Can't start Windows. I get Bitlocker message,

[pjharren]

I can't open Windows. I turn on computer and get BitLocker message. I entered recovery key and it goes to Automatic Repair.  Auto repair can't fix. I click to go to Windows and it goes back to Auto Repair. Hardware diagnostic shows disk is good. How to I get to windows?

[Bill_To]

Greetings @pjharren 

Welcome to the HP Forum.

Sorry to say you are in a lose lose situation if the correct BitLocker recovery key fails to unlock the system drive.

You'll lose all data on the encrypted drive.

You will have to reinstall Windows using the HP Cloud Recovery option or do a clean W11 installation using Windows installation media.

Regards

[pjharren]

The drive is not encrypted. The OS is Windows 11 Home which does not include the full Bitlocker. Bitlocker accepted the recovery key but I could not get any further than the HP Diagnostics, which failed. I subscribed to HP Smart Friend and they helped me get a restore point reloaded. Everything is working now. That $17 for a month of Smart Friend was worth it. I don't know what caused the problem.

[Bill_To]

Greetings @pjharren 

Good to see HP Smart Friend solved your problem.

FYI, W11 Home has a version of BitLocker called Device encryption.

A W11 Home PC will enable BitLocker lite during the OOBE after the user sets up a Microsoft account to sign into the new PC.

Check: Settings>Privacy and security>Device encryption.

You can turn off Device encryption if you don't need this security option.

I don't use Device Encryption or BitLocker.

Access to the drive and all data on this drive will be lost if the TPM gets corrupted or if the recovery key fails to unlock the drive.

And you should turn off Device encryption before doing a BIOS update.

Regards