Resolving EAP-TLS Authentication Failures on Windows Machines with ISE
While attempting EAP-TLS authentication through Cisco ISE, an error was encountered indicating authentication failure. This issue has impeded our ability to implement a network access solution dependent on Cisco ISE. In this article, we will explore effective methods to address the problem of Windows machines not completing EAP-TLS authentication with ISE.
Event 5400: Authentication failure.
Troubleshooting EAP-TLS Authentication Failures on Windows 11
In cases where Windows systems are unable to finalize EAP-TLS authentication with ISE and display the Event 5400 error, consider implementing the following solutions:
- Remove retry entries.
- Adjust your certificate validation settings.
- Reach out to Microsoft Support.
Let’s delve deeper into each solution.
Resolving the Event 5400 Authentication Failure
1] Remove Registry Entries
This issue typically arises when Group Policy does not appropriately select Root and Intermediate certificates. To rectify this, you’ll need to delete several registry keys. Before proceeding, ensure you back up your registry information. Next, launch Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the following commands:
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost"/f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"/f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate"/f
Note: You may receive messages indicating, “ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.“which can be disregarded.
Once you complete this step, restart your computer and select the appropriate root and intermediate certificates.
2] Modify Certificate Validation Settings
Previous Windows versions, like Windows 10, had different validation logics for server certificates based on various EAP methods. With Windows 11, Microsoft has unified this logic to align with the WPA3-Enterprise specification, ensuring a consistent and reliable experience. If you’re facing challenges with EAP-TLS and TLS 1.3, ensure that your RADIUS server is updated and patched, or consider disabling TLS 1.3 on the server side. Furthermore, confirm that the root and intermediate certificates utilized by the ISE server are recognized as trustworthy by the Windows 11 client.
3] Reach Out to Microsoft Support
If none of the previous solutions prove effective, it may be helpful to contact Microsoft Support. Visit support.microsoft.com, sign in to your account, and submit a ticket outlining your issue to receive assistance.
With any luck, the solutions outlined in this article can help you resolve the authentication issue.
How to Enable EAP TLS Session Resume for ISE?
To activate TLS Session Resume for EAP-TLS, navigate to Administration > System > Settings > Protocol > EAP-TLS. Check the box labeled Enable EAP TLS Session Resume and input the necessary values in the EAP TLS Session Timeout field.
What is EAP in Cisco ISE?
Within the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) facilitates secure authentication for devices attempting to connect to the network. EAP is an adaptable framework that allows various authentication methods, offering flexibility in device and user verification processes.
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