BitLocker is a Windows security feature that provides encryption for entire volumes. However, some people report that their laptop keeps asking for recovery key. 

Why does BitLocker keep asking for recovery key? How to fix it? If you are curious about this error, you come to the right place. Here, NewsPivot shows the possible causes of the “BitLocker keeps asking for recovery key” issue and provides several solutions.

What Causes BitLocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key?

Why does BitLocker keep asking for recovery key? If you wonder what to know the reasons for the “BitLocker asking for recovery key” issue, you can read this section. After investigating extensive user reports, I find that this issue always due to the following reasons:

  • Malware attack.
  • Boot/BIOS changes.
  • TPM device not detected.
  • Update both the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and ROM firmware.
  • Input the wrong PIN or forget the PIN.
  • Hardware connections or removals.
  • A problematical update was installed.
  • Configuration of BitLocker on the PC.

How to Fix BitLocker Keeps Asking for Recovery Key?

How to fix BitLocker keeps asking for recovery key? Here I summarize 5 helpful solutions. You can try these methods to fix the issue on your own.

# 1. Use Command Prompt

The first way you can try to fix the “laptop keeps asking for recovery key” is by using Command Prompt to unlock BitLocker. Here’s the way:

  1. Open BitLocker and then press the Esc button for More options.
  2. Click on Advanced Option in the next window.
  3. Then, select Advanced Options and then choose Command Prompt.
  4. Enter the command “manage-bde-unlock C: -rp recovery key” and press Enter.
  5. Next, type “manage-bde-protectors-disable C” to remove the protection over the boot drive.
  6. After that, restart your computer and check if the “BitLocker asking for recovery key” issue is fixed.

# 2. Turn off BitLocker Encryption Temporarily

Turning off BitLocker encryption temporarily is another way you can try to fix the “BitLocker keeps asking for recovery key” issue. Here’s the guide:

Step 1. Open BitLocker and enter your recovery.

Note:
If you are using Microsoft's Outlook account, the encryption of Bitlocker starts automatically. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey and get your recovery key to enter.

Step 2. Press the Win + S keys to open the Search window, type “control panel” and press Enter.

Step 3. Set View by as Large icons, and then select BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Step 4. Click on Suspend Protection to turn off BitLocker encryption temporarily.

Tips:
You can also click Turn off BitLocker to turn off BitLocker encryption.
click the Turn off BitLocker link

Step 5. Then, click on Yes in the pop-up window.

click Turn off BitLocker

Step 6. Wait a few minutes after suspending protection and then click the Resume protection option to update BitLocker TPM.

# 3. Disable Auto-unlock Option

Disabling the Auto-unlock option is also a useful way you can try to fix the “BitLocker keeps asking for recovery key at startup” issue. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Repeat the step 2 and step 3 in # 2 to open theBitLocker settings window.
  2. Click on the Turn off auto-unlock option.
  3. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

# 4. Disable Secure Boot

You can also try disabling Secure Boot to fix the “BitLocker keeps asking for recovery key at startup” issue. To do that, you can just do as follows:

Step 1. Open BitLocker and then press the Esc button on your keyboard.

Step 2. Click Skip this drive and then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.

Step 3. Click Security and then select Change Configuration under Secure Boot.

Step 4. Choose Microsoft Only and click OK.

Step 5. After that, click on Exit and restart your PC.                      

# 5. Use Legacy Boot

Some people also report that using Legacy Boot helps them fix the “laptop asking for BitLocker recovery key every time” issue. You can also have a try. To do that, please do the following steps:

  1. Open the Search window, type “cmd” in the search box.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type “bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy” and press Enter key.  

# 6. Try Some Other Ways

If none of the above methods can help you fix the “laptop asking for BitLocker recovery key every time” issue, you can try the following ways to fix the issue.

  • Update Windows OS
  • Update BIOS
  • Uninstall and reinstall the problematic update

Bottom Line

How to fix BitLocker keeps asking for recovery key? This post shows the possible causes of this error and provides several fixes. You can try the methods mentioned in this post one by one until the error gets fixed.

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