# 3. Test usbipd list
Check the column. If it is blank, right-click the service and select Start .
The Windows service crashed, was manually stopped, or failed to trigger during system boot.
Double-click the service and ensure the is set to Automatic . Alternative via PowerShell (Run as Administrator): powershell Start-Service -Name usbipd Use code with caution. Step 2: Resolve Administrative Privilege Conflicts
If you recently updated WSL or the usbipd-win MSI package, the old service instance might be orphaned. A manual stop and start usually clears this. The Windows service crashed, was manually stopped, or
If you are using usbipd-win for WSL2, ensure your environment is ready:
Ensure that C:\Program Files\usbipd-win\ is present in your Windows System PATH environment variables. If the CLI cannot find its own service executable, it triggers the warning. 4. Configure Windows Firewall and Security Software
(This attempts to kill any stuck processes).
It means the essential usbipd background service on your Windows machine is not running, so the usbipd command-line tool cannot perform its primary functions (e.g., binding or attaching USB devices). Step 2: Resolve Administrative Privilege Conflicts If you
Ensure the Linux-side usbip tools are installed. On Debian/Ubuntu distributions, run:
If the service refuses to start or errors out immediately with an "Access Denied" or "File Not Found" system prompt, the installation binaries are likely damaged or blocked. Clean Reinstallation via Winget
usbipd relies heavily on the underlying Hyper-V architecture that powers WSL 2.
USB/IP (USB over IP) allows USB devices connected to one computer to be accessed over a network. The project implements this for Windows, enabling WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to use USB devices like flash drives, Arduino boards, or RF dongles. Step 3: Repair or Reinstall USBIPD-WIN
If this returns a process ID (PID) that is not usbipd.exe , you must identify and reconfigure the conflicting software. 2. Reset the Default Windows Firewall Rules
While the prompt suggests a simple system restart, a reboot frequently fails to solve the underlying problem. This comprehensive guide details why this error happens and provides step-by-step methods to permanently resolve it. Why Does This Error Occur?
A reboot fixes the problem by forcing Windows to re-evaluate its "Automatic" start services. However, you can usually resolve this in seconds without closing your work by manually triggering the service. Quick Fixes Instead of a full restart, try these steps in order:
If this returns a process ID (PID), another software application is using the port. You will need to stop that application or reconfigure USBIPD to use an alternative port by modifying its service executable arguments in the Windows Registry. Step 3: Repair or Reinstall USBIPD-WIN