Resolving VMware HCMon USB Arbitration Driver Error in Dell Encryption

Summary: Endpoints receive the error "VMware HCMon USB arbitration driver" running Dell Encryption Enterprise Shield (formerly Dell Data Protection | Enterprise Edition Shield).

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

Affected Products:

  • Dell Encryption
  • Dell Data Protection | Encryption
  • VMware

When Dell Encryption (formerly Dell Data Protection | Encryption) is installed on a Windows host machine, the error message "hcmon, event ID 0:. Detected unrecognized USB driver (\Driver\CmgPCS)" may be seen in the Windows event log. This is a known issue regarding VMware detecting the Dell Encryption Port Control driver that is inserted into the USB stack. This warning indicating there is another driver injecting, and results in no loss of functionality.

Error Message:

"hcmon, event ID 0:. Detected unrecognized USB driver (\Driver\CmgPCS)"

VMware HCMon USB arbitration driver errors in the Windows event log about an unknown driver

Event Viewer
Figure 1: (English only) "hcmon, event ID 0:. Detected unrecognized USB driver (\Driver\CmgPCS)" example in Event Viewer

 

Cause

Not Applicable

Resolution

These errors can be safely ignored, as they are indicating that the VMware USB Arbitrator is detecting the Dell Encryption Port Control Driver. No loss of functionality is incurred.

For reference, click here to the view VMware KB addressing similar issues Host USB device fails to function in a VMware Workstation or Player virtual machine This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..


To contact support, reference Dell Data Security International Support Phone Numbers.
Go to TechDirect to generate a technical support request online.
For additional insights and resources, join the Dell Security Community Forum.

Affected Products

Dell Encryption
Article Properties
Article Number: 000126155
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 10 Nov 2025
Version:  14
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