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Windows Security Not Recognizing Inserted CAC

Anonymous
2024-04-05T14:33:51+00:00

Up until yesterday, my Adesso CAC reader was working without issue and Windows was letting me sign-in to CAC enabled websites from home without issue. However, trying to access email yesterday, I selected my proper security certificate from my CAC but then I get another pop-up from Windows Security saying directing me to "Connect a Smart Card". After this happens, I am locked out of any CAC enabled sites and don't even receive any further prompts or pop-ups when reloading the page.

To reiterate, when initially trying to sign-in, I am prompted to select a security cert so the card is initially recognized. Windows Security then pops up, after selecting my cert, and is telling me to insert a smart card.

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Devices and drivers***

Windows for business | Windows Server | Directory services | Certificates and public key infrastructure (PKI)

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-10T15:33:49+00:00

    Same thing happened to me. My computer downloaded the Windows 11 updates on 9 December 2024. Since then I can no longer sign into anything requiring CAC certificates.

    I’ve cleared internet options, reinstalled CAC reader, and searched for advice on this issue.

    My next step is to reverse the update and go back to the previous one until the issue can be resolved.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-09T00:25:04+00:00

    There may be an issue with the compatibility of the drivers of cleanliness of your CAC. Sometimes updates to Windows may disrupt a specific configuration that worked.

    Card not reading:

    Try cleaning the contacts of your CAC with isopropyl.

    Issues with the reader:

    Check device manager for the presence of your Card reader and inserted CAC Smart Card.

    Image Image

    You may try uninstalling them and your USB Root Hubs to flush the history of their installation. You may temporarily loose access to USB devices. Select Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the hardware if your mouse/keyboard still function. Rebooting your computer at any time will also reinstall the hardware. You may have to do this if your mouse/keyboard are no longer functional.

    Alternate drivers:

    If the default drivers do not work properly, see if they can be changed to a Microsoft Smartcard reader driver similar to the second USB Card reader I have highlighted in my screenshot. Sometimes that driver (if compatible) will work on systems or networks that are incompatible with the automatically installed driver.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-10T16:30:12+00:00

    I tried the suggested fix and it did not work.

    Windows is telling me that it does not have enough information to verify the certificates. So it is recognizing that I have the proper certs but Windows Security does not identify my CAC as being inserted still even though my browsers do.

    I have installed the most recent Windows update.

    This is a frustrating issue as I went months without this being an issue to all of a sudden being locked out of using my CAC overnight.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2024-12-12T14:26:46+00:00

    After much digging please see the solution I posted today

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2024-04-08T07:49:05+00:00

    Hello,

    For your problem, we recommend you try the following steps:

    1. Make sure your CAC reader is properly plugged into your computer and the drivers are installed correctly. You can try reseating the CAC reader or check the status of the CAC reader in Device Manager.
    2. Make sure your certificate is installed correctly and has not expired. You can check the status of the certificate in Certificate Manager.
    3. Try using your CAC reader and certificate on another computer to determine if the problem is related to your computer.
    4. If the problem persists, try running Windows System File Checker (SFC) and the DISM tool to repair any possible system file corruption.

    Run SFC: Open the command prompt with administrator rights, enter sfc /scannow and press Enter. The system will automatically scan and repair system files. After the scan is complete, restart your computer to see if the problem is resolved.

    Run DISM: If SFC fails to resolve the issue, then run the following command in the command prompt for a deep system repair: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth This will check and repair the integrity of the Windows image. After the operation is completed, restart the computer again and observe whether the CAC reader returns to normal.

    Best Regards,

    Yanhong Liu

    ============================================

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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