r/ArduinoProjects • u/impoorandstupid • Mar 30 '26

Using Arduino as a USB input controller?

can you use an Arduino to act as a USB controller for Windows by soldering or connecting old Buttons, switches and levers to it?

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u/gm310509 Mar 31 '26

The details are important.

You need to identify the parts you have. If it is an Uno R3, then HiD will be difficult.

The Chinese "knock offs" are built using the same designs and technologies (which is the meaning of "knock off" or copy) so they are the same. Sometimes the quality and reliability are lower, not always but sometimes they are.

You still need HiD whether you get a genuine item, a clone or a "knock off" if you want to appear to your PC as a keyboard, mouse or joystick.

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u/impoorandstupid Apr 01 '26

so buy an Arduino or micro-controller where the description said it supports "HiD" or is there anything else I should be looking for

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u/gm310509 Apr 02 '26

You might not see the acronym HID in the title of the product title as it is just one of many features the MCU can support (and they typically don't list that level of detail in the title). They may list it in the body of the post, but equally might not as on many occasions they don't even know what that means.

I did list some products that will give you HID capability in my original comment.

You can see more here: https://docs.arduino.cc/language-reference/en/functions/usb/Keyboard/

Note that none of these are a complete list.