Fixed: The Drive Protected by BitLocker Is Already Unlocked

Why the drive protected by BitLocker is already unlocked?

When attempting to access a BitLocker-encrypted external drive with "auto-unlock" enabled, Windows 10 may display the message, "The drive protected by BitLocker is already unlocked", yet File Explorer denies access, and the drive icon appears locked.

Several factors can trigger this problem:

▸ File Explorer is malfunctioning.

▸ The BitLocker driver encounters unexpected glitches or bugs.

▸ System issues prevent normal functionality.

▸The BitLocker-encrypted drive is slightly corrupted.

No need to panic. This guide will show you how to resolve the error and regain access to your drive.

How to fix the drive protected by BitLocker is already unlocked

When the auto-unlock feature is enabled, File Explorer should automatically grant access to your BitLocker-encrypted drive. However, if the drive still shows a locked icon, something isn't working as expected.

This guide provides a complete list of the most effective troubleshooting methods to help you quickly resolve the problem.

Way 1. Restart your computer

System glitches or bugs can cause your BitLocker-protected external drive, USB flash drive, pen drive, SD card, or other storage devices to remain locked, even with auto-unlock enabled.

To fix this, restart your device. After it restarts, check File Explorer to see if the drive is now accessible.

Way 2. Re-enable the auto-unlock function

Since the error is related to the auto-unlock feature, disabling and re-enabling it can help resolve the problem.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key to open the Start menu.

Step 2. Type BitLocker and press Enter to open the BitLocker menu.

Step 3. Locate the affected drive and select "Turn off auto-unlock".

Step 4. Wait for a moment, then click the same option to re-enable "auto-unlock".

The drive should now be accessible in File Explorer without any errors.

Way 3. Check the drive's BitLocker status

To check whether your drive is actually unlocked, access the BitLocker control panel, find the specific drive, and verify its status.Alternatively, use Command Prompt to check the BitLocker status:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type the following command, replacing C with your drive letter, and press Enter:

manage-bde -status C

Step 3. If the drive is still locked, enter your password or use the generated recovery key to decrypt it. You can also try temporarily disabling BitLocker and re-enabling it to reset any issues with the BitLocker driver.

Way 4. Disable Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process in Folder Options

If you previously enabled "Launch Folder Windows in a Separate Process" in Folder Options, each File Explorer window runs with a separate process ID (PID). Disabling this setting can help resolve the drive error.

Step 1. Open Folder Options on your computer.

Step 2. Switch to the View tab.

Step 3. Uncheck the "Launch folder windows in a separate process" option.

Step 4. Click OK to save the changes.

Way 5. Change 'Unlock drive' to 'Open' in File Explorer

In File Explorer, BitLocker-protected drives may default to "Unlock Drive" instead of "Open." You can change this manually:

Step 1. Locate the drive in the File Explorer folder list.

Step 2. Right-click the drive and choose "Open".

Step 3. The drive’s contents should now be visible.

Way 6. Run chkdsk

If you suspect your drive may have issues, use chkdsk, a built-in Windows command that detects and repairs hard drive errors.

Step 1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the following command, replacing C with the problematic drive letter, and press Enter:

chkdsk C: /f /r

Step 3. This command scans the file system, checks for bad sectors, repairs any errors it finds, and may disconnect the drive temporarily if needed.

Way 7. Update Windows 10/11

If Windows 10 or 11 is outdated, you might encounter the "The drive protected by BitLocker is already unlocked but still not accessible" error. Updating your system can help fix this.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings, then choose Update & Security.

Step 2. Click Windows Update on the left panel and select Check for updates on the right.

Step 3. If no updates are listed, click View optional updates and install any available updates manually.

Way 8. Format the drive

If none of the previous solutions resolve the "The BitLocker encrypted drive is already unlocked but not accessible" error, formatting the encrypted drive may be your last option. This will restore the drive to its original state but will erase all data, so ensure you have a backup or recovery plan in place.

Follow these steps to format the drive using DiskPart:

Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type diskpart, and press Enter. Confirm by clicking Yes.

Step 2. Enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:t

list disk

select disk 1 (replace "1" with the disk number of the encrypted drive)

list partition

select partition 1 (replace "1" with the partition number of the encrypted drive)

format fs=fat32 quick (or use "format fs=ntfs quick")

This will format the drive and make it accessible again.

Windows' built-in tools have limitations when formatting drives larger than 32GB to FAT32 and may encounter errors, such as "DiskPart format stuck at 0". To avoid these issues, it's highly recommended to use a professional tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant. This software allows you to easily format drives to FAT32, NTFS, exFAT, or Ext4 on Windows.

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click the partition you need to format to the NTFS file system and choose “Format Partition”.

Step 2. In the mini window, choose “NTFS” from the file system drop-down menu and click “OK”. You can also set the partition label to quickly distinguish it from others in the future and change cluster size.

Step 3. Click “Apply” and then “Proceed” to start the formatting process.

Conclusion

If you encountered the “The drive protected by BitLocker is already unlocked” error, it may be due to system crashes, driver errors, or drive corruption. You can refer to this post to get 8 effective methods to resolve it. For a more efficient and error-free solution, use AOMEI Partition Assistant to manage and repair your drive with ease.