Windows 10: BitLocker prompt after Windows 10 update

After an automatic Windows update (installed Oct 1 2019) my system is prompting for the BitLocker recovery key. This has never happened before. I was able locate the BitLocker information that I had saved but the recovery key ID does not match what is displayed on the screen, so the key does not work and I am unable to decrypt my drive. The computer is a Lenovo Yoga 11e laptop with an SSD drive. Since I log in with a local account, there is no BitLocker information in my Microsoft account. It appears that I'm going to have to reformat my drive and reinstall Windows.


Has anyone else had this issue with the latest update?

:)

 

Need to turn off Bitlocker to install Windows 10

Hi,

We suggest doing the following steps again to resolve the issue. To complete the procedure, make sure that you have the following information:

• You must be able to provide administrative credentials.
• The drive must be BitLocker-protected.

To suspend BitLocker Drive Encryption on an operating system drive, please follow the steps below:

• Click Start, click Control Panel, click
  System and Security, and then click BitLocker Drive Encryption.
• Click Suspend Protection for the operating system drive.
• A message is displayed, informing you that your data will not be protected while BitLocker is suspended and asking if you want to suspend BitLocker Drive Encryption.
  
• Click Yes to continue and suspend BitLocker on the drive.

Let us know how it goes.

 

BitLocker on Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for the response and keeping the status updated.

This could be due to some corruption in the system files, please check the methods below and see if it helps:

Method 1:

I suggest you to start the BitLocker Device Encryption service.

Follow the below steps:

• Press Windows key + R from the Keyboard.
• Type services.msc and hit Enter.
• Search for BitLocker Device Encryption service.
• Double click on BitLocker Device Encryption service and click on
  Start button.
• Click on the dropdown list and set the Startup type to
  Automatic.

Method 2: Please try the steps provided in the given article.

Unlock a BitLocker-protected drive

If the issue persists, follow method 2.

Method 3: Perform SFC scan

I would suggest you to perform SFC scan and check if that helps. The
sfc/scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions. It is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore
corrupted files.

Refer the link: Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted
system files

Note: Link applies to Windows 10 as well.

More information:
BitLocker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let us know the status of the issue. We will be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Prompt for BitLocker key

Hi Timothy,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft community forums.

I understand that it can be difficult when your own computer is inaccessible due to some changes that could have happened. However, let's try a few troubleshooting steps and see if we can access the drive.

• Are you aware of any changes that happened on the computer prior to this issue?
  
• Did you setup a BitLocker on your device before?
  

If you’ve not setup the BitLocker and it’s still prompting for the key,
you may try to locate the BitLocker key on your Microsoft account, which will help you access the drive. Refer
Find my BitLocker recovery key to
know how to find the BitLocker recovery key.

If no recovery key is found, you may enable the secure boot setting from BIOS and check if you can access the drive.

• Power off the device and then power it on.
  
• Look for a message on the boot screen just before or after the manufacturer logo appears. You may need to press the
  ‘F1’,’F2’, or
  ‘Delete’button, whatever key is indicated on the boot screen to enter BIOS Settings.
  
• Within BIOS, choose the tab ‘BOOT’.
  

Note: Depending on the BIOS manufacturer this page could be
BOOT, ADVANCED, STARTUP etc.

• Look for a setting called
  ‘UEFI Secure Boot’ and toggle the Secure Boot setting to
  ‘Enabled’.
  

Note: Each BIOS could have a different name for
UEFI Secure Boot. These are the keywords to look for:
‘UEFI’, ‘Secure Boot’,‘Legacy Boot’.

• Restart the machine now to see if you can access the drive.
  

Note:

Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting
from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

Regards,