Failed Windows Update - Bitlocker Login Issues

Question

Failed Windows Update - Bitlocker Login Issues

NS 0

Currently on Win 11 24H2 wanted to upgrade to 25H2 but the in place upgrade failed and rolled backed everything - now turned the device on and it won't recognise the bitlocker pin/password

it has TPM enabled, I thought I had saved the key to microsoft account but doesn't show it on there - but does show the device on the account - can't find any other backup key - but really need to get into the drive

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2 answers

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Answer 1

NS 0

the pc was originally signed in using local account, then the microsoft account was added and then after few months bitlocker was enabled - therefore by this process the recovery key should have been saved onto the microsoft account but it hasn't

Sin-D 10,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-31T08:22:38.56+00:00

Hi NS,

Thanks for your response.

Adding a Microsoft account to Windows does not automatically convert a local account into a Microsoft account sign‑in. If BitLocker was enabled while still signed in using the local account, the recovery key is not uploaded to the Microsoft account

So please confirm whether the Microsoft account was set as the primary sign‑in account before encryption. The recovery key is only saved online when encryption starts while actively signed in with a Microsoft account session. Merely having a Microsoft account added under Accounts does not guarantee key backup

Answer 2

Sin-D 10,220 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi NS,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand you are unable to access your BitLocker‑protected drive after a failed Windows in‑place upgrade rollback, and the BitLocker PIN or password is no longer being accepted.

Please try to follow these steps:

1, On another working device, open a web browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey

Sign in using the same Microsoft account that was used on this Windows 11 device
Check carefully for any listed BitLocker recovery keys that match the affected device

2, If the recovery key is not listed online, check all possible offline backup locations

Printed copies
USB flash drives
Saved text files or screenshots
Password managers or secure note apps previously used

3, Power off the affected device completely, then enter UEFI or BIOS settings

Confirm TPM is enabled
Do not clear the TPM
Save changes if prompted and restart the device

4, When the BitLocker recovery screen appears again, select the option to enter a recovery key instead of a PIN

Enter the full 48‑digit recovery key if one is found
Ensure the correct keyboard layout is selected before typing

5, If multiple Microsoft accounts were ever used on this device, repeat Step 1 using each account

BitLocker keys are only stored under the account that was active when encryption was enabled

6, If no recovery key can be located after checking all locations and accounts, access to the encrypted data cannot be restored

At this point, the remaining option within Windows is to reset the device and remove BitLocker protection to reuse the drive

Disclaimer: The steps above may result in permanent data loss. Please ensure important data is backed up before proceeding.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Sin-D 10,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-25T07:17:39.3666667+00:00

Hi,

I just wanted to check in and see if the steps worked for you.

If you need any further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out by clicking "Add Comment" or "Post Answer" (If you cannot add comment)! This helps me can read your follow up! Thank you.
NS 0 Reputation points

2026-01-25T15:37:20.39+00:00

unfortunately this doesn't give the fact that i've already done those steps and i don't understand why my bitlocker key wasn't saved to my account
Sin-D 10,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-26T05:17:56.6466667+00:00
Hi,

Thanks for your update. Please try to follow these additional steps:

1, On another device, sign in to your Microsoft account and open https://account.microsoft.com/devices

Select the affected device

Confirm whether the device shows as encrypted or only registered

2, On the affected PC, determine how encryption was originally enabled

If the device was first set up using a local account, the recovery key is not automatically saved to a Microsoft account

If Device Encryption was enabled before signing in with a Microsoft account, the key is not uploaded retroactively

3, If the device was upgraded from an earlier Windows version, check whether BitLocker was manually enabled

Manually enabled BitLocker requires the user to choose where the recovery key is saved

If no save location was selected at that time, no cloud copy exists

4, If this is a Windows Home device, confirm whether Device Encryption was used instead of full BitLocker

Device Encryption only uploads the key when a Microsoft account is actively signed in at encryption time

5, Review whether the device was ever signed in with a different Microsoft account during initial setup

Recovery keys are stored only under the exact account used at the time encryption was activated

6, If no recovery key exists in any location, Windows cannot unlock the encrypted drive

BitLocker encryption is designed so that data cannot be accessed without the recovery key

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Failed Windows Update - Bitlocker Login Issues

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