Top 11 Most Common DSC Errors and their Solutions

Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) have become an essential part of India's e-governance ecosystem. Whether it's filing income tax returns, submitting GST forms, or completing MCA filings, DSCs provide a secure and legally valid way to authenticate documents online.

However, even experienced users often face errors while using Digital Signature Certificates. These errors can cause frustration and delay critical filings. Understanding the most common DSC errors and knowing how to fix them can save time, avoid penalties, and ensure smooth online transactions.

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Common DSC Errors and How to Fix Them

1. DSC Error: Please Plug DSC

What happens:

- Portal keeps asking to plug the DSC even though the USB token is already inserted.

Cause:

a. Token service is not running or browser cannot access USB device.

Fixes:

a. Run DSC Utility as Admin -> ensure Service Running

b. Use Chrome / Edge only -> no Incognito mode

c. Install correct USB token driver -> restart

d. Check certificate presence: certmgr.msc -> Personal -> Certificates

e. Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily (port blocking issue)

f. Keep only one DSC utility installed (remove others)

g. Insert DSC token BEFORE clicking Sign

2. GST DSC Error IP Address

What happens:

- GST portal blocks DSC signing and shows an IP-related error.

Cause:

a. GST portal allows DSC signing only from the registered IP address.

Fixes:

a. Logout GST portal. login again

b. Check system date & time

c. Use the same network for signing used during IP registration

d. Do not use VPN or mobile hotspot while signing

3. DSC Certificate Validation Failed – Income Tax Portal

What happens:

- DSC appears but fails during validation on submission.

Cause:

a. DSC is expired, renewed but not re-registered, or PAN mismatch.

Fixes:

a. Check DSC validity in token utility

b. Remove old DSC registration from portal

c. Re-register active DSC only on Income Tax portal

d, Ensure PAN in DSC matches PAN of portal user

e. Confirm certificate class: Class 3 DSC

f. Remove old/expired DSC from portal -> re-register fresh DSC

g. Clear browser cache

4. GST DSC Error Code HTTP

What happens:

- Signing fails with an HTTP error message during submission.

Cause:

a. GST signing service is blocked by browser or system security.

Fixes:

a. Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily

b. Allow localhost (127.0.0.1) in firewall

c. Use Chrome in normal mode (no incognito)

d. Retry signing

5. DSC Error in GST Portal

What happens:

- The portal shows a general DSC error in GST Portal without a specific message.

Cause:
a. GST signer utility is outdated or blocked.

Fixes:

a. Download and reinstall latest GST Signer Utility

b. Run signer utility as Administrator

c. Keep signer running in background while signing

d. Use Chrome or Edge only → no Incognito / Private window

e. Turn OFF VPN / Proxy → avoid office networks

f. Insert DSC token before clicking “Sign”

g. Check token driver installed properly

h. Ensure PAN in DSC matches GST Authorized Signatory PAN

i. Remove old DSC from GST → register DSC again

j. System date & time set to Auto

k. Restart system if error persists

6. “Digital Signature Certificate Missing – Please Plug-in Token”

What happens:

- The portal does not open DSC selection window at all. Instead, it says: Sorry digital signature certificate missing please plugin the token & click on process with signing

Cause:

a. Signer utility or Java service is not responding.

Fixes:

a. Open Task Manager → End Java / signer processes

b. Restart signer utility

c. Reopen browser and portal

d. Insert token again, then sign

7. DSC Not Working in Income Tax Portal

What happens:

- DSC works elsewhere but not on Income Tax portal.

Cause:

a. Income Tax portal requires fresh DSC registration after renewal.

Fixes:

a. Delete existing DSC mapping

b. Register DSC again using correct PAN & provider

c. Log out and log in again before filing

8. DSC Not Working in Chrome

What happens:

- Chrome does not detect DSC while signing.

Cause:

a. Chrome blocks native signer service.

Fixes:

a. Install portal-specific signer (GST / IT signer)

b. Allow Chrome pop-ups & downloads

c. Keep signer running before clicking “Sign”

9. Error: Invalid DSC Signature

What happens:

- Submission fails after signing with “Invalid Signature”.

Cause:

a. Wrong DSC used (class, PAN, or role mismatch).

Fixes:

a. Use same PAN DSC as portal user

b. Remove other DSCs from system

c. Sign again with correct certificate

10. https://127.0.0.1:1585 Error

What happens:

- Browser shows localhost connection error during DSC signing.

Cause:

a. Signer service is not running or blocked on port 1585.

Fixes:

a. Start GST/IT signer utility

b. Disable antivirus HTTPS scanning / allow port 1585

c. Port 1585 already in use → uninstall other DSC utilities, reboot

d. Restart system and signer

e. Retry signing

11. DSC Failed / DSC Rejected

What happens:

- When signing on GST, Income Tax, or MCA portal, the DSC either fails to submit (“DSC Failed”) or is rejected (“DSC Rejected”).

- You may see an error like “Invalid signature” or the submission just doesn't go through.

- Sometimes the portal opens the certificate selection window but does not process the signing.

Cause:

a. Wrong certificate for portal user (PAN mismatch, Class 2 vs Class 3)

b. Expired or revoked DSC

c. Multiple DSCs installed causing conflicts

d. Token driver or signer utility outdated

Fixes:

a. DSC not mapped to user/role: register DSC for the correct PAN & role on the portal

b. Using wrong certificate type: select Signing certificate, not Encryption

c. Expired / revoked DSC: renew or reissue DSC

d. Multiple certificates in token: manually choose the correct DSC during signing

e. DSC class not accepted: use Class 3 / equivalent as required by the portal

f. Recently renewed DSC: remove old DSC from portal and re-register new one

12. DSC Not Detected After Renewal

What happens:

- Portal does not detect your DSC even after renewal.

Cause:

a. Old DSC registration still active or token cache not updated.

Fixes:

a. Remove old DSC registration from portal

b. Restart system and reinsert token

c. Re-register renewed DSC on the portal

13. Java Security Warning / Applet Blocked

What happens:

- Portal shows a “Java blocked” or “Security Warning” message when signing.

Cause:

a. Java security settings prevent DSC applet from running.

Fixes:

a. Open Java Control Panel → Security → Exception Site List

b. Add the portal URL (GST/Income Tax/MCA) to the list

c. Restart browser and try signing again

14. DSC Working on One Portal But Not Another

What happens:

- DSC works on GST portal but fails on Income Tax or MCA portal.

Cause:

a. Each portal requires separate registration, correct certificate class, or browser compatibility.

Fixes:

a. Register DSC separately on each portal

b. Verify certificate class (Class 2 vs Class 3)

c. Use recommended browsers for each portal (Chrome, IE, Edge)

15. DSC Token Not Responding / Frozen

What happens:[/B]

- Token LED is blinking but portal shows no certificate.

Cause:

a. Driver conflict or USB port issue.

Fixes:

a. Try a different USB port

b. Reinstall token driver

c. Test DSC token on another computer to check hardware

Final Words

Digital Signature Certificates are essential for secure and legally valid, but DSC errors can happen, to experienced as well as new users. This guide covers all the common DSC errors you might encounter and shows exactly how to fix them. Read and keep your DSC work error-free.

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