dmesg | grep -i ffff
Unplug all non-essential USB devices. Plug them back one by one while refreshing Device Manager. When VID_FFFF appears, you’ve found the culprit.
Also, note that 1201 (hex) = 4609 in decimal. Some counterfeit chips also report PID_2303 with VID_FFFF , but 1201 is more common in post-2018 drivers. usb device id vid ffff pid 1201
The USB identifiers typically designate a generic or "unbranded" USB Mass Storage Device
The VID FFFF is a special Vendor ID that indicates a device is a "vendor-specific" device. This means that the device is not a standard USB device, and its functionality is not defined by the USB-IF. Devices with a VID of FFFF are often used for proprietary or custom applications. dmesg | grep -i ffff Unplug all non-essential USB devices
If your drive shows this ID, you are likely experiencing one of the following:
The USB device control endpoint (EP0) responds to GET_DESCRIPTOR requests. A healthy device returns: Also, note that 1201 (hex) = 4609 in decimal
The best cure is prevention:
Avoid unless you are a Linux expert who likes pain. For a $5 difference, buy an authentic Adafruit or SparkFun board (or even a known-good FTDI clone with a real VID). This FFFF:1201 device is a time-waster and a potential security risk.