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How to Unlock Bitlocker When It Stops Accepting Recovery Keys

Summary: This article contains information regarding a workaround to unlock BitLocker when it stops accepting key inputs to unlock.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

BitLocker may fail to unlock when the key is entered. When the key is entered (even when registered in Active Directory), BitLocker reports the key was accepted and the unlock was successful, but then prompts you to reenter the key again. This behavior then loops.


Work around To Unlock

To terminate this BitLocker recovery loop, BitLocker must be suspended from within WinRE. To do so, follow these steps:
  • On the page where you are asked to enter the recovery key, select the Skip this drive link at the bottom. You should be presented with a menu that will let you get to a command prompt. The sequence is Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command prompt.
  • In the command prompt, use the following command to check the BitLocker status of the C: Drive:
    • manage-bde -status c:
  • If the status is returned as locked, you must use the following command to unlock it using your recovery password:
    • manage-bde -unlock c: -rp your 48-digit recovery password
  • Once the drive is unlocked, you must use the following command to suspend protection:
    • manage-bde -protectors -disable c:
  • Exit and reboot.
  • The computer should now successfully boot Windows. Once there, use the BitLocker control panel to resume BitLocker protection.

Helpful Links

Additional Information

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Affected Products

Alienware, Inspiron, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000130549
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 06 Aug 2024
Version:  10
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