Bitlocker - continuous prompts for entering the recovery key during PC start up

[IT_WinSec]

Symptoms

• A user reports that they are prompted to enter a recovery key from BitLocker when starting their computer - upon every PC start/restart
• Bitlocker full disk encryption software usually should not ask for the recovery key upon PC boot up during normal start-up. Under some curcumstances, after changes or if the program believes the data might be under attack, it might ask for the key but it should not happen continuously

 

Solution

• Obtain the Bitlocker recovery key - if you are not sure, you may check this TKB article from the HP Community >>
• Enter the key during PC start up
• Once Windows loads successfully, click on the Start button
• Type Command Prompt to find the application
• Right click it and run it as Administrator - if asked, confirm positively in the UAC screen
• In the CMD prompt, type 
  manage-bde –protectors -disable c:
• Hit [ENTER] an note the positive confirmation
• Reboot/Restart the computer
• Log back in
• Again open an administrator Command Prompt
• Type in  manage-bde –protectors -enable c:
• Hit [ENTER] an note the positive confirmation
• Reboot/Restart the computer

The issue should be resolved and the computer should not display Bitlocker recovery key prompt before every start.

If the problem persists, load the HP BIOS (F10 during start up) and configure the Advanced settings -> Boot options.  Ensure the Hard Disk Drive / OS Boot manager are selected as the first bootable device. Save the changes and exit. Repeat the steps above.

We would like to encourage you to post a new topic in the community so our member will be able to help you as well, here is the link to post.

[Cdouglas58]

this didn't work, I have to keep entering the BitLocker key over and over and am not able to get to a command prompt. and then the computer shuts down.  What can I do other than give up and get rid of laptop it's only a year old this hole issue started after a windows update and I was getting an automatic repair message and then the computer would shut down. Im soo frustated 

[erico]

@Cdouglas58 

I highly recommend that you create an original post in the Laptop section.
Make sure that you identify your HP product with its Product name and product number(SKU).
How to identify an HP laptop

I really can't understand the logic you used to arrive at "What can I do other than give up and get rid of laptop". 

You do have choices other than a nuclear option.
You can reinstall the operating system.
If you are not comfortable doing that on your own, you can take it to a laptop shop.

Make an HP Cloud Recovery USB flashdrive  and take that with you so they don't charge you with the cost of a new operating system activation key. 

[LDS1412]

This seemed to happen after the latest win 11 update on 8/14/2024. This process did fix the issue.