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List Connected USB Devices with lsusb

Use lsusb to identify plugged-in USB devices by vendor and product ID, and lsusb -t for a topology tree with bus speeds.

LinuxhardwarelsusbusbDiagnosticsLow risk
Run `lsusb` to list every connected USB device with its vendor and product IDs.

01Command

Command
$ lsusb

02What it does

Each line shows Bus, Device, and the ID like `046d:c52b` — searching that ID on the web tells you exactly which hardware you have, which is what you need to file a bug or find a driver. `lsusb -t` shows the tree of hubs and devices with the speed each port negotiated (12M/480M/5000M), useful for checking whether a fast drive got plugged into a slow port. `lsusb -v -d 046d:c52b` dumps full capability descriptors for one device.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementsusbutils package (preinstalled on almost all distros). Verbose detail: `lsusb -v -d 046d:c52b`; tree view: `lsusb -t`.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • lsusb(8) - Linux manual page
    Ubuntu Manpages · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: lsusb lists all USB buses and connected devices, with -v for verbose output and -t for a tree view showing speeds and drivers.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: System & Settings

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