DigiDoc4 Client Error Message: The PCSC service, required for using the ID-card, is not working

The PCSC service required to use the ID-card is started on the computer automatically when the smart reader is connected.
If DigiDoc4 Client gives you the error message ‘The PCSC service, required for using the ID-card, is not working’, even after connecting the smart card reader, then you will have to start the service manually. Instructions are dependant on the operating system you are using.

Windows 10 and 11

  1. First, open the Start Menu and type services.msc into the search bar.
  2. Find Smart Card from the window that opens (Services).
  1. Make sure that the following settings are correct:
    1. the service  Status  is "Started" or "Running"
    2. the service Startup Type is "Automatic"

If not, double-click on Smart Card and insert the appropriate changes.

For Windows, the correctly configured Smart Card service window looks like this:

NB! If you are using ID-software over a remote desktop solution, you should make sure that the Smart Card service is working on the computer you are using to transfer the screen to the other computer!

  • If there is no “Smart Card” option among the services

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    Using System File Checker in Windows (for Windows 10/11):

    System File Checker is a Windows utility that checks for problems with files on your computer. To run it, do the following:

    1. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Windows and restart your computer. For more information, see Update Window
    2. Type command prompt in the taskbar search field and right-click or long-press Command Prompt (Desktop app) from the list of results. Select Run as administrator, and then select Yes.
    3. Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth (note the space before each "/") and then press Enter. (Note: This process may take a few minutes to start and complete.)
    4. When the message "The operation completed successfully" appears, type sfc /scannow (with a space between "sfc" and "/") and press Enter.
    5. When you see the message "Verification 100% complete", type exit and press Enter.

    If using the system file checker doesn't work, please re-register some dll files:

    We can use the "regsvr32" command to re-register the following dll files. Click Start and type the following in the search bar (one at a time).

    For example, regsvr32 scarddlg.dll
    
    regsvr32 scarddlg.dll
    regsvr32 sccbase.dll 
    regsvr32 sccsccp.dll
    regsvr32 scredir.dll
    regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
    regsvr32 slbiop.dll
    regsvr32 slbrccsp.dll

    If the above steps do not work well for your problem, continue with the following instructions:

    1. Close all open windows.
    2. Click Start, click "All programs," and click "Accessories."
    3. Right-click "Command Prompt" and click "Run as administrator".
    4. In the "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type "chkdsk /r" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
    5. Type Y and hit Enter again.
    6. Restart your computer.
    Hide

Linux

For Linux, first try to reconnect the card reader to the computer. If the error prevails, act as follows:

  1. Start the terminal.
  2. Insert the terminal command:
  3. You are asked to insert the administrator password. Do not be alarmed; while inserting the password, the mouse cursor does not move and the password screen is not shown! If you are sure you have entered the password correctly, press ENTER.
  4. Insert:
    systemctl enable pcscd.socket
    sudo systemctl start pcscd.socket

If starting the SmartCard service is successful, reopen the DigiDoc4 Client and check whether the data from the ID-card is now being read correctly. If everything is functional, ID-card use should once again be enabled.