Incorrect Function error when turning off BitLocker

Question

Hello, we are trying to turn off BitLocker on a computer however every way we try we get the same unhelpful error of 'Incorrect function'?

We are doing it all using administrator privileges and have tried from the BitLocker settings page and from CMD with the same result (see screenshots)

we also found a 'fix' using a Regedit but the path it says to look in doesn't exist in the entries.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

Answer 1

You're a lifesaver! I was about to format the laptop! It works exactly as you described! I have a Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro, AMD, and Windows 11 PRO for reference.

Answer 2

SOLUTION: Okay I got it!

First, you have to get the Bitlocker Key for that drive (click backup bitlocker key from the bitlocker menu right below where you turn it off in Windows, then print it to a pdf)

Boot to Windows Recovery menu (hold shift while clicking restart)

Then click the troubleshoot option then the option to go to a command prompt

it will prompt you for that numeric bitlocker key

enter that and it will give you a command prompt from that recovery drive

then you can just enter: manage-bde –off C:

it will say "decrypting drive..."

then if you want to check the progress just enter the manage-bde -status command until is says it's all decrypted and off

Then you can boot normally and if you go to the bitlocker management window it will show that it's off! Boom! Good luck!

Didn't work for me. The same issue in the Safe Mode.

Any Other Ideas?

Answer 3

Hi Andrew, I had a similar problem. I had to remove the ESET Encryption and reboot the system. Remove any third party encryption software and reboot the system. After a system reboot you should be able to disable Bitlocker using the command manage-bde –off C:

Ensure you run CMD as an administrator.

Answer 4

Same problem here. Trying to put Bitlocker off from recovery command prompt, but getting same error. No other encryprion software installed.

PC: HP Probook