HP Accessory Center interferes with BitLocker

[justsomeuser1]

HP Accessory Center 2.21.4522 interferes with BitLocker on my Windows 11 26H2 machine (also valid for 25H2). 

Steps to reproduce:

1. Open HP Accessory Center

2. Connect a BitLocker-encrypted external SSD

3. Unlock the encrypted SSD by entering its password

4. Try to open the drive.

Result: an error appears

Expected result: the drive is opened

This doesn't happen if the HP Accessory Center is not started. The program holds an open handle to the RAW volume before it's mounted (when the password is entered), which prevents Windows from properly mounting the NTFS partition once BitLocker password is entered.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @justsomeuser1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for documenting the issue and providing clear reproduction steps.

Based on your testing, the BitLocker-encrypted SSD opens normally when HP Accessory Center 2.21.4522 is closed but fails when the application is running. We have not found an HP document that currently identifies this as a known issue, so additional system details are required.

Please provide:

• Exact HP computer model or product number
• Complete Windows build under Settings > System > About
• External SSD make and model
• Whether the SSD is connected directly or through a USB hub or dock
• Exact error message after entering the BitLocker password
• Whether an HP USB receiver or other HP accessory is connected
   

Please try these steps:

1. Close HP Accessory Center completely before connecting and unlocking the encrypted SSD.
2. Open Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates, and install any available update for HP Accessory Center.
3. Install all available Windows and optional updates, and then restart the computer.
4. If no update is available, uninstall HP Accessory Center from Settings > Apps > Installed apps, restart the computer, and reinstall the application from Microsoft Store.

HP Accessory Center is used to manage and customize supported HP Bluetooth and USB accessories on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Until the issue is resolved, keep HP Accessory Center closed when unlocking the encrypted drive. Do not initialize or format the SSD if Windows displays such a prompt.

If the issue continues after reinstalling HP Accessory Center, please share the requested computer and SSD details so the behaviour can be reviewed further.

HP Accessory Center: HP PCs - Using HP Accessory Center | HP® Support

Take care and have an amazing day!

[justsomeuser1]

Hello,

The PC is not an HP computer. It's a personal system, based on an Intel Ultra 9 285K CPU, motherboard MSI MPG Z890 EDGE TI WIFI (MS-7E19).

Windows Build: 26300.9711

External SSD: Samsung T9

Connection type: direct, no USB hub

The exact error message after entering the BitLocker password and trying to open the drive in Windows Explorer: "E:\ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect."

Connected HP accessory: HP 960 Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard

Yes, the issue persists after reinstalling the application.

Best regards

[justsomeuser1]

Duplicate, please ignore.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @justsomeuser1,
 

Thank you for sharing the complete system details, the exact error message, and the troubleshooting completed.
 

We appreciate you bringing this issue with HP Accessory Center and the HP 960 Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard to our attention. We will forward the information you provided to the relevant team for review.
 

For the time being, before unlocking or accessing the BitLocker-encrypted Samsung T9 SSD, please completely close HP Accessory Center, including from the system tray. You can then enter the BitLocker password and access the drive. This should help avoid the “E:\ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect.” error while the issue is being reviewed.
 

Thank you again for providing the detailed reproduction information.