Bitlocker Loop

Question

I tried unlocking my laptop from sleep and it was stuck on the back drop. It was not frozen as I could still move my cursor around the screen, but the PIN input or any other features never appeared. I then hard restarted the laptop and was met with the recovery key screen. I put in my key and it spits me back to the recovery key screen. I have tried disabling bitlocker via the command prompt, but error 0x800703f1 appears and says “the configuration registry database is corrupt.” I have tried resetting the laptop but it says “there was a problem resetting your PC.”

Any help is greatly appreciated as I desperately need this computer for work.

Answer 1

Hello,

You might have to reinstall Windows using a USB, since Windows won't reset when there's a BitLocker encrypted drive.

To do this, you will have to purchase a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of capacity. If you have another computer, download the Media Creation Tool (push here for Windows 10, and push here for Windows 11), and then run the exe once it downloads. If you get a UAC prompt, simply push Yes. Once the MCT comes up, insert your USB flash drive, choose your architecture, language, and time/currency format, make sure to push "USB Flash Drive", as this will move the files from the ISO to your flash drive. Let the MCT do its thing, and then eject the flash drive once it's done.

On the non-functioning computer, boot from the USB flash drive, and then once the Windows Installer comes up, push "Install Now". Install to the drive that has the Windows partition, and then let Windows install. This will format the drive that you are trying to install to, so make sure to back up your data beforehand. After it finishes installing, complete the OOBE (Out-of-Box-Experience), and then you should be on your way. If you don't have a second computer, ask a friend or family member.

Let me know how this goes.