Smartcard reader setup

NHS England supports only one reader driver manufacturer, HID Global. This is because there are many types of smartcard reader used in the NHS that may not comply with the latest standards.

When connected to a machine, most smartcard readers are automatically assigned a generic driver labelled 'Microsoft USB CCID Smartcard Reader (WUDF)'. This is not the correct driver to use for standalone smartcard readers, as it can cause issues such as failed smartcard self-certificate renewals, so it's vital to install the manufacturer's drivers.

The supported HID Global smartcard readers are:

• HID Omnikey 3121
• HID Omnikey 5321CR (Contactless)

Find information about NHS-supported printer smartcard readers.

You can also order HID Omnikey 3121 readers from NHS England.

Important notes:

• The HID Omnikey X-Chip MSI contains 2 (optional) driver components and can be toggled during the installation process depending on the reader being used. The BU component supports the 3121 readers which share the hardware ID VID_076B&PID_3021, and the RU component supports the 5321CR reader.
• It is not recommended to use an Omnikey 5321CR Contactless reader on a Registration Authority workstation that has a Magicard DoH (V2) printer connected to it.

Read how to identify smartcard readers that need a driver update.

Organisations can deploy estate-wide smartcard reader driver updates, so that the latest manufacturer drivers are automatically assigned to new and existing standalone smartcard readers. This could be a single driver, but it's likely that a variety of smartcard readers are being used estate-wide so a combination of drivers would be required. We recommend you use the bare driver files, accompanied with an .inf file, to perform estate-wide network deployments.

Organisations unsure which variants of the 3121 readers are in use can install both the CCID and X-Chip (BU component only) drivers to ensure all variants have the manufacturer driver automatically assigned.

The RU component of the HID Global X-Chip driver, which supports the Omnikey 5321CR contactless reader, should be excluded from estate-wide driver updates because it can affect printer readers issuing series 9 smartcards. Users of the 5321CR standalone reader should have the driver installed on their machine only if it's not used for smartcard printing.

Some organisations also use other standalone smartcard readers, such as Dell keyboard readers, as well as NHS-supported smartcard readers.

Device drivers are commonly available from the manufacturer's website by entering the product name or model number, or from the Microsoft Update catalog by entering the device hardware ID. Find out how to locate the driver via the hardware ID and update the driver.