Pi Zero USB hub

[Hove]

Because the RPi Zero only has a single USB port, and I need keyboard (wired), mouse (wired) and Wifi (at least for initial configuration), I tried using a couple of passive USB hubs I had kicking around. Neither worked. Without the hub, and either keyboard or mouse plugged in directly (via the official uUSB to USB A adapter), all was fine. However, via the hub, even keyboard on it own didn't work.

I tried max_usb_current=1 even though that is an RPi2 specific

Anyone found a passive hub that works or a different way to add keyboard, mouse and dongle to the PiZero.

This is running latest Jessie image.

TIA

[liz]

You'll need a powered hub.

[Hove]

Cheers Liz, I was hoping to get away without the mess of wires for the CotswoldJam tomorrow. I'll dig out my 10 port powered from my rat's nest of spares!

[webuser011]

I am using a powered 4 port USB 3.0 hub and I am having the same problem. The peripherals work with the hub but I cannot get more than one peripheral working at a time.

[fruitoftheloom]

I am using a powered 4 port USB 3.0 hub and I am having the same problem. The peripherals work with the hub but I cannot get more than one peripheral working at a time.

Try a USB2 Mains Powered Hub, this question of USB3 Hubs not enumerating devices has been discussed, this is the short version:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentati ... nownissues

[geev03]

You'll need a powered hub.

Yes, I used one for the initial set up.

[Joe Schmoe]

You'll need a powered hub.

Yes, I used one for the initial set up.

Where does this display come from?

[Brandonjh00]

I don't know if it's just luck, or what, but I spliced a passive belkin usb hub with a micro usb to reduce to bulky adapter. Have been running with Pivos wifi, Logitech keyboard and mouse dongle, and a thumb drive without any issues.

[JANGER]

could you show any link for the hub you used?

I don't know if it's just luck, or what, but I spliced a passive belkin usb hub with a micro usb to reduce to bulky adapter. Have been running with Pivos wifi, Logitech keyboard and mouse dongle, and a thumb drive without any issues.

[Retroman]

I'm using a cheap Amazon basics 4 port hub on the Pi Zero. Its not a powered hub and I've a joystick(ms sidewinder), keyboard/mouse combo and edimax wifi dongle hooked up and all working on RetroPie.

So far all is working fine and I used the wifi a lot while setting up RetroPie as well as the Keyboard and jstick.

[ds18s20]

@Retroman could you show a picture of how that Amazon hub is connected to the Pi Zero? What goes where kind of a picture...? Thanks

[leol]

Try the Broadcom WiFi adaptor and USB hub. https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/usb- ... fi-adaptor
Works great. I keep a couple in my tool kit for setting up Pis before running them headless.

[java]

Okay, so USB 3 hubs can be problematic with the RPi Zero even if the same Hub works with RPi B and RPi 2 B.

I only have the one Hub, and need it to get my Wi-Fi working.

So due to the USB 3 hub, issues, would the SD card for the Zero work in my RPi B, then I can set it up, get it working, so it can run headless, or would the RPi 2 B, be a better option?

[fruitoftheloom]

Okay, so USB 3 hubs can be problematic with the RPi ZeZeroeven if the same Hub works with RPi B and RPi 2 B.

I only have the one Hub, and need it to get my Wi-Fi working.

So due to the USB 3 hub, issues, would the SD card for the Zero work in my RPi B, then I can set it up, get it working, so it can run headless, or would the RPi 2 B, be a better option?

Yes the SD Card with Raspbian Jessie is backward compatible....

[startrek.steve]

Could a Zero power a WiFi dongle and an 8gb usb stick without a powered hub? its fine running the WiFi dongle

Steve

[solar3000]

I use an unpowered hub on the zero. BUT I use low power USB devices.

My setup:
pi zero
hub
EDIMAX 7811n (wifi)
logitech unified thing ( connects to all their keyboards and mice)


After I've set up wifi and everything else, my setup becomes this:
pi zero
EDIMax 7811n

Everything is controlled thru ssh and wifi.

[alphanumeric]

I've plugged a wireless keyboard, WIFI dongle and USB thumb drive into my Zero with an el cheapo NexxTech USB unpowered hub. They all worked OK. Keyboard was a Logitech with the Unifying receiver. WIFI dongle is a LB-Link 802.11 N.

[mutley]

I'm not sure on the correct terminology, but you need an active hub or a hub with it's own IC controller, powered vs non-powered is irreverent.
Some USB hubs simple duplicate the signal basically giving the upstream USB controller more ports. Others add a USB controller IC, ie actually register as another USB device with the upstream controller. Since the zero can only support one physical port with it's onboard USB controller IC, a hub without it's own IC controller will not work.

[startrek.steve]

OK I tried my Zero with an unpowered hub with Wifi and USB stick in the hub. SSH'd in fine, browsed the stick, all seemed fine, rebooted and got a boot failure to emergency repair menu. pulled the hub out and ran just with just the Wifi on the Zero - all fine again, works fine on a 4 port powered hub with the WiFi and usb stick in the powered hub. I guess the Zero can only take one usb device on its own.

Steve

[fruitoftheloom]

OK I tried my Zero with an unpowered hub with Wifi and USB stick in the hub. SSH'd in fine, browsed the stick, all seemed fine, rebooted and got a boot failure to emergency repair menu. pulled the hub out and ran just with just the Wifi on the Zero - all fine again, works fine on a 4 port powered hub with the WiFi and usb stick in the powered hub. I guess the Zero can only take on usb device on its own.

Steve

From the gazillion posts it would appear that it is a minefield whether or not Chinese Cheap Hubs work, it would help others if you posted details of the Hub you used.

[startrek.steve]

OK I tried my Zero with an unpowered hub with Wifi and USB stick in the hub. SSH'd in fine, browsed the stick, all seemed fine, rebooted and got a boot failure to emergency repair menu. pulled the hub out and ran just with just the Wifi on the Zero - all fine again, works fine on a 4 port powered hub with the WiFi and usb stick in the powered hub. I guess the Zero can only take one usb device on its own.

Steve

From the gazillion posts it would appear that it is a minefield whether or not Chinese Cheap Hubs work, it would help others if you posted details of the Hub you used.

The Unpowered one I used was a Freebie from an RM (Research Machines) conference, the powered one was an official 4 port one from Pihut I think, it was the one I bought for my first Pi, it was replaced with another official 7 port one.

[java]

I use a USB 2, 4 port Targus hub, with a WN725N Wi-Fi adapter, 32Gig. Sandisk Memory stick, keyboard and mouse, works fine. It is an non-powered hub. Can substitute a Chronos USB ethernet adapter, for the Wi-Fi adapter without issues.

My j5create USB 3, powered hub does not work with my RPi Zero.

[TheGuyUk]

My set up if i helps is

A Poundland unpowered white usb 2 hub 4 ports, one usb WiFi dongle widemac, one wireless mini keyboard with Touchpad dongle, connected by a micro usb connector to USB.

You need a strong power supply as mentioned on the OTG.

[asandford]

A Poundland unpowered white usb 2 hub 4 ports

Got one of those a couple of weeks back and found that it happily runs a USB3 1Gbps Ethernet adapter, and with an "A" to "A" cable will power the Pi as well - not bad for a quid.

[yellowspanner]

So is the Amazon basics hub a good bet? Going to need to run a keyboard, a mouse and wifi dongle.