Earphones connected via USB prompt dom0 popup as if they were a keyboard

User Support Hardware Issues
1

I connected my Jabra Elite 75t earphones case via USB, just to charge them from the computer, and I got a popup from dom0 asking if I want to connect a keyboard :face_with_monocle:.

I usually connect them with a USB condom, so no data can pass through, only electricity. I thought I was being too paranoid. Now I wonder if it’s possible that the headphones have some kind of malware.

But most likely the earphones case is just misidentifying itself when connected via USB.

I’d love to read opinions on this.

2

This is a known issue. Marmarta mentioned the exact issue during the latest Qubes OS 2025 summit.

The happens because of the mute/volume-up/volume-down buttons on the headphone. There could be a USB hub/bridge in the headphone. And one or more devices attached to it. As an example. a class-complaint audio device and a virtual HID keyboard to send the ANSI codes for the mentioned buttons to the PC.