Windows 10: Cannot access external SSD, Bitlocker freezes, CMD reports both locked and unlocked status!

Hi I have an external SSD that I use for college, I use Bitlocker to protect the files, I have attempted to access the drive as normal and entered my password but nothing happens, the log-in window just freezes.


I attempted to use command prompt to check the status of the drive and then tried to remove Bitlocker as below;


***STATUS CHECK***


C:\>manage-bde -status L:

BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool version 10.0.18362

Copyright C 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.



Volume L: [Label Unknown]

[Data Volume]



Size: Unknown GB

BitLocker Version: 2.0

Conversion Status: Unknown

Percentage Encrypted: Unknown%

Encryption Method: AES 128

Protection Status: Unknown

Lock Status: Locked

Identification Field: Unknown

Automatic Unlock: Disabled

Key Protectors:

Password

Numerical Password


********


C:\>manage-bde -unlock F: -RecoveryPassword 672496-384384-588995-576477-697939-642565-033187-644699

BitLocker Drive Encryption: Configuration Tool version 10.0.18362

Copyright C 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.



ERROR: The volume is already unlocked.


********


How can the drive be both locked and unlocked?


I would really appreciate any help that someone can give. The OS is Windows 10 Pro build 1909.


Thank you

:)

 

Windows 10 reports "The drive protected by Bitlocker is already unlocked" but does not allow access to that drive through File Explorer

When accessing an external drive with BitLocker / BitLocker "auto-unlock" enabled, occasionally Windows 10 reports, in the top left of the screen, that "The drive protected by Bitlocker is already unlocked" but File Explorer does not allow access to the files on the drive.

In File Explorer, the drive also appears with "Locked" icon, despite the fact that "auto-unlock" is enabled and Windows 10 is reporting the drive is unlocked when you click on it.

 

CPU is locked by Bitlocker

I had an issue with Bitlocker but I managed to get the Bitlocker unlocked. However I lost access to my computer, CPU is still locked. I can navigate CPU but I cannot do anything outside CMD.

 

Windows 10 Pro Bitlocker will not auto unlock on boot

I have recently upgraded two identical PCs from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro (

Version 1511 Build 10586.36). One of the PCs is having trouble with the Bitlocker Auto Unlock feature.

PCs are both Intel NUC5i7RYH. Each has a Samsung internal SSD and two Western Digital External hard drives. I have enabled bitlocker on all three drives. The external drives on one of the PCs will not auto unlock on boot.

The details on the problem PC:

I have enabled bitlocker on two external hard drives with auto unlock enabled. However, after every boot from a power off state the external drive is still locked. If I log out and then in again the drive is auto unlocked as expected. But, if I power down
the PC and restart then the drive is not auto unlocked and requires a password be entered.

I know of three ways to enable auto unlock and have tried them all.

1. I have entered the drive password by double-clicking the locked drive. The drive asks for the password and then in the advanced area I have checked the box to auto unlock.

2. I have right clicked the drive in Windows Explorer and chosen Manage Bitlocker. I have Turned off Auto Unlock and then Turned it back on. This doesn't fix the issue.

3. I have run the command line tools from Power Shell as an administrator: Enable-BitLockerAutoUnlock -MountPoint "E:". The command reports that the drive is auto unlocked. However, it is not.

Anyone run across this one before? Any ideas as to what else to try? I reported this issue through the Microsoft Answer Tech and was told that they couldn't fix it. If it can't be fixed is there a way to add it to a list for future consideration of bug
fixes through the Windows Update process?