[Windows 11/10] Troubleshooting - BitLocker Recovery Screen Appears After Startup/Find BitLocker Recovery Key

Applicable Products: Notebook, Desktop, All-in-One PC, Gaming Handheld

 

The BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit numerical password that can be used to unlock an encrypted drive. The sequence is shown as follows: XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX.

 

If you experiences that the computer shows BitLocker recovery screen after power on, it means that the HDD/SDD has been encrypted. (HDD/SDD is locked.) Once PC hardware components have been replaced or BIOS settings have been changed, all may cause system shows BitLocker recovery screen after power on. Therefore, you need to provide a recovery key to solve this problem, please refer to the following troubleshooting steps. If you cannot enter the recovery key to unlock it, another way is doing the re-installation Operating System process.

Note: Regarding BitLocker encryption, it is a data encryption feature provided by Microsoft, designed to protect users' privacy and personal data security. Based on the principles of BitLocker, all encryption keys are stored exclusively on the user's device. ASUS cannot access, retrieve, or manage these encrypted keys. Considering the critical importance of personal data security, BitLocker ensures that only individuals with the correct decryption key can access the protected data.

Note: If your HDD/SSD used Device encryption or Standard BitLocker encryption, you may see the following image when the HDD/SSD is protected. Here you can learn more Device encryption & Standard BitLocker encryption.

 

To provide you more detailed instruction, you can also click ASUS YouTube video link below to know more about How to solve BitLocker recovery screen problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfliA4eNCnU

 

Find BitLocker Recovery Key

If your recovery key is stored in your Microsoft account, you can access it by logging into your Microsoft account from another device to find the BitLocker recovery key.

  1. Open a web browser on another device, navigate to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey, and log in to your Microsoft account. Afterward, you will see a list of BitLocker recovery keys as shown in the screen below.       
Note: If your device has previously been logged in with a work or school account to an organization, the recovery key might be stored within that organization's account. You may be able to locate it directly, click here to expand detailed instructions. If you are unable to access it, you may need to ask your organization's system administrator for your recovery key.
  1. Open a web browser on another device, navigate to https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey and log in to your work or school account, then click on [Devices]①.       
  2. Expand the device for which you want to find the BitLocker recovery key②, and then click [View Bitlocker Keys]③.       
  3. Match the Key ID, and then click [Show recovery key]④.       
  4. The BitLocker recovery key will be displayed as shown on the screen below.       
  1. Use the Recovery Key ID① to find the corresponding Recovery Key② in your Microsoft account. 
     
  2. Enter the corresponding Recovery Key③, and then the system will be able to enter Windows operating system. 

 

Learn more about the statement of Finding your BitLocker recovery key in Windows 11/10 on the Microsoft website

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4530477/windows-finding-your-bitlocker-recovery-key

BitLocker ensured that a recovery key was safely backed up prior to activating protection. There are several places that your recovery key may be, depending on the choice that was made when activating BitLocker:

  • In your Microsoft account: Sign in to your Microsoft account on another device to find your recovery key. If you have a modern device that supports automatic device encryption, the recovery key will most likely be in your Microsoft account. For more, see Device encryption in Windows.        
    Note: If the device was set up or BitLocker protection was activated by another user, the recovery key may be in that user’s Microsoft account.
  • On a printout: You may have printed your recovery key when BitLocker was activated. Look where you keep important papers related to your computer.
  • On a USB flash drive: Plug the USB flash drive into your locked PC and follow the instructions. If you saved the key as a text file on the flash drive, use a different computer to read the text file.
  • In an Azure Active Directory account: If your device was ever signed in to an organization using a work or school email account, your recovery key may be stored in that organization's Azure AD account associated with your device. You may be able to access it directly or you may need to contact a system administrator to access your recovery key.
  • Held by your system administrator: If your device is connected to a domain (usually a work or school device), ask a system administrator for your recovery key.

 

If your problem is not worked out with above solution and information, please contact the ASUS authorized repair center for further tests.