If LOCAL SERVICE is not listed, click , type LOCAL SERVICE , and click OK . Select LOCAL SERVICE and check the Full Control box. Reboot your computer . Step 6: Validate with Command Line
Right-click an empty space, select , and name it RetryDeviceInitialize . Double-click the new value and set the Value data to 1 . Restart your computer. 4. Verify Hardware & Middleware
If this subkey is missing or empty when your reader is plugged in, the system is failing to register the device properly. the smart card reader is not configured properly install
Local Group Policies can sometimes block smart card redirection or plug-and-play installation processes, especially on corporate networks.
In Windows, this error often appears with a specific code, such as "Code 31," which states: "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device" . The following solutions target the most common causes of this problem. If LOCAL SERVICE is not listed, click ,
Is this for a or a corporate/government network (like a military CAC)?
Return to , right-click the reader, and select Uninstall device . Step 6: Validate with Command Line Right-click an
Device Manager handles hardware communication. Reinstalling the driver resets the configuration to factory defaults.
Sometimes the problem isn't the reader, but the system's ability to read the actual card inserted into it. Open again.
Some readers without physical PIN pads can be locked by OpenSC, which might be waiting for user input on the device itself. To solve this, you need to edit a configuration file:
Ensure the card is inserted fully and in the correct orientation (usually chip-side up and forward). 2. Restart and Configure Smart Card Services