BitLocker recovery key still not working

Question

I entered the correct recovery key numbers but it still brings me back to the page to enter the recovery key numbers again. I reached out for support and was given a back way to go into command and unlock it. I did that step and it showed that it was unlocked but when I restart my system it goes back to requesting the number again and it says PC not started correctly or something like that. This is a brand new HP laptop and I don't know what to do. I have been working on this for the past 2 days.

Answer 1

Hello

Thank you for posting in Q&A forum.

Here are some general troubleshooting steps that might help you move past this BitLocker recovery loop. Before proceeding, please note that working with BitLocker—and especially making changes via command prompt or BIOS—carries some risk. If you have any critical data on the device, you might prefer to consult HP support again or a professional technician.

1. Verify the Recovery Key  

Double-check that the recovery key you’re using is exactly the one associated with your device. Log in to your Microsoft account (if applicable) at https://account.microsoft.com/devices to see if your device and its correct key appears there.

2. Check BitLocker Status from Command Prompt  

Boot into the recovery environment where you can access the command prompt.  

Run the command: manage-bde -status  

This command will show the status of BitLocker on your drives, which might reveal whether the system thinks the drive is still locked or partially unlocked.  

If you see that BitLocker appears unlocked in the command prompt but the system still asks for a recovery key on boot, that might indicate that the change wasn’t “saved” to the TPM (Trusted Platform Module).

3. Review BIOS/UEFI Settings  

Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (often by pressing F2, F10, Esc, or a similar key at startup). Look for settings related to Secure Boot and the TPM. Ensure that TPM is enabled and that Secure Boot settings haven’t been inadvertently altered. Some BitLocker configurations rely on a properly configured TPM.  

If you recently updated your BIOS or if there’s an option to “reset to default settings,” that might be worth trying.

4. Consider TPM and BitLocker Reset Options  

You might also be able to temporarily disable BitLocker from within Windows (if you’re able to get into Windows via advanced recovery options) and then re-enable it. This can sometimes “resync” encryption settings with the TPM.

5. Use Advanced Recovery Options  

Sometimes, using Windows recovery tools like Startup Repair or even booting into Safe Mode (if that option is available) can help get past issues that occur on a normal boot.  

If you’re able to boot from another USB recovery drive, you might try repairing the startup configuration.   

Note: HP often provides recovery media or a recovery partition; check if your laptop has a built-in recovery option accessible via a specific key at boot.

6. Reinstallation as a Last Resort  

If none of the above steps work, you might need to consider performing a factory reset or a clean installation of Windows.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Daisy Zhou

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