How are resolve my BitLocker Recovery

Question

Hi,

I’m having a problem with my BitLocker Recovery. It won’t let me enter the code below and only allows numbers.

Any suggestions on how to fix it?

Thank you,

David

Answer 1

Hi David, Thank you for posting your question here in Microsoft Q&A Forum! Let me help you out.

BitLocker isn’t letting you type letters because the recovery screen only accepts the 48 digit numeric recovery key. It’s always numbers only, usually in 8 groups of 6 digits, and you can ignore the hyphens. If it rejects letters, it’s because it’s waiting for that numeric key, not a PIN or password.

If you still don’t have the key, check every place it could be stored your Microsoft account, your work or school account if the device was managed, any printed copy, a USB backup, or your IT team if it’s a company device.

If you set it up with school or work account, it is worth checking here as well https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey sign in with your work/school email credential in that case. Once you find the 48 digits just type the numbers in.

Best regards,

Angelique P.

Answer 2

On the BitLocker recovery screen, only the 48‑digit numeric recovery key can be entered. Letters from a BitLocker password or any mixed alphanumeric string are not accepted there.

To resolve this:

1. Make sure the value being entered is the 48‑digit numeric recovery key, not a BitLocker password or PIN. The recovery key is usually formatted as 8 groups of 6 digits (hyphens are optional when typing).
2. If the recovery key can’t be found, check all locations where it may have been backed up (for example, Microsoft account, work/school account, printout, USB, or your organization’s IT if it’s a managed device) as described in the BitLocker recovery guidance.
3. Once the correct 48‑digit numeric key is available, type only the digits on the BitLocker recovery screen; ignore any letters or other characters from other BitLocker credentials.

If the 48‑digit numeric recovery key cannot be located in any of the documented locations, BitLocker protection cannot be bypassed and data on the drive cannot be decrypted.

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References:

• Windows devices for home users, businesses, and schools with Microsoft-managed updates
• Request for Assistance with BitLocker Recovery – Surface Pro 2 - Microsoft Q&A
• Surface Pro 3 blocked - Microsoft Q&A
• The recovery password for a laptop wasn't backed up, and the laptop is locked
• Windows commands
• BitLocker recovery process
• BitLocker recovery: known issues