Fix Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) errors in Windows 10 / 11

Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) is a software library which encrypts your passwords, PIN, Fingerprint security protections, secure your emails, even adding a signature to pdf files -everything which is needed to be secured. But, sometimes CSP error fails to provide a secure signature and returns error message on your computer, stating “The Windows Cryptographic Service Provider reported an error the keyset is not defined,  the key does not exist, the key not valid, the object was not found, invalid signature, the parameter is incorrect, access is denied.” This problem usually happens due to corrupted signature files, or due to broken certificate settings. If you are facing the same problem on your device, then don’t worry.

Alongside this issue, users are also complaining about these problems related to cryptographic services-

1. The Windows Cryptographic Service Provider error in Adobe – The Windows Cryptographic service is failing to add signature to the pdf files when it is opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. The Windows Cryptographic Service Provider error does not have the security token: Error 214807xxxx– A particular certificate is causing this issue( The error code can be different for different cases). Consider deleting the certificate from your computer which can solve the problem for you.
3. Windows Cryptographic Service Provider reported an error code 0, 1400 – This issue happens mainly because of a 3rd party security service provider. “ePass 2003” is the main cause of concern on most of the user’s device.

There are some simple solutions which can fix your problem. But before going ahead for the fixes, attempt these initial workarounds, which can solve your problem with minimal efforts.

Initial Workarounds-

1. Reboot your computer. This will reset the computer to the default state, which can solve the problem.
2. Update your Windows 10 device from Windows Settings. If any of the updates are pending, then apply the update.
3. Make sure Adobe Reader is updated to the latest version.

If any of these workarounds didn’t work out for you, go through these fixes which will solve your problem-

 

Fix-1 Restart Cryptographic service-

Restarting cryptographic services from Services window can solve the problem for you. To restart Cryptographic services, follow these easy steps-

1. At first, you have to press the ‘Windows key‘ and the ‘R‘ keys together.

2. Here, you have to type “services.msc” and then click on “OK“.



 

Services Run

 

2. In the Services window, scroll down to find “Cryptographic Services” and right-click on it and then click on “Restart“.

 

Crypro Restart

 

Close Services window.

Reboot your computer and after rebooting check if you are still facing the certificate issue.

If you are still facing the same issue go for the next fix.

 

Fix-2 Delete the problematic Certificate-

You can delete the problematic certificate you are facing problem. You have to open Internet Properties for this-

1. Press Windows Key+R to open Run, now type “inetcpl.cpl” and hit Enter to open Internet Properties window.

 

Internet Properties

 

2. Now, you have to click on the “Content” tab, and then click on “Certificates“.

 

Internet Prop Certificates

 

3. Now, in the Certificates window, check if you can find any certificate in the “Personal” tab.

4. If you can’t, then click on the “Other People” tab.

5. Now, click on the problematic certificate and then click on “Remove“.

6. After removing the certificate, click on “Close” to close the Certificates window.

 

Certificate Removal

 

Close Internet Properties window.

Reboot your computer and after rebooting check if you are still facing the same issue with the Cryptographic service or not.

 

 

Fix-3 Delete Adobe Acrobat registry key-

Deleting Adobe Acrobat registry key from your computer can solve your problem. Now, to do so, follow these easy steps-



1. What you need to do at first is to press the ‘Windows key+S‘.

2. Now, type “regedit” in the search box and then click on the “Registry Editor” to open it.

 

Regedit

 

3. Now, in this Registry Editor window, on the left pane expand to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat.0

4. Now, right-click on that key and click on “Export“. (Note that the key 11.0 may be different depending upon the acrobat version)

 

Exporting A Key

 

5. Now, choose a suitable place to export the registry key. Name the key as “backup1” and click on “Save“. If anything goes wrong you can use this backup registry key.

 

Backup

 

6. Now, right-click on the 11.0 key, and then click on “Delete“.

 

Reg Delete

 

7. Click on “Yes” to confirm deleting the key.

 

Confirm Deleteregistry

 

This will delete the problematic key from your computer.

Reboot your computer and after rebooting check if you are still facing the cryptographic issue or not.

 

Fix-4 Use Smart Card or Active Key-

Some users have fixed their problem-related top the Cryptographic Services by using a Smart card or an Active Key. Follow these easy steps-

1. Click on the search box beside Windows Icon, and type “encryption” and click on “Manage File Encryption Certificates“.

 

Manage Encryption Certificates

 

2. In Encryption File System window, click on “Next“.

 

Next Maange

 

3. Now, click on “Use this certificate” and then click on “Next“.

 

Next Use Certificate

 

4. In the next window, you should be seeing Smart Card/Active Key option. Log in, if needed.

5. Click on “Next“. In Update your previously encrypted files window, check “All Logical Drivers” and “update encrypted files“. Click on “Next“.

You should be able to update your certificates without any further issue. Go to the next fix if you are still facing the same problem.

 

Fix-5 Uninstall ePass2003-

If you have ePass2003 (a crypto USB token) in your system, the problem you are facing is may be happening because of this 3rd party software. You can uninstall it and reinstall it just by following these steps-

1. Simply pressing the Windows key+R shall open the Run window. Here, you type “appwiz.cpl” and hit Enter.

 

Appwiz



 

2. In the Program and Features window, under “Uninstall or change a program“, scroll down to find “ePass2003“, double click on it to uninstall it.

3. Now, reboot your computer.

4, After rebooting your computer, download the setup files of Epass2003 by clicking on “ePass 2003 Auto (Windows 32/64 Bit)“.

 

Epass2003

 

5. Now, go to the download location. Double click on the setup file to start the installation process.

 

Epassdownload

 

6. In the ePass2003 Setup window, click on “Browse” to choose the installation directory, and then click on “Next“.

 

Epassinstall

 

7. Now, choose “Microsoft CSP” and then click on “Install“.

 

Microsoft Csp

 

8. Complete the installation process by clicking on “Finish“.

Reboot your computer. After rebooting, your problem should be solved.