Why Does BitLocker Recovery Happen and How to Fix It?

BitLocker is a powerful encryption tool built into Windows that helps protect your data from unauthorized access. When everything works as expected, you simply log into your system without any issues.

However, sometimes BitLocker may trigger a recovery prompt, asking you to provide a BitLocker recovery key to unlock your drive. Why does BitLocker recovery happen? Don’t panic! In this article, we will explain the reasons for the BitLocker recovery prompt and discuss how to resolve this issue effectively.

Why Does BitLocker Recovery Happen?

BitLocker recovery mode can be triggered by a variety of factors. Understanding the most common causes can help you address the issue quickly and prevent it from happening again. Below are several common reasons that may lead to BitLocker recovery:

1. Hardware Changes

Changes to your computer's hardware, such as replacing the motherboard, hard drive, or RAM, can trigger BitLocker recovery. Since these modifications can impact the system’s security, BitLocker requires the recovery key to ensure that no unauthorized access to your data is possible.

2. TPM Issues

BitLocker often relies on the TPM(Trusted Platform Module) chip for hardware-based encryption. If there’s an issue with the TPM, BitLocker may fail to verify the integrity of your system and require you to enter the recovery key.

3. Changes inBIOS or UEFI Settings

Sometimes, making changes in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings, such as boot order or secure boot, can cause BitLocker to detect an unexpected startup environment. As a result, BitLocker enters recovery mode to safeguard your data.

4. System Updates or Upgrades

Additionally, system updates or upgrades, like updating to Windows 11, can also cause BitLocker to enter recovery mode. These updates might change or replace system files in a way that makes BitLocker think there’s a security risk.

5. System Files Corruption

If your operating system files become corrupted or are altered, BitLocker may be triggered into recovery mode. Corruption in the boot sector or key system files can make it impossible for BitLocker to verify the system's security.

6. Password or PIN Incorrectly Entered

If you've configured BitLocker to unlock your drive with a PIN or password, repeatedly entering an incorrect PIN/password may cause BitLocker to trigger recovery mode as a security precaution.

How to Fix BitLocker Recovery?

After exploring the reasons for a BitLocker recovery prompt, let's now focus on how to fix it. When BitLocker enters recovery mode, you'll need to enter a BitLocker recovery key (usually a 48-digit code) or a password to access your encrypted drive. This recovery key is given to you when you first enable BitLocker.

If you've saved the key in your Microsoft account or printed a copy, you can simply enter it to get back into your system. However, it's common to forget where the key is saved or to face issues when trying to access your system. Don’t worry—this section will show you several simple ways to regain access to your data.

Solution 1: Check Your Microsoft Account for Key

When setting up BitLocker, many users choose to save their recovery key to their Microsoft account. If you do this, your recovery key will be stored in the Microsoft cloud. You can easily get it by logging into your Microsoft account. Here's how to find your BitLocker recovery key:

Step 1: Visit the Microsoft website and sign in with your account.

Step 2: Navigate to the Computer section and select Devices > View details.

Step 3: Click on Manage recovery keys in the BitLocker Data Protection section.

Step 4: Your recovery key details will be displayed on the interface. Enter it when prompted to access your encrypted drive.

Solution 2: Search for the Key through File Explorer

Additionally, you might have saved the recovery key as a file on your device. If that's the case, you can easily find it using File Explorer, even when you're offline. The file that holds the BitLocker recovery key is usually named BitLocker Recovery Key and is saved as a .txt or .bek file.

Step 1: Open File Explorer.

Step 2: Type BitLocker Recovery Key in the search bar and press Enter.

Step 3: Find the desired file and open it. You can get the recovery key by viewing this file.

Solution 3: Recover the BitLocker Recovery Key Using Software

If the BitLocker recovery occurs but you can’t find your key, it may have been accidentally deleted. In this case, first check the Recycle Bin to see if it can be restored. However, this method doesn’t always work, especially if the key was permanently deleted or the Recycle Bin was emptied. If that’s the case, you’ll need to use data recovery software to try and recover the deleted file.

We recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, a powerful and professional data recovery tool that can help recover files, even after they've been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin. With its advanced technology and user-friendly interface, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery makes the process of recovering lost or deleted data simple and efficient. Whether your data was lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, or system crashes, this software can handle it with ease.

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Simplifies the recovery process with its user-friendly design, making it accessible even for users with minimal experience.

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Allows you to preview files before recovery, ensuring they are what you want to restore.

Compatible with almost all Windows versions, including Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server.

Here’s how to recover the BitLocker recovery key using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:

Step 1: Install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery on your PC and then launch it. It is advised to install it on a different drive instead of the recovered one.

Step 2: After launching this tool, choose the partition or disk where your BitLocker recovery key was stored.

Step 3: AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery will scan your disk to find all lost files. It offers two scanning modes: Quick Scan for a faster search and Deep Scan for a more thorough examination of your device.

Step 4: Once the scan is complete, all the missing files will be displayed on the interface. Select the file named BitLocker Recovery Key and click the Recover option.

Step 5: To save the recovered file, select a recovery location different from the original drive. Then wait for the process to finish.

Solution 4: Reset BIOS/UEFI Settings

Sometimes, issues can persist even after entering the BitLocker recovery key, especially if you've made changes to the hardware. The BIOS/UEFI settings may need to be adjusted after a hardware change. These settings control how your system detects and interacts with the hardware, and incorrect settings can trigger BitLocker recovery mode.

If you've recently upgraded or replaced hardware, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Reconnect the hardware and restart your computer. Then check if you can access the drive successfully.

Step 2: If not, restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup.

Step 3: Ensure the hard drive or SSD is set as the first boot device. If Secure Boot is enabled, try disabling it to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 4: If you’re unsure which settings were changed, you can restore the BIOS/UEFI settings to their default values.

Solution 5: Reset the TPM

Additionally, BitLocker uses the TPM chip to store encryption keys. If there’s an issue with the TPM, such as corruption or misconfiguration, BitLocker might enter recovery mode. Here’s how to fix it:

Step 1: Restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.

Step 2: Find the TPM section that is usually under Security or Advanced.

Step 3: Choose the option to Clear TPM and follow the instructions to do that.

Step 4: Save the changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.

Step 5: After rebooting, enter the BitLocker recovery key, and the system should work as expected.

Conclusion

BitLocker is a powerful encryption tool designed to protect your data from unauthorized access. However, sometimes, BitLocker may trigger a recovery prompt, asking you to enter a recovery key to unlock your drive. Why does BitLocker recovery happen? Don’t worry! This article explains the common reasons for the BitLocker recovery prompt and provides effective solutions to resolve the issue. By following these steps, you’ll be able to access your drive successfully.