Some smart card users may receive an error message from Windows Security that tells them their smart card cannot perform the requested operation. Even some users without the installation of a smart card will run into the error. So, how to fix the Windows Security smart card error? This post from MiniTool has the answers.

Windows Security Smart Card Error

Do you receive a message saying a Windows Security Smart Card error? This pop-up message means a misconfiguration. Because of this error, the Windows Security device will fail to perform the requested operation or the operation requires a different card.

The possible culprits may be corrupted SSL certificates, smart card driver issues, a problematic Windows update, or saved web credentials. Try the following methods and you can check if the Windows Security smart card error popup disappears.

Tips:
Windows Security smart card error may leave security vulnerabilities to cyber threats. If you are worried about data losses, you can try data backup with MiniTool ShadowMaker.
MiniTool ShadowMaker is a free backup software that can back up files, folders, partitions, disks, and your system. It allows automatic backups with available backup schemes, such as incremental and differential backups. Password protection is available for a higher level of security.

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Fix Windows Security Smart Card Error

Fix 1: Clear the SSL Certificates

When the smart card cannot perform the requested operation, you can try to clear the SSL certificates or delete all the saved web credentials.

Step 1: Open the Run dialog box by pressing Win + R and type inetcpl.cpl to enter the Internet Properties window.

Step 2: Go to the Content tab and click Clear SSL state.

click Clear SSL state

Step 3: After that, click Certificates and choose to remove the listed certificates.

Step 4: Go back to the properties window and click Apply > OK. Then you can restart your PC for the changes.

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Fix 2: Delete All the Saved Web Credentials

To delete all the saved web credentials, you can follow the next steps.

Step 1: Type Credential Manager in Search and open it.

Step 2: Under Web Credentials, expand all saved credentials and click Remove to remove all the saved credentials.

Fix 3: Update or Reinstall the Smart Card Driver

You may face the Windows Security smart card popup due to a corrupted smart card driver. You can choose to update or reinstall the driver.

Step 1: Type Device Manager in Search and open it.

Step 2: Expand and locate the smart card driver and right-click on it to choose Update driver. Follow the next instructions to finish the next moves.

If you want to reinstall the driver, please uninstall it first and restart the computer to let Windows automatically reinstall it. Alternatively, you can manually reinstall the driver from the official source.

Fix 4: Uninstall the Latest Windows Update

If you have installed Windows Update lately, you may consider if the boggy installation triggers the Windows Security smart card error. Try to uninstall the latest Windows update and see if the error can be resolved.

Step 1: Open Settings by pressing Win + I and choose Update & Security.

Step 2: In the Windows Update tab, click View update history and then Uninstall updates.

click Uninstall updates

Step 3: Locate and choose the latest update and click Uninstall to remove that.

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Fix 5: Reset Windows

If all the above methods can’t work, the most direct way to resolve the smart card error is to reset your PC.

Tips:
Before resetting Windows, you can choose to back up important data in case of data loss and MiniTool ShadowMaker is a good choice.

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Step 1: Open Settings > Update & Security.

Step 2: Go to the Recovery tab and click Get started under Reset this PC.

click Get started

Bottom Line

How to fix the Windows Security smart card error? The above methods are useful and you can try them one by one. Hope this article can resolve your concerns.

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