows users can find it in Device Manager or use tools like USBDeview.
2. macOS users can use System Information.
3. Linux users can easily retrieve it with commands like lsusb or dmesg.

Whether you're troubleshooting or simply curious about your hardware, understanding how to find VID and PID can give you greater control over your connected devices.

Have Questions or Need Help?

If you’re running into issues or need more help identifying a particular device, leave a comment below! We’re here to help you navigate the world of USB technology.