How to Troubleshoot EES Login Issues

Access to the U.S. Army Evaluation Entry System is essential when preparing, reviewing, routing, or tracking NCOERs and OERs. A failed sign-in can delay an evaluation workflow, especially when a rating chain is working against a suspense date.

Login problems may come from several sources: a CAC reader, certificates, browser settings, network access, account permissions, or scheduled system maintenance. Identifying the likely cause before taking action can save time and prevent repeated unsuccessful attempts.

The EES Army resource provides general information about evaluation administration and related Army personnel systems. It is an informational site, rather than an official government support portal, so official help channels remain the appropriate source for account-specific assistance.

Check The Basic Access Requirements

Start by confirming that the computer recognizes the Common Access Card. The card should be inserted fully into the reader, and the reader should appear normally in the computer’s device settings. If the card is not detected, try reconnecting the reader or using another approved workstation.

A valid CAC certificate is also necessary. When prompted to select a certificate, choose the authentication certificate rather than an email-signing certificate. If several certificates appear, selecting the wrong one may cause the page to reload, display an access error, or return to the login screen.

The card itself should be current and usable. An expired card, locked PIN, damaged chip, or recently replaced credential can prevent authentication even when the EES website is operating normally.

Review Browser And Certificate Settings

Browser compatibility frequently affects Army enterprise websites. Use an approved, updated browser and close extra tabs before starting a new session. Clearing cached files and cookies for the affected site can resolve redirect loops or outdated login data.

Pop-up blocking, strict tracking protection, and disabled JavaScript may interfere with certificate-based authentication. Temporarily review those settings according to your organization’s security policy, then restart the browser and try again.

If the system repeatedly asks for a certificate, remove the card, close every browser window, reinsert the CAC, and open a fresh session. Avoid saving credentials or bypassing security warnings. A warning about an invalid certificate should be reported through the appropriate local support channel rather than ignored.

Determine Whether EES Is Unavailable

Not every login failure is caused by the user’s equipment. Planned maintenance, network outages, or an unplanned service interruption can make the evaluation portal inaccessible. Check official Army communications, local help-desk notices, and the maintenance schedule for useful timing information.

Common signs of a service-side problem include a blank page for multiple users, a timeout after successful certificate selection, or an error that appears on different approved computers. If colleagues in the same organization are experiencing the same issue, avoid changing local settings repeatedly.

Record the time of the failure, the exact error message, the browser used, and whether other Army sites work. This information helps technical support determine whether the problem involves EES, the enterprise network, or the workstation.

Match The Error To The Likely Cause

The message displayed during sign-in can provide a useful starting point. The following guide is a practical screening tool, not a substitute for official technical support.

Symptom	Likely cause	First action
No certificate appears	CAC reader, middleware, or card detection issue	Reconnect the reader and verify the card is recognized
Certificate is rejected	Wrong certificate, expired credential, or certificate problem	Select the authentication certificate and check card status
Page keeps redirecting	Cached session, browser setting, or interrupted authentication	Close the browser, clear site data, and start a new session
Access denied after login	Role, organization, or account permission issue	Contact the appropriate EES or personnel administrator
Timeout or blank page	Network interruption or system outage	Test the approved network and check service notices
Login works elsewhere but not locally	Workstation configuration problem	Use another approved computer and contact local IT

A successful login does not always mean full access to every evaluation function. Users may authenticate correctly but lack the role needed to create, edit, sign, view, or route a particular form. In that situation, repeatedly attempting to log in will not correct the permission issue.

Verify Roles And Personnel Data

EES access is connected to Army identity and personnel information. A recent permanent change of station, change in duty position, reassignment, promotion, or update to the rating chain may create a temporary mismatch between the user’s identity and available permissions.

If the portal opens but an evaluation is missing, first verify that the correct user role and rating relationship are being used. A rater, senior rater, reviewer, and rated Soldier may see different actions within the same evaluation record.

Personnel-file information can also help identify whether an administrative update has posted correctly. Guidance on accessing your personnel file may be useful when checking related records, although it will not replace an official correction request.

Use A Controlled Troubleshooting Sequence

Changing several settings at once makes it difficult to identify the cause. Work through a short sequence and document the result after each step:

1. Confirm the CAC is inserted and recognized.
2. Restart the browser and select the correct authentication certificate.
3. Try an approved browser or workstation.
4. Test the connection on the authorized Army network.
5. Check for maintenance or a broader service interruption.
6. Contact local IT or the designated EES administrator with the recorded error details.

Do not email screenshots containing personally identifiable information, evaluation content, or certificate details unless an approved support process specifically requires them. Use secure Army channels and follow your unit’s information-security procedures.

If a suspense date is approaching, notify the rating chain or administrative support team promptly. A documented access problem may help leaders coordinate an alternate approved process or request assistance before the evaluation is delayed.

Protect Your Evaluation Timeline

Login troubleshooting should end with a clear record of what happened and what support channel was used. Keep the error wording, date, time, workstation, and ticket number where applicable. This creates a reliable history if the issue returns or affects multiple members of the rating chain.

Use the official Army help-desk or personnel-support process for account recovery, access permissions, certificate problems, and corrections to evaluation data. Once access is restored, verify that the correct forms, roles, routing status, and suspense dates appear before continuing work.

Take the next practical step now: test the CAC and browser, document any error, check for service availability, and escalate unresolved access problems through your unit’s authorized support channel.