cac reader

Question

why doesn't my cac reader work. It doesn't have a problem with my other laptop, it doesn't want to read my usb. I want to know why its not accessing it. I need it to work since I'm in the military.

Answer 1

Hi Aron Yanez,

Since your CAC reader works on another laptop, the hardware and card are likely fine. This behavior usually means the issue is related to how Windows is detecting or initializing the reader on this specific device.

Here are some checking steps that you can try at this point:

1, Check if Windows fully initializes the reader

• Open Device Manager
• Locate your reader under Smart card readers
• If it appears normal, disconnect it > restart the PC > reconnect after startup

2, Confirm Windows can actively detect card insertion - insert your CAC card and observe:

• Any prompt from Windows Security
• LED behavior on the reader

3, Try a direct USB connection

• Connect the reader directly to the PC (avoid USB hubs/docking stations)
• Prefer a different port (e.g., switch between USB 2.0 / 3.0)

If you can share what you see in Device Manager or any error message and your Windows version, I can help you narrow this down further.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

On Windows devices, CAC and other smart card readers can fail for several driver- and card-related reasons. The context covers several common Windows issues and their resolutions:

1. Check Device Manager for error codes

• Open Device Manager and find the smart card reader (often listed as “Microsoft Usbccid Smartcard Reader” or under Smart card readers).
• If there is a yellow warning icon, open Properties and check the error code:
  • Code 31: “This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.”
    • Resolution (Windows 10, version 1903 and later):
      1. Add this registry key:
         • Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais\Readers
         • Name: RetryDeviceInitialize
         • Type: DWORD (32-bit)
         • Data: 1
      2. Restart the computer so the smart card driver can re-initialize successfully.
  • Code 10 (on Windows 8.1 / Server 2012 R2):
    • Install update 2919355 (Windows 8.1 / Server 2012 R2 April 2014 update) to fix CCID smart card reader issues.

2. If the card is not recognized or the app hangs

• On Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2, some smart cards return more data than the application expects when using the APDU protocol. The Usbccid.sys driver then returns STATUS_DEVICE_PROTOCOL_ERROR, and the smart card application can’t read the card and may stop responding.
• This is a known issue with some smart cards and the USB CCID driver; updating the system with the relevant hotfix or updated driver is required in those environments.

3. If inserting the card shows “Device driver software was not successfully installed”

• For certain smart cards, Smart Card Plug and Play may not correctly identify a provider.
• The documented resolution is to create a registry entry under:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais\SmartCards
  • (and for x64 also under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais\SmartCards)
• This associates the card with a non-existing provider to disable Plug and Play for that specific card. The recommended way is to use WinSCard APIs rather than editing the registry directly.

4. General guidance for CAC on Surface/Windows devices

• CAC and PIV cards are supported for two-factor authentication on supported hardware (for example, Surface Laptop models with integrated smart card reader), providing secure access for DoD users.
• If the reader and card work on another laptop but not on the current one, the most likely causes are:
  • Missing or failing CCID/smart card reader driver (check Device Manager and apply the Code 31/Code 10 fixes above where applicable).
  • OS version-specific issues (for example, Windows 8.1 requiring update 2919355).
  • Smart card Plug and Play mis-detection, requiring the SmartCards registry configuration described above.

Because CAC is mission-critical for military use, if driver fixes and Windows updates do not resolve the issue, escalation through the organization’s IT or security office is recommended so they can:

• Confirm OS version and required updates.
• Verify reader firmware and driver versions.
• Apply any DoD-specific configuration or middleware required for CAC on that device.

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References:

• Code 31 in Device Manager when Microsoft Usbccid Smartcard Reader is in a problem state
• Code 10 error when you use a CCID smartcard reader or USB token in Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2
• Smartcard application cannot read information from some smartcards on a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2
• Error message when you insert a smart card in a reader: Device driver software was not successfully installed
• Surface Laptop Smart Card Reader Overview