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Bitlocker key isnt working!

Abby 0 Reputation points
2026-04-17T23:02:43.2566667+00:00

I had to flash my BIOS, which caused bitlocker to prompt my to enter my recovery code at startup. When i enter my code, it gets stuck on the "preparing bitlocker recovery", seems to freeze, and shut down my PC shortly after.

Is there any way i can get past this without needing to spend a day reinstalling Windows?? This is honestly insane i feel like my files are being held ransom by a security measure i never consented to.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures
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  1. Manoel Barros 19,455 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-18T00:20:20.46+00:00

    Hi! When the BIOS is updated, it is reset, and the TPM may have been cleared, which activated BitLocker. Since you couldn't unlock it using the conventional method, you should use WinRE.

    Creating Installation Media

    1. To create an Installation Media, you will need the following items:
    • A Flash Drive of 8GB or more.
    • Another computer with Internet access.

    ATTENTION: Back up the files on your Flash Drive to a safe location, as the Flash Drive will be formatted.

    1. Download the Media Creation Tools from the link below.

    Windows 11

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11?msockid=3590798658a5614e31406dbf59bb60ff

    Windows 10

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10?msockid=3590798658a5614e31406dbf59bb60ff

    1. Open Media Creation Tools > In the Permission Window, select "Yes".
    2. Accept the Terms > In the next window, check the option "Create installation media (USB Flash Drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" > Continue.
    3. In "Choose how the media will be used", select the option "USB Flash Drive" > Select the Flash Drive > Continue.
    4. Wait for the Installation Media to be created.

    Entering Recovery Mode (WinRE)

    After creating the Installation Media, let's move on to the next step.

    1. Connect the Installation Media to your PC > Access your PC's BIOS and check if the boot order is correct.
    • When turning on your PC, press the F2 keys without stopping until you access the BIOS. Also try the DELETE/DEL, F10, F8, ESC or F4 keys.
    • Enter advanced mode (F7 key) > Go to the Boot > Boot Order option > Place the "UEFI: <Make and Model of Installation Media>" option first.
    • If you have any doubts about which device you should put in First Place (#1), take pictures of the Boot tab and attach them to this topic.
    • Save and exit (F10 key) >
    1. Now let's type the following commands.

    ATTENTION: Type the entire command on the first line > Press ENTER > Wait for the command to complete > Run the next command in the list.

    
manage-bde -unlock  X: -rp <Key>
    • Replace the letter X with the letter of the Encrypted Drive (Usually "C") and then place the Colon.
    • Replace <Key> with the Recovery Key (Including Dashes).

    EXAMPLE:

    manage-bde -off C: -rp 123456-789012-345678-901234-567890-123456-789012-345678

    1. Use the Command below to check the unlock status of the Encrypted Drive.
    
manage-bde -status C:
    1. When the "Percentage Encrypted" option is at 0%, it means the drive is BitLocker free.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-04-17T23:02:58.7766667+00:00

    The behavior is consistent with BitLocker unlocking the drive, then Windows failing during startup and triggering Automatic Repair, which in turn can cause repeated BitLocker prompts or boot loops.

    Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and repair the boot files instead of reinstalling immediately:

    1. Force the device into WinRE
      1. Power the PC off completely.
      2. Power it on and let it start booting.
      3. As soon as it fails and reboots, power it off again. After about two failed boot attempts, Windows should automatically enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
    2. Open Command Prompt in WinRE
      1. In WinRE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
      2. When prompted, enter the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the OS drive.
    3. Repair the boot configuration In Command Prompt, run these commands in order (press Enter after each): 
         bootrec /scanos
   bootrec /rebuildbcd
   bootrec /fixmbr
   bootrec /fixboot
    4. Restart and test
      1. Close Command Prompt and choose Continue to boot into Windows.
      2. If Windows starts, sign in and install the latest Windows and firmware updates to help prevent future issues.

    If Windows still does not start after these steps, a full reinstall may be required, but the above procedure is the supported way to try to repair the system without immediately reinstalling.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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