BitLocker is a function of the Windows operating system. If you are using Bitlocker, then you will encounter many of the same problems. The main and most common one is that Bitlocker keeps asking for a recovery key. The problem where the BitLocker keeps asking for a recovery key has many solutions. Follow us to stop BitLocker keeps asking for the recovery key.

bitlocker keeps asking for recovery key
  1. Part 1: Why Bitlocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key Error Happened?
  2. Part 2: 10 Fixes for Stop Bitlocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key
  3. Bonus Tip: How to Recover Data from BitLocker Encrypted Devices if You Can't Stop BitLocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key?HOT
  4. Part 3: People Also Ask about BitLocker

Part 1: Why Bitlocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key Error Happened?

Why BitLocker keeps asking for a recovery key. What is the reason behind it? Occasionally, Bitlocker allows users to encrypt hard drives. Moreover, some of the encryption algorithms make the configuration possible for fixed data drives and removable data drives. Sometimes, all of a sudden, the BitLocker starts asking for a recovery key, which is caused by the following reasons:

  • When you don't have or forget the PIN
  • Using the incorrect pin several times
  • If you have lost the USB with the actual startup key
  • Boot/BIOS changes, like turning it off, can cause this problem
  • Inserting or removing the CD or DVD
  • Connecting or removing hardware
  • Updating the option ROM firmware and the TPM firmware

Part 2: 10 Fixes for Stop Bitlocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key

There are several solutions and fixes to stop Bitlocker from constantly asking for a recovery key. The following are some of the best fixes and solutions for Bitlocker asking for a recovery key:

Fix 1: Turn OFF BitLocker Encryption

Step 1: Open Bitlocker and enter the recovery key through the Bitlocker recovery screen.

Important: If you are using a Microsoft account, the encryption in Bitlocker starts automatically. So try a different device or computer and go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey and find out the recovery key. The recovery key will look like 597795-347886-541236-789456-456789-124567-543216-894567/Recovery key: 597795-347886-541236-789456-456789-124567-543216-894567

Step 2: After starting the Windows OS, click the Start button > Control Panel > Bitlocker Drive Encryption.

Step 3: Turn off the Suspend Protection option next to C.

disable bitlocker encryption

Step 4: In the next step, a dialogue box window will open up and ask "Do you want to suspend BitLocker protection?" and then press "yes" to confirm.

It will take time to complete the process. Afterward, click on the Resume protection option to update the Bitlocker TPM.

Fix 2: Use Command Prompt to Unlock BitLocker

  • Open the Bitlocker recovery screen, and press the Esc button for more options.
  • Press the skip given in the right corner.
    • use command prompt to unlock bitlocker
  • On the troubleshooting screen, select the advanced option. Afterward, select the advanced option > open Command Prompt.
  • On the Command Prompt, type manage-bde-unlock C: -rp recovery key and then press enter. After that, type manage-bde-protectors-disable C to remove the boot drive's protectors.
  • After the process is complete, close the command and boot up the PC. Then enter the recovery key.

Fix 3: Try a Secure Boot

Step 1: Launch the Bitlocker recovery screen and press Esc for more options. Skip the drive given at the right corner.

Step 2: Then on the next page, select the troubleshooting option. And select advanced options on the next TS screen.

Step 3: Afterward, select "UEFI Firmware Settings" and then restart. The system PC will start up UEFI, then select the security section.

Step 4: Change the configuration given under secure boot. Afterward, press the Microsoft Only option and click OK.

Then exit the file and reboot the device.

Fix 4: Update BIOS to the Latest Version

Some users face the Bitlocker Password Prompt Screen problem. In this case, you might have a problem with BIOS. If you want to update the BIOS system, then check the step-by-step instructions on the motherboard manual of your system.

Fix 5: Turn OFF Secure Boot

If the update of the BIOS failed, then disabling your secure boot feature in the BIOS option is recommended.

  • Launch the Bitlocker recovery screen and press Esc for more options.
  • Skip the drive given at the right corner, then on the next page, select the troubleshooting option.
  • Then on the TS screen, select advanced options. Afterward, select "UEFI Firmware Settings" and then restart.
  • The system PC will start up UEFI, then select the security section.

Fix 6: Try a Legacy Boot

Windows 10 comprises a new graphical boot menu. This graphical boot menu sometimes causes BitLocker key problems. So to solve this, follow the given steps:

Step 1: Type cmd in the search bar of the Windows taskbar. Right-click to launch Command Prompt as an administrator.

run cmd

Step 3: Type "bcdedit /set default bootmenupolicy legacy" in the command task and press enter.

Fix 7: Disable Auto-Unlock Option

The auto-unlock option in Windows 10 is enabled every time. This can cause the BitLocker to keep asking for a recovery key. So this is how you can turn it off.

Step 1: Go to the Start button, then to the control panel > Bitlocker drive encryption.

Step 2: Then click on the "turn off auto-unlock" option given next to the C drive.

Step 3: Afterward, reboot or restart your PC and see if the issue is solved or not.

Fix 8: Update Windows OS to the Latest one

Open Start and type Update in the search and then click on the "Check for Updates". If there is an update available, then click on the download or download and install button. Afterward, the Windows OS will start updating.

Fix 9: Reinstall the Problematic Update

Step 1: To begin, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows logo key or the start button. Then click on updates and security.

Step 2: Click on "install updates." and find out the problematic update and double-click it to uninstall it. Then reboot your computers.

Step 3: Afterward, you need to temporarily suspend the BitLocker in the control panel.

Step 4: Then reinstall the update. You can go to the update settings to check for any missing updates.

Now enable the BitLocker again in the C panel.

Fix 10: Remove Unnecessary External Devices

Sometimes the newly installed hardware creates problems for Bitlocker. Before booting the device, make sure to not connect any unnecessary hardware to the computer.

Bonus Tip: How to Recover Data from BitLocker Encrypted Devices if You Can't Stop BitLocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key?

Well, you never know if the problem of Bitlocker keeps asking for a recovery key is going to be resolved or not. But here is the pro tip: if the solution didn't work, the best way to recover all your data from the Bitlocker is to use Tenorshare 4DDiG data recovery software. So, before repairing the problematic device, always make sure to backup your BitLocker drive data because no one can guarantee that you won't lose or the file won't be corrupted during the process. If unfortunately, you lose data due to this BitLocker error, just free try Tenorshare 4DDiG to get them back.

Tenorshare 4DDiG key features:

  • Support data recover from over 1000+ different file types, including JPG/JPEG, TIFF/TIF, PNG, BMP, GIF, PSD, CRW, etc.
  • Allow user recover data from various scenarios, such as accidental deletion, formatted, virus attack, system crash, and so on
  • Support data recovery from internal PC, USB, SD Card, external hard drives, and so on
  • Support data recovery from Bitlocker encrypted drives
Video guide on how to recover data from Bitlocker encrypted drive:

Follow below steps to recover data from Bitlocker encrypted drives:

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  1. Install Tenorshare 4DDiG on your Windows, after launching it, you will be presented with some options. Then click on your Bitlocker encrypted drive to start the data recovery process.
    2. select bitlocker encrypted drives
  2. After the scanning process finish, you will see the scanned out files listing on the interface, you can preview both of them.
    3. scan the bitlocker encrypted drives
  3. Now just select the files that you want to recover from the bitlocker encrypted drive and click on "Recover". After choose the location to store the recover data, the whole data recovery process is done.
    4. recover lost data from bitlocker

Part 3: People Also Ask about BitLocker

Encryption of BitLocker Drives: What is it?

In addition, Bitlocker drives encryption, which allows all users to encrypt hard drives to keep all the system data secure. The encryption is actually an algorithm that makes it possible to configure the group policy setting to remove data drives and operating system drives.

What is the BitLocker Recovery Key?

It is a 48-digit numerical password key that is used to unlock your encrypted BitLocker.They ask for a key when the user triggers the BitLocker. The key is automatically generated during the BitLocker installation.

How to Find my BitLocker Key?

There are diverse places where you can find your BitLocker key. It depends on the choice made during the activation of the BitLocker. It could be in your Microsoft profile, a USB flash drive, the.txt file, etc.

Conclusion

A Bitlocker asking for a recovery key is a pain in the head. There is a 99% chance that the issue will be solved with these solutions. But before doing anything, just for sure to make a backup from the bitlocker encrypted drive since you could lose the data while trying the solution. To recover data from BitLocker encrypted drives, we recommend you using Tenorshare 4DDiG data recovery software.

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