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Asked: 2024-09-23T18:58:22+05:30 In: ,

I am having trouble getting my CH340 serial device to show up in the /dev directory while using WSL. Can anyone provide guidance on how to troubleshoot this issue or get the device recognized in the WSL environment?

I’ve been pulling my hair out over this issue I’m having with my CH340 serial device while trying to use it in WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). I’ve done a fair bit of digging and testing, but I just can’t seem to get the device to show up in the /dev directory, which is really frustrating because I need it for a project I’m working on.

So here’s the deal: I’ve got this CH340 like a lot of people have, and I’ve made sure that the drivers are correctly installed on Windows. The device shows up fine in the Device Manager, but when I switch to my WSL environment, it’s like the device just disappears. I feel like I’ve tried everything – I’ve rebooted both Windows and WSL, re-plugged the device in, and even messed around with a few settings in the WSL configuration files.

From what I can tell, WSL doesn’t provide direct access to USB devices, which makes this whole situation even more tricky. A few people online suggested using USB/IP or even WSL2 with a virtualized environment, but I’m not entirely sure how to set that up or if it’s even the right direction. I tried following some tutorials, but they seem to gloss over quite a few steps, and honestly, I’m not super techy when it comes to virtualization stuff.

Has anyone had luck getting their CH340 or similar USB devices to work in WSL? If you have any tricks, tips, or even just a nudge in the right direction, I’d be really grateful. I’m especially interested in whether there’s a streamlined way to do this or any common pitfalls to look out for. Feeling stuck and would love to hear if anyone’s faced this as well or if there’s any glimmer of hope for getting this sorted out! Thanks a million in advance.

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    2 Answers



    1. CH340 in WSL Help

      CH340 Serial Device in WSL Troubleshooting

      Oh man, I totally feel your pain! Dealing with USB devices in WSL can be such a headache. From what you’ve said, it sounds like you’re in a tough spot, but don’t worry, you’re not alone!

      So yeah, WSL doesn’t natively support USB devices, and that’s definitely a bummer. You mentioned trying USB/IP and WSL2, which are good avenues to explore. Here’s a couple of things you could try:

      Using USB/IP

      1. First, you’ll want to make sure that you have a USB/IP compatible setup. You can check USB/IP documentation for guidance on getting that going.
      2. Once you have it set up, it typically requires both Windows and WSL setups. You might need to run some commands in Windows to “share” the USB device over to WSL.
      3. Then, on the WSL side, you’ll have to bind it so you can see it in the /dev directory. You might need to use a command like usbip attach -r localhost -b (you’d replace with the actual bus ID of your device).

      Double-Check Your WSL Version

      If you’re using WSL1, consider switching to WSL2 since it has a more complete Linux kernel and potentially better USB support (though it’s not perfect). You can check your version by running wsl -l -v in a Windows command prompt.

      Virtualization Approach

      Another friendly suggestion is if you’re up for it, you could set up a full-fledged virtual machine using something like VirtualBox or VMware. Install a Linux distro there and see if it recognizes your CH340 device. It’s a bit more work, but it’s another workaround! Just make sure to enable USB support in the settings of the VM.

      Common Pitfalls

      • Make sure the device is not being accessed by another application in Windows while you’re trying to use it in WSL.
      • Check that your user account has the right permissions to access USB devices (you might need to be in the ‘dialout’ group).
      • Keep an eye on the WSL logs for any error messages that might give clues.

      Hope some of this helps! It can be super frustrating, but hang in there! Keep asking questions, and you’ll get through this.



    2. It sounds like you’re encountering a common limitation with WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) when it comes to accessing USB devices directly. Indeed, prior to WSL 2, there wasn’t native support for USB device access, and even in WSL 2, the support is still limited. To get your CH340 device recognized, you might want to consider using a virtual machine (VM) solution, such as VirtualBox or VMware, where you can install a full Linux distribution that will have greater access to USB devices. This method generally allows for a more straightforward connection as the VM can directly interface with your host’s USB ports, thereby making devices like your CH340 available within the Linux environment.

      Alternatively, as you’ve mentioned, using USB/IP is a potential solution that can enable USB device sharing across different systems. This requires a bit of setup, as you’ll need to configure both the Windows and WSL environments to properly route USB traffic. Resources such as step-by-step documentation and community forums may help clarify the process, as it tends to be more involved. Additionally, ensure you are running the latest version of WSL and check the WSL integration settings in your Windows configuration. If you opt for virtualization, look into USB passthrough options available in the VM software you choose. This should hopefully give you a clearer path to accessing your CH340 device in a Linux environment.


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