Fix Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) errors in Windows 10

 

Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) is a software library that encrypts your passwords, PIN, fingerprint security protection, secures your email and even adds a signature to PDF files - everything that needs to be secured. However, sometimes the CSP error does not provide a secure signature and returns an error message on your computer stating: " The Windows cryptographic service provider reported an error, the key set is not defined, the key does not exist, the key is not valid, the Object not found, invalid signature, the parameter is incorrect, access is denied." This problem usually occurs due to corrupted signature files or incorrect certificate settings. If your device is experiencing the same problem, don't worry.

Besides this issue, users are also complaining about these issues related to cryptographic services-

1. The Windows Cryptographic Service Provider bug in Adobe – The Windows Cryptographic Service does not add a signature to PDF files when opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Windows Cryptographic Service Provider error does not contain the security token: Error 214807xxxx -A specific certificate is causing this problem (the error code may be different in different cases). Consider deleting the certificate from your computer to solve the problem for you.
3. Windows Cryptographic Service Provider reported an error code 0, 1400-  This problem occurs mainly due to a third-party security service provider. " ePassport 2003" is the user's primary concern on most devices.

There are some simple solutions that can fix your problem. But before proceeding with the fixes, try these first few workarounds that can solve your problem with minimal effort.

First Workarounds-

1. Restart your computer. This will restore the computer to its default state, which may resolve the issue.
2. Update your Windows 10 device from Windows settings. If any of the updates are pending, apply the update.
3. Make sure Adobe Reader is updated to the latest version.

If any of these workarounds didn't work for you, go through these fixes that will solve your problem-

Fix-1 Restart cryptographic service-

Restarting the cryptographic services from the Services window may solve the problem for you. To restart cryptographic services, follow these simple steps-

1. First, you need to press " Windows key " and " R " keys at the same time.

2. Here you need to type " services.msc " and then click " OK ".

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

Reboot your computer and after the reboot, check if the certificate issue still persists.

If you are still facing the same problem, try the next solution.

Fix-2 Delete the problematic certificate-

You can delete the problematic certificate that you are having problem with. To do this, you need to open Internet Properties-

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

2. Now click on the " Content " tab and then on " Certificates ".

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

4. If this is not possible, click on the Other People tab .

5. Now click on the problematic certificate and then click on " Remove ".

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

Restart your computer and after restarting, check if you still have the same cryptographic service issue or not.

Fix-3 Delete Adobe Acrobat registry key-

Deleting Adobe Acrobat registration key from your computer may solve your problem. To do this, follow these simple steps-

1. First, you need to press " Windows Key+S ".

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

3. In this Registry Editor window, now in the left pane, expand to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat.0

4. Now right  click on this key and click " Export ". (Note that the 11.0 key may differ depending on the Acrobat version)

5. Now choose a suitable location to export the registry key. Name the key as " backup1 " and click " Save ". If something goes wrong, you can use this backup registry key.

6. Now right click on the 11.0  key and then click on " Delete ".

7. Click Yes to confirm deleting the key.

This will delete the problematic key from your computer.

Reboot your computer and after the reboot check if the cryptographic problem still persists or not.

Fix-4 use smart card or active key-

Some users have solved their problem with the cryptographic services by using a smart card or active key. Follow these simple steps-

1. Click the search box next to the Windows icon, type " encryption " and click " Manage File Encryption Certificates ".

2. In the Encryption File System window , click Next .

3. Now click on " Use this certificate " and then on " Next ".

4. In the next window, you should see Smart Card/Active Key option. Sign in if needed.

5. Click Next . In the Update Previously Encrypted Files window , check All Logical Drivers and Update Encrypted Files . Click Next .

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

Fix-5 Uninstall ePass2003-

If you have ePass2003 (a crypto USB token) in your system, the problem may be due to this third-party software. You can uninstall and reinstall it by just following these steps-

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

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

3. Now restart your computer .

4, After restarting your computer, download the setup files of Epass2003 by clicking " ePass 2003 Auto (Windows 32/64 bit) ".

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

6. In the ePass2003 Setup window, click " Browse " to select the installation directory, and then click " Next ".

7. Now select " Microsoft CSP " and then click " Install ".

8. Complete the installation process by clicking " Finish ".

Start your computer. After restarting, your problem should be resolved.