What you’re seeing
- Adobe Acrobat or Reader shows an error when applying a digital signature with a CAC.
- The error mentions SCARD_W_RESET_CARD or code 0x80100068.
- The card works for sign-in and websites, and reader diagnostics pass.
- Signing succeeds sometimes and fails at other times on the same document.
Common causes
Every environment is different, but these are the causes our engineers find most often:
- Another program, such as smart card middleware, a card monitoring utility or a browser, resets the card session while Adobe is using it.
- Two smart card middleware packages are installed and compete for control of the card.
- Adobe is set to use a separate PKCS#11 module while Windows uses its own smart card driver, and the two interfere with each other.
- The card reader's driver or power management resets the card after a short idle period.
- Older Acrobat builds handle smart card sessions less reliably with some middleware versions.
Why it matters
Digitally signed PDFs are how many contractors and agencies approve timesheets, contracts, travel forms and official correspondence. When signing fails, approvals stall, deadlines slip and people resort to wet signatures and scanning, which may not satisfy the requirements of the agency or prime contractor. Intermittent failures are especially costly because staff waste time retrying and can't predict when signing will work.
How AskTechGurus fixes it
Skip the trial and error. A certified engineer works on your actual system, finds the root cause, and fixes it properly.
Tell us what’s happening
Submit a ticket in about two minutes. Paste the error, describe what changed, and pick your tier. No charge to submit.
A certified engineer diagnoses it
A vetted, US-based systems engineer claims your ticket, usually within minutes during business hours, and investigates over a secure remote session you can watch and end at any time.
Fixed and verified with you
The engineer resolves the root cause and confirms with you that it’s working. You don’t just get a workaround, and you get a plain-English summary of what was wrong.
Pay only when it’s resolved
Fixed price from $99, invoiced only after you approve the fix. If it isn’t resolved, you don’t pay.
Frequently asked questions
Are documents we already signed still valid?
Yes. This error only affects new signing attempts; signatures applied successfully in the past aren't changed by it.
Can this be fixed remotely if the card is in my reader?
Yes. The engineer works on the software and middleware on your computer while you keep the card inserted, and you enter your own PIN when testing.