Solved: Windows Cannot Verify the Digital Signature (Error code 52)

Encountering the “Windows cannot verify the digital signature” Error Code 52. This error prevents you from installing drivers or using certain hardware. This error typically occurs when Windows identifies a problem with the digital signature of a driver or file, which can lead to the device or software being blocked. Digital signatures are used by Windows to ensure that drivers and software are authentic and have not been tampered with. If a driver lacks a valid digital signature, or if the signature is corrupted or altered, Windows will block the installation. The error Code 52  indicates the operating system is unable to verify the digital signature of a driver or software. Understanding the reasons behind this error and knowing how to resolve it can help you get your system back on track.

What is Windows Digital Signatures

As Microsoft explains their support document, Digital signature is Implemented to verify the identity of the software publisher or the hardware (driver) vendor to protect your system from being infected with malware rootkits. This means that all drivers and programs must be digitally signed (verified) in order to be installed and run on the latest Windows Operating Systems.

There are Several factors can cause Error Code 52, including:

1. Unsigned Drivers: Some older or less common drivers may not have a digital signature, which can trigger this error.
2. Corrupted or Altered Signatures: If a driver’s digital signature has been corrupted or altered, perhaps due to malware or a faulty download, Windows will reject it.
3. Incompatible Drivers: Installing drivers that are not fully compatible with your version of Windows can result in this error.
4. System File Corruption: Corrupted system files can interfere with Windows’ ability to verify digital signatures.
5. Security Settings: Strict security settings may block drivers that Windows views as a potential threat, even if they are safe to use.

Reinstall or Update the Driver

If you are getting this error with a specific device/driver, Reinstalling or updating the driver can resolve any issues related to corrupted or outdated files, potentially fixing the digital signature problem.

• Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
• Find the device with the error, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device.
• After uninstalling, restart your computer. Windows should automatically attempt to reinstall the driver.
• If the problem persists, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver manually.

Updating the driver ensures that you have the most recent version, which is more likely to be digitally signed and compatible with your system.

Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

Temporarily disabling driver signature enforcement allows you to install or use unsigned drivers, which can bypass the Error Code 52 message.

• Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to Update & Security > Recovery.
• Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
• After your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• Once your PC restarts again, press 7 or F7 to select Disable driver signature enforcement.
• Try installing the driver or using the device again.

This method is useful for installing older or specialized drivers that may not be signed but are safe to use.

• That’s all, you have successfully disabled driver signature enforcement, let’s try to update the drivers from the Device Manager.
• Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and ok to open device manager.
• Find the problematic device. You will recognize it by the yellow exclamation mark next to its name.
• Right-click the device and choose Update Driver Software. Follow the wizard until the driver is installed, and reboot your device if necessary.
• Repeat this process for every device you see an exclamation mark next to.

Disable Integrity Checks

Here is another method suggested on Microsoft forum, Users report an issue appears when Windows tries to verify the digital signature and integrity of a device Disable this option Checks help them to resolve the issue. To do this.

Type cmd on the start menu search right click on the command prompt select run as administrator.

Then perform the command below.

• bcdedit -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
• bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

If this didn’t work then try the following command

• cdedit /deletevalue loadoptions
• bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF

Reboot your PC to take effect the changes. Did this helps to “fix USB error code 52, Windows Cannot Verify the Digital Signature“.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Running SFC and DISM scans can repair corrupted system files that might be causing the digital signature verification issue.

• Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
• Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter
• Wait for the scan to complete. If it finds and fixes any issues, restart your computer.
• If the problem persists, run the DISM command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These commands repair system files and restore the integrity of your operating system, potentially resolving Error Code 52. After the scan completes, restart your computer and try install the driver again.

Check for Malware

Malware can corrupt or alter driver signatures, leading to Error Code 52. Scanning your system ensures that no malicious software is interfering with your drivers.

• Open Windows Security by pressing Win + I and selecting Update & Security > Windows Security.
• Run a full virus scan under Virus & Threat Protection.
• Remove any detected threats, restart your computer, and check if the error persists.

A clean system free from malware helps ensure that your drivers and their digital signatures remain intact.