bitlocker recovery key unknown and missing

[AUBY1]

bought my laptop second hand and when i got it home it asked for BitLocker recovery key and iv tried all the steps to locate the key and no luck finding it i contacted who i bought it from and they said that BitLocker was never activated to their knowledge, and they didn't have the key either. help please.

[Raj_05]

Hi @AUBY1,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If you have purchased a second-hand HP laptop and it is asking for a BitLocker recovery key, there are a few steps you can take to try to resolve the issue.

Contact the Previous Owner Again:

• Double-check with the person you bought the laptop from and make sure they didn't mistakenly overlook the BitLocker activation. Ask them to reconfirm whether BitLocker was ever used on the laptop.

Check for BitLocker Activation:

• Go to the Control Panel on the laptop and check if BitLocker is indeed activated. If it's not, the prompt might be due to another issue.

Check Microsoft Account:

• If you have a Microsoft account linked to the laptop, check the Microsoft account online for a BitLocker recovery key. Sometimes, Microsoft automatically backs up the recovery key to your Microsoft account.

Search for the Recovery Key in Documents:

• Sometimes the BitLocker recovery key might be stored as a text file in the Documents folder or on the desktop. Search for any files containing "BitLocker" or "Recovery" on the computer.

Contact Microsoft Support:

• If the previous owner and local searches do not yield the recovery key, you may need to contact Microsoft Support. They might be able to help you recover the key if you can provide proof of ownership.

Check External Devices:

• If the previous owner used external drives, check if the recovery key might be stored on one of those devices.

Check for BitLocker Recovery Key Prompt Reasons:

• Sometimes, Windows might prompt for a recovery key due to changes in hardware, such as a motherboard replacement. If the laptop underwent any hardware changes, that might be a cause.

Perform a BitLocker Recovery:

• If none of the above methods work, you might need to perform a BitLocker recovery. This involves using the recovery key or contacting Microsoft Support.

Remember, it's important to ensure that the laptop wasn't stolen, and you have proof of your purchase in case you need assistance from Microsoft Support. If you're unable to resolve the issue, consider contacting Microsoft Support for further guidance.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support