Problem upon startup! Please help

Question

Hi. When I started my computer today, it said “Automatic repair” as it was booting up, but then changed to “Diagnosing your PC”. I then get a blue screen saying “Automatic Repair could not repair your PC”. I have been working on this all day and have found my recovery key. However only the numbers on my keyboard or working, not letters. I tried and external keyboard with the same results. Under advanced repairs, I tried resetting but choose to keep personal files. Which takes me back to the “Reset this PC” screen, where I still can’t type the letters of my recovery key. The bottom of the page gives me three options, “change keyboard layout” -which I tried changing it to US International but letters still not working; “Skip this Drive”, which only takes me to a “Reset this PC screen” with the words “there was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made” and a cancel button; and “Additional Information” which says “BitLocker” then “for more information on how to address the BitLocker error, to to aka.ms/unlockissues” and a “back” button.

Ok. So none of these work. I’m afraid to reset without keeping personal files and want to try everything else first.

So instead of the resetting prompt, I try advanced options.

First option is exit and continue to work does 11, and it starts this entire process over.

Second option is Use a device. I do not have the USB drive, network connection, or recovery DVD to do this.

Startup repair: if I select this, again it says it couldn’t repair PC and try other options.

Startup settings. Gives me the option to restart to change windows options, then gives me a list. I have no idea what to choose. Should I try “disable driver signature enforcement?” Or “disable early-launch anti malware protection”, or “disable automatic restart on system failure”? It says I restart to choose and then I have to pick one 1) enable debugging 2) enable boot logging 3) enable low resolution video and so on. I have no idea which to hit if any. I press “enter to return” and I get “Recovery”. I tit turn and get “ your PC/device needs to be repaired. A required file couldn’t be access because your bit locker wasn’t loaded correctly. Error code: 0XC0210000. It then indicates needing a recovery tool however, every time I get to this point, my computer automatically shuts down within seconds of the screen popping up.

I am at a complete loss. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Kellie

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Recovery and backup***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to startup issue.

Try restart the computer, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. The machine will show advanced boot options. Open command prompt in advanced options, then run below command to disable bitlocker of that drive:

Replace <recovery password> with your 48-digit recovery key, replace C with your current problem drive letter:

manage-bde -unlock C: -recoverypassword <recovery password>

After unlock, disable bitlocker use this command, replace C with your current drive letter:

manage-bde -off C:

Note: The BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit password, with no letters, below is an example:

111111-222222-333333-444444-555555-666666-777777-888888

Have a nice day. 

Best Regards,

Molly