How to fix BitLocker, set up my PIN, and changed battery but not charging well

Question

Good morning. I have a couple questions that I need a lot of help with right now.

1- I changed my battery last night, but charging the laptop is taking very slow and is actually not charging when it used to charge fast.

2- I need to type in my recovery key everytime I turn my computer on. What can I do so the BitLocker pop up stop appearing?

3- I can't use my PIN after OS was updated, it keeps saying it's unavailable and it's not connected to work/school even though I'm not in school. What can I do set up my PIN so I can stop typing in my email and password

Thank you very much

Answer 1

Hi!

So, are you currently able to access Windows and have you removed BitLocker? Then the only remaining problem is the slowness?

Dell laptops often have this issue. If you don't use an original battery, this problem can occur.

First, press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open Task Manager > Click on Performance > CPU > Take a screenshot and send it to me. Observe the processor speed (next to Utilization) and see if it's low (1GHz, 0.5GHz...).

Regarding the battery purchase, I can't recommend a specific one, but you can go to https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-ae > In Service Tag, enter your notebook's Service Tag, which is located on a label on the back of the notebook labeled Service Tag (ST).

Answer 2

Hi!

What model is your laptop? Some laptop models, like Dell, require an original battery; otherwise, charging or the laptop will be slow.

• Press WINDOWS + R > Type "msinfo32" > In System Summary, send me a screenshot.

When you replaced the battery, the BIOS probably reset. When the BIOS is reset, BitLocker is activated and the PIN becomes unavailable, as both depend on the TPM, which is reset with the BIOS.

Even with the PIN unavailable, are you able to log in using another login method?

Answer 3

Address each issue separately.

1. Slow or no charging after battery replacement The provided context does not include battery‑ or power‑related troubleshooting steps. No additional, supported guidance can be given here.
2. BitLocker asks for recovery key every startup BitLocker is in recovery mode and requires the 48‑digit recovery key to unlock the drive. On the BitLocker recovery screen, enter the recovery key; if correct, Windows will start normally.

After a successful recovery unlock, BitLocker updates its platform validation profile so that recovery should not occur again for the same change. If firmware (BIOS/UEFI) or boot files were changed (for example, during hardware replacement), BitLocker should be suspended before such changes and resumed afterward to avoid repeated recovery prompts. If BitLocker continues to enter recovery on every boot, review the known issues and configuration guidance in the BitLocker recovery documentation and consider suspending/resuming BitLocker or adjusting firmware/secure‑boot settings as documented.

If the recovery key is not available, the drive cannot be unlocked and data cannot be accessed. In that case, the only option is to format the drive and reinstall Windows.

To locate the recovery key, use the options in the BitLocker recovery key guidance (for example, Microsoft account, printed copy, USB, or keys stored by an organization).

3. PIN unavailable after OS update The context includes examples where, if sign‑in with PIN and password cannot be restored (for example, PIN unavailable and password not accepted), the resolution was to reformat the device and perform a clean install, especially when BitLocker is also involved and the recovery key is missing or unusable.

If BitLocker is prompting before the Windows sign‑in screen and the recovery key cannot be provided, no supported method exists to bypass BitLocker or reset the PIN without data loss; the only supported option is to use a recovery image or reinstall Windows, which erases the encrypted data.

If the BitLocker recovery key is available and the device can be unlocked, follow the standard Windows sign‑in troubleshooting and PIN reset guidance in Windows (outside the scope of the provided context). If those steps fail and access still cannot be restored, a reset/reinstall of Windows while using a recovery image is the supported path.

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References:

• Windows devices for home users, businesses, and schools with Microsoft-managed updates
• BitLocker recovery process
• BitLocker recovery: known issues
• BitLocker FAQ
• I WANT TO FIND MY BITLOCKER RECOVERY KEY FOR MY COMPUTER - Microsoft Q&A
• Surface Pro 3 blocked - Microsoft Q&A