A Comprehensive Guide to Fixing Bitlocker Recovery Key Messages

Data Recovery



It can be a pain to get BitLocker to restore key messages. Kind of like when you don't seem to be having any security problems. But Windows is giving you strange messages about your BitLocker recovery key for no clear reason. It might happen after an update. Or, you are given the chance to enter the recovery key when you restart the machine. Also, sometimes even when you follow all the steps exactly, you get mistakes like "failed to unlock with this recovery key."


This article explained the different kinds of BitLocker recovery key messages and how to fix problems that might happen.

What Is BitLocker Recovery Mode?


When IT pros want to protect sensitive data, they use BitLocker on computers with drives. For instance, if your PC shows a BitLocker recovery screen when you turn it on, that means the HDD or SSD has been protected. BitLocker's encryption features all come with a recovery key that is made for you instantly. You can save this key in a number of ways, and it will come in handy when you need it.


There are some situations when Windows detects any unauthorized attempt or sense being tampered with. It triggers a recovery mode. If you can't unlock the drive, BitLocker recovery mode is the last resort to restore your access to a BitLocker-protected drive.


There are some options in front of users to gain access again:


Giving the recovery keys is the easy thing to do. You can save a BitLocker restore password in a number of different ways. There are some groups that let you keep a hard copy. You could also save it to your Microsoft account online, a file on the same PC, or a USB. The story will end if you figure out the 48-digit key and type it in.


A data recovery agent (DRA) can get into the drive with their passwords. To get to the drive, the data recovery software needs to mount it as a data drive on a different computer if the drive is an operating system drive.

Causes BitLocker Recovery Key Messages? 


Several situations can cause the BitLocker recovery mode to be triggered; let's review them as follows:


1. Failed to Authenticate


When you forget your PIN, you might have to enter the wrong PIN too many times, which could set off the TPM's anti-hammering logic. 


It can also happen if your term is laid out differently, if you use all capital letters, or if you are not writing in English. 


If you lose your USB or printed BitLocker recovery key, you won't be able to get to the protected files.


2. Boot/BIOS Alterations:


  • Updating the BIOS

  • Should you turn off BIOS while reading a USB in a pre-boot setting with USB-based keys? 

  • To boot another drive before the hard drive, you need to change the BIOS boot order.

  • When upgrading startup components like BIOS upgrades.

  • Any master boot record (MBR) alteration or modification on the disk

  • Changes to the boot manager (bootmgr) on the disk.

  • Not starting up from a network drive before starting up from the hard drive 

  • When you press a BIOS button during the boot process, the hard drive is not the first thing that runs.


3. Any Change in Hardware, Software, and Firmware:


  • It could have something to do with playing CDs or DVDs or adding or removing hardware or add-in cards, like video or network cards.  Any firmware upgrade can count too.

  • If your computer was undocked when BitLocker was turned on, docking/undocking that PC can cause an alarm.

  • NTFS partition table modifications include: create, deleting, and resizing any of the primary partitions.

  • TPM changes, such as turning it off, stopping it, deactivating it, or clearing it. TPM firmware upgrade.


4. Other Triggers to Watch


Changing the PCRs, which are Platform Configuration Registers used by the TPM authentication profile. If you move the BitLocker-protected drive to a different place. 


Motherboard Upgrade with a new TPM, failing TPM self-test, or hiding the TPM from the operating system.

Ways to Fix BitLocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key


Solution 1: Enter The Correct Recovery Key (Self-Recovery)


This part tells you how to find the restore key that will fix the problem. For instance, you could ask people if they remember saving the key on a USB or printing it. But it might be a good idea for any group to make a self-recovery plan ahead of time. 


Like telling workers to save the key on a USB flash. Plus, they should be informed not to store the UBS next to the PC, especially during travel (if you lose your bag, no one can take advantage of it).


One more suggestion is that users should call the "Helpdesk" before or after doing self-recovery to find out what went wrong.


Solution 2: Suspend Protection of BitLocker Drives


If you are using BitLocker drive encryption on your PC, before applying new updates, hardware alterations, or any triggers we mentioned, suspend the protection of BitLocker drives as follows:


How to suspend BitLocker with Control Panel:


To suspend BitLocker using Control Panel on Windows 10, use these steps:


  1. Open Control Panel. Click on System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

open control panel


  1. Then, choose the Suspend protection option and click Yes to confirm.

choose suspend protection


  1. Once complete the process, you temporarily disable the BitLocker protection without decrypting your data.


After you're done with your system changes, always make sure to resume encryption to keep your files protected. Here's how you can resume BitLocker protection after finishing with your alterations:  


  • Open Control Panel.

  • Select System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Resume protection.

  • Press Yes.


How to suspend BitLocker with Command Prompt


To disable BitLocker Command Prompt on Windows 10 temporarily, follow these steps:


  • Open “Start” and search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator


  • Type the following command to identify the drive that you want to suspend BitLocker and press Enter:


  • Once you’re done, your computer will temporarily stay without encryption protection, ready to perform system changes.


Here's how to resume BitLocker protection after applying the system changes:  


Open Start, search for Command Prompt, and select the Run as administrator option again.


Solution 3: Turn off Auto-lock for BitLocker


To avoid recovery key messages, you can disable auto-lock for BitLocker. Use the following methods:


How to Turn On/Off BitLocker Auto-unlock for Drive in BitLocker Manager


  • Open the Control Panel, and click on the BitLocker Drive Encryption icon.

  • Open the fixed or removable data drive you want to turn on/off its auto-unlock.

  • Click on Turn off auto-unlock


You can turn on BitLocker Auto-unlock again, and it will resume work as before:


  • First, open “This PC” in File Explorer (Win+E).

  • Then tap on it to open a locked fixed or removable data drive (for example, a USB called "F" drive); you want to turn on its auto-unlock.

  • Enter the password to unlock this drive.

  • Check the "Automatically unlock on this PC" box, and click and tap on Unlock.


Bonus Tips: Rescue and Backup Crucial Data from a PC with Boot Issues


Professional software is the best way to recover your precious data if your PC is stuck on BIOS Screen.


BLR Bitlocker Data Recovery is a recovery program that can recover data in many situations, from crashed PCs, corrupted SD cards, formatted drives, damaged internal hard drives, etc.

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