Repository navigation
Error Messages for "Missing libvirtualhid" should not be presented as errors, but rather an option for purchased enhanced functionality #5650
Description
Activity
Reading the two error messages closer - the first one is the one that's the issue as it's very much an error message.
The second one stating "license" loosely implies a cost, but doesn't outright state that it's paid.
I believe that knowing the driver is both "paid" and "optional for enhanced functionality" should be upfront information ideally in the first message a new user reads.
Agree, I'm working on an improvement.
Reacted by Kalidibus, Jacob Hedman and FelitendoWould like to highlight that this has not been well received by the community.
Reacted by Jay, Michel Berg, chareuleu, Jacob Hedman, Felitendo, Sami Benyahia and P-a-d-r-a-i-gI have put up an improvement in #5653 and merged... it should clear things up and removing the nag "warnings/notifications" once you set the
gamepad_driveroption in the config.There's a lot of wrong information in that reddit thread, and I'm not going to get involved there. It's a good example of why we should all spend less time on the internet.
What I will say is the following:
There is no intention to force anyone to purchase a license now, or ever. That's why I left ViGEmBus in there. If I wanted everyone to pay I would have just removed ViGEmBus support altogether, and I would have also charged on the Linux side as well. I have no intention of removing ViGEmBus from Sunshine as long as it continues to work on Windows, and I have no intention of charging on Linux. This was also in beta/pre-release for nearly a month and there was no negative feedback about it.
The driver is currently user mode and signed using an IV/OV certificate. The intent is to eventually sign with an EV certificate which will allow more features in the gamepad driver, and allow the driver to work on Windows ARM devices. Windows ARM devices do not allow IV/OV certificates for drivers, so an EV cert is unavoidable in order to support that platform. But EV signing is very costly, and requires an official business in order to get one.
$350/yr + the subscription based on how many signings.
Most likely would need tier 2 or tier 3 at least.
The EV certificate also requires the business to have existed for 3 years prior to being validated. I've also created an LLC to get all this going. So that's an ongoing cost and burden. I have to file annual reports, taxes, compliance, etc.
The EV signing cost would be on top of the thousands of dollars I already put into Sunshine every year.
- locked and limited conversation to collaborators
on Sep 9, 2026
Is there an existing issue for this?
Is your issue described in the documentation?
Is your issue present in the latest beta/pre-release?
This issue is present in the latest pre-release
Describe the Bug
The attached error messages are very unclear to a new (or even experienced user). While it does state the functionality that is limited by not having a license, if you are not familiar with the details of what is covered, and what isn't by the existing functionality, then it implies that Sunshine will not work, and that the error must be resolved before continuing.
This is further compounded by the fact that the fallback solution does not seem to be automatically installed in the latest version on a fresh install (tested yesterday)
Additionally - when you proceed to the page to download and install the driver, it is not clear that this is a paid product at any point until after you have installed it and are presented with a new message instructing you to enter a paid license.
Expected Behavior
Error message should be updated. Rather than indicate "This is an error, and it is required to fix it for [ABC]..." It should be rephrased as "In order to enable enhanced functionality such as [ABC] and support Sunshine development, consider purchasing a license for libvirtualhid and installing the driver [here]" or anything like that.
Additional Context
No response
Host Operating System
Windows
Operating System Version
Windows 10
Architecture
amd64/x86_64
Package
Windows - msi installer (recommended)
GPU Type
NVIDIA
GPU Model
3060
GPU Driver/Mesa Version
Not relevant
Capture Method
No response
Apps
Log output
Online logs
No response