Smart Card service stopped - ActivClient reports no reader
windowsError 1920
Symptoms
Device Manager shows the reader fine, but ActivClient says no reader / no card; the CAC tile is missing from the lock screen.
Likely cause
Windows 'Smart Card' service (SCardSvr) is not running or has lost the registry permissions LOCAL SERVICE needs.
Fix
1. Start > type services.msc.
2. Find 'Smart Card'. Set Startup type to Automatic and click Start.
3. Also start 'ActivIdentity Shared Store Service'.
If the service will not start:
4. Open regedit and go to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais.
5. Right-click Calais > Permissions. Ensure LOCAL SERVICE is listed; if not, Add > type 'LOCAL SERVICE' > Check Names > OK.
6. Select Local Service > Advanced > Edit > tick Allow for Query Value, Set Value, Create Subkey, Enumerate Subkeys, Notify, Delete, Read Control.
7. Reboot, then start Smart Card and ActivClient Middleware services again.
For a faster fix, download the prebuilt Windows10-SCardSVR.zip from militarycac.com and merge the .reg file.
Sourced from militarycac.com. Rewritten for clarity.
Didn't work, or need it tailored to your setup?
Ask the AI assistant