How to Fix Bitlocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key on Win11/10

BitLocker is a Windows feature that provides encryption and security for your hard drive. It prevents your information from being accessed by unauthorized persons. However, sometimes you meet the “Bitlocker keeps asking for recovery key” when booting Windows 11/10. This issue has been found in PCs with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 3 (TBT) ports.

Why Does Bitlocker Keep Asking for Recovery Key

Why does Bitlocker keep asking for recovery key? The following are some possible reasons:

• Malware attack
• Input the wrong PIN or forget the PIN
• Boot/BIOS changes
• Update both the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and ROM firmware
• Connect or remove hardware
• A problematical update was installed
• Bitlocker is configured on your PC
• …

tpm-device-not-detected

How to Fix Bitlocker Keep Asking for Recovery Key

Then, we will introduce 10 fixes for you to get rid of the “Bitlocker keeps asking for recovery key” issue. Keep on your reading.

Fix 1: Turn off BitLocker Encryption Temporarily

First, you can try to turn off BitLocker encryption temporarily to fix the “Bitlocker keeps asking for recovery key” issue. Here is how to do that:

Step 1: Type Control Panel in the Search box to open it.

Step 2: Click BitLocker Drive Encryption. Click Turn off BitLocker next to the C drive.

Step 3: Then, you will receive the following message and you need to click Turn off BitLocker again. Then, it will start to decrypt the drive.

Fix 2: Use Command Prompt to Unlock Bitlocker

Then, you can try to use Command Prompt to unblock BitLocker. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Open BitLocker and press the Esc key for More options. Select Skip this drive at the right corner.

Step 2: Then, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 3: Enter manage-bde-unlock C: -rp recovery key and press Enter.

Step 4: Then, enter manage-bde-protectors-disable C and press Enter.

Step 5: Close the command prompt and restart your computer. Then, enter the recovery key.

Fix 3: Disable Auto-Unlock Option

Step 1: Type Control Panel in the Search box to open it.

Step 2: Click BitLocker Drive Encryption. Then click the turn off auto-unlock option next to the C drive.

Step 3: Then, restart your PC to see if the issue has been fixed.

Fix 4: Disable Secure Boot

Step 1: Open BitLocker and press the Esc key for More options. Select Skip this drive at the right corner.

Step 2: Then, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 3: Now, select UEFI Firmware Settings and click Security.

Step 4: Under Secure Boot, select Change Configuration. Choose Microsoft Only and click OK.

Step 5: At last, click Exit and restart your PC.

Fix 5: Use Legacy Boot

Step 1: Type cmd in the Search box and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy and press the Enter key.

Fix 6: Update Your BIOS

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys together to open the Run box. Type msinfo32.

Step 2: Check the values of Baseboard products and Baseboard Manufacturers.

Step 3: Go to the manufacturer’s website and click Download and Install the BIOS Update.

Fix 7: Uninstall the Problematic Update

Step 1: Type control panel in the search box and open it.

Step 2: Navigate to Programs and Features.

Step 3: Then click View installed updates on the left panel.

Step 4: Locate the Windows update version that causes the error and you should click Uninstall.

Windows Update Reset (Fix It) Tool Download/Use (32/64 Bits)

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Fix 8: Uninstall the Newly Installed Hardware

If you installed new hardware, it might cause problems with BitLocker. Thus, you need to make sure that no unnecessary external devices are connected to your computer at startup.

Fix 9: Update Windows to the Latest Version

If the above fixes are not working, updating your Windows to the latest version may be helpful to get rid of the “Bitlocker keeps asking for recovery key” error. You can go to Settings > Updates & Security > click Check for updates to detect if there are some new updates available. If there are, you can download and install them.

Final Words

Why does Bitlocker keep asking for recovery key? How to fix the “why does Bitlocker keep asking for recovery key” issue? The above content includes reasons and 9 solutions. You can try them one by one until fixing the issue.