Incorrect Recovery Key

Question

Hello. I am hoping someone can help me on this.

I updated my inspiron15 last night and shut it off for the night, I turn my computer on today and I am completely locked out of my computer - no access to anything.

I signed into my Microsoft account after remembering my password, I download the Authenticator app, then I got into the part when I find my recovery key in the device information. I copy and paste the recovery key that is on my screen into the section where you enter the recovery key, it keeps saying it is the incorrect recovery key, please enter the correct one.

There is no other option of a recovery key, I keep putting it in the section. Same thing - I don’t know what to do, I can’t restart it, can’t put any commands into my computer. The screen says the ‘key uphold date’ was on Thursday, December 25th, 2014? I didn’t even have this computer then, i just got it this August 2021. I don’t even remember setting up or reading anything about a BitLocker Recovery Key. I can’t do anything, I don’t know what to do. This is very frustrating because I can’t afford to lose all my data and files that are currently in my computer, I am a student and NEED access to my computer. I switched from Apple because I had a hard time figuring it all out, I switch to windows because I can work it better but this just set me off.

I hope someone can help me out with this because I am at a loss.

Answer 1

Hi there,

If your device is a modern device that meets certain requirements to automatically enable device encryption, your BitLocker recovery key is automatically saved to your Microsoft account before protection is activated.

You can try to recover them by following these articles.

Finding your BitLocker recovery key in Windows
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/finding-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-in-windows-6b71ad27-0b89-ea08-f143-056f5ab347d6

BitLocker recovery guide
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-recovery-guide-plan

You can also try to disable the secure boot in the UEFI and try logging to your device.

-Open the PC BIOS menu:
You can often access this menu by pressing a key while your PC is booting, such as F1, F2, F12, or Esc.
Or
From Windows, hold the Shift key while selecting Restart. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options: UEFI Firmware Settings.
-Find the Secure Boot setting in your BIOS menu. If possible, set it to Disabled. This option is usually in either the Security tab, the Boot tab, or the Authentication tab.
-Save changes and exit.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/disabling-secure-boot?view=windows-11

Hope this resolves your Query!!

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