BitLocker Boot Loop: How to Fix It and Boot Properly

Why does my computer keep booting to the BitLocker recovery screen? How to fix the BitLocker boot loop error? This post will respectively explain how to fix the BitLocker boot loop error with and without the BitLocker recovery key.

Apply to: BitLocker Recovery Loop on Lenovo/Dell/Surface/ASUS

Does the laptop keep looping on the BitLocker recovery screen? Why does my computer keep booting to the Bitlocker Recovery screen? How to disable BitLocker while booting? Do not worry. This post is the right place for you. EaseUS explores several solutions from real user cases on Reddit and the Spiceworks Community.

First, let's learn the possible causes that lead into the loop of BitLocker.

Why Does the Computer Keep Booting into the BitLocker Recovery Screen?

Some users have reported in forum threads that every time they start Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, the computer asks them to enter the BitLocker recovery key. So, what causes this error? BitLocker encrypts your partition to prevent unauthorized access, and it asks for a recovery key when it detects certain conditions that may indicate a potential security risk. So, when you make some partition adjustments, you are prompted to enter the BitLocker Recovery Key. Here are the most common reasons why your computer might ask for the BitLocker Recovery Key:

• TPM reset or changed
• Secure Boot is disabled or modified
• Hardware changes (e.g., addition or removal of RAM, hard disk, or other components)
• Windows update or BIOS/firmware update
• Recent driver updates or system reconfiguration
• Repartitioning, drive corruption, or system disk layout changes
• Corruption of important system files (especially boot-related files)
• Changes in the boot sequence
• Switching between UEFI and Legacy BIOS modes
• Booting from external devices such as USB

These are the reasons that may cause the BitLocker Recovery Key Screen loop. Please share this post to make more people aware of them.

If you don't know the BitLocker Recovery Key, follow the next part to bypass the BitLocker recovery blue screen. If you remember it, skip to part 3 to learn the fixes.

One-Click Fix BitLocker Boot Loop without the Recovery Key

EaseUS Partition Master comes with an advanced feature that allows users to bypass the BitLocker screen without knowing the recovery key. It's the easiest way for beginners. It's easy to use; without any background knowledge, users can create bootable media on another computer and one-click bypass the loop of the BitLocker screen.

Preparations:

• A USB (Back up in advance; all the data will be erased)
• A Computer working properly
• Download EaseUS Partition Master on the PC working properly

Here is how to remove the BitLocker recovery loop error without knowing the BitLocker recovery key:

Step 1. First, connect a USB to the PC running properly. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, navigate to "Bootable Media" section, and click "Create bootable media" option. Click "Next" to continue.

Step 2. Select the target USB drive and click "Create" to continue. Please back up your data in advance since this will erase all data on the USB drive. Then, click "yes" to confirm when you see the warning. Do not exit EaseUS Partition Master until it's done.

Step 3. Connect the bootable USB to the BitLocker encrypted PC and restart PC. During the reboot, press the BIOS key (F2/F8/F12/DEL/ESC) to access BIOS and set the bootable USB as the boot drive. This PC will automatically boot from the USB disk.

Step 4. EaseUS Partition Master will automatically unlock the BitLocker encrypted drive and you can see a "unlock" icon.

Step 5. Hover the mouse on the BitLocker partition; you can see more info of this partition and manage the BitLocker partition such as locking it or turning off BitLocker.

How to Fix BitLocker Boot Loop Error | Manual Fixes

If your Dell/Lenovo/Surface computer keeps booting into a BitLocker recovery loop and you don't know how to skip it, follow these fixes.

Fix 1. Enter BitLocker Recovery Key

The most straightforward solution is to enter your BitLocker recovery key when prompted on the BitLocker recovery screen. This is the 48-bit code you should have saved when you enabled BitLocker. You can learn how to get back your BitLocker Recovery Key by following this link.

Fix 2. Fix BitLocker Boot Loop using Command Prompt

If you can't find the BitLocker Recovery key or entering the key doesn't solve the problem, you can use WinRE to further troubleshoot or try to repair your system. In this Guide, we'll be using the Command Prompt. Be sure to be careful when you enter the command line to avoid unnecessary data loss.

Step 1. Reboot your computer, and once you see the manufacturer's logo (e.g., Dell, Lenovo, Surface), press and hold the F8, F11, or Shift + F8 keys (or use the Novo button on some systems) to access the Advanced Boot Options or BIOS/UEFI menu.

Step 2. From the Recovery menu, select Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.

Step 3. At the Command Prompt window, you can try to unlock the BitLocker-encrypted drive using the following command:

Type the following command and press Enter (this will display the status of all drives and whether they are locked or not):

manage-bde -status

Then, type the following command and press Enter to unlock the drive using the recovery key (replace C: with the actual drive letter of the system disk). It should unlock the drive after you enter the recovery key):

manage-bde -unlock C: -RecoveryPassword YOUR-48-DIGIT-RECOVERY-KEY

Fix 3. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

If you have changed the BIOS/UEFI settings, this may affect BitLocker, but don't worry; follow the steps below to check and reset the settings:

Step 1. Reboot your computer and immediately enter BIOS/UEFI by pressing F2, Esc, or Del (depending on your system).

Step 2. Navigate to the Security tab and check if TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is enabled.

• If TPM is disabled, use the arrow keys to select the Enable option and press Enter.
• In the Boot tab, ensure that Secure Boot is enabled.

Step 3. Save your changes and exit. These settings ensure that BitLocker can properly authenticate the device and prevent the Recovery Key prompt.

Fix 4. Use the Restore Point

If BitLocker still asks for the recovery key after confirming the BIOS settings, you can try a boot repair or a system restore, which will restore all settings and changes to the time before the error starts.

🚩Prerequisite: You need to have created a system restore point before the BitLocker Boot Loop error occurs.

Step 1. Follow the previous steps to enter WinRE. and then, go to Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. Follow the instructions to let Windows try to fix the boot-related issues.

Step 2. If you have recently made changes (e.g., system update), you can try System Restore to restore your system to a previous state. In WinRE, go to Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > System Restore. Make sure you choose a restore point before this error occurs.

Fix 5. Reset Your Computer

You may need to reset your computer if none of the above methods helped you. This option will reinstall Windows but may result in data loss, so be sure to back up all important files.

Step 1. In WinRE, select Troubleshooting > Reset this PC.

Step 2. You can choose to keep your files (Delete Applications and Settings) or delete everything.

Bonus Tip: Disable BitLocker to Avoid BitLocker Recovery Screen

After successfully entering the recovery key, you can disable BitLocker encryption to prevent encountering the BitLocker recovery screen at every boot error again. Of course, if you have important data that needs to be encrypted, decide carefully whether you can turn off BitLocker.

Here's how:

1. Restart your computer, and once you see the manufacturer's logo (e.g., Dell, Lenovo), press and hold the F8, F11, or Shift + F8 keys (or use the Novo button on some systems) to access the Advanced Boot Options or BIOS/UEFI menu.
2. From the Recovery menu, select Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
3. Type the following command lines in Command Prompt to turn off BitLocker:

manage-bde -off C.

1. Press Enter; this will start the decryption process and remove BitLocker from your drive.

Share this post and let more users know how to disable BitLocker to avoid the BitLocker boot loop.

Conclusion

The BitLocker Recovery Cycle is designed to protect your data by requiring authentication when significant changes are detected on your system. While this can be frustrating, following the steps above should help you bypass the BitLocker blue screen and get your system back up and running. If you don't remember the BitLocker recovery secret key, EaseUS Partition Master is an excellent helper.

FAQs About BitLocker Loop at Every Boot

BitLocker asks you to enter the Bitlocker recovery key at startup after it recognizes that your system settings or hardware have changed. Read the following information to help you learn more.

1. How to stop BitLocker recovery on startup?

You can suspend BitLocker protection from the Control Panel, disable BitLocker encryption altogether, or use a command prompt to unlock and disable BitLocker.Alternatively, restoring the BIOS settings or uninstalling the current Windows Update may resolve the compatibility issue that triggers the loop.

2. Why does my computer keep booting to BitLocker Recovery?

Usually, BitLocker recovery cycles for the following reasons:

• Hardware or system changes
• Incorrect PIN entry
• Boot/BIOS changes
• TPM issues
• Repeatedly entering the wrong recovery key

3. How to fix a corrupted BitLocker?

BitLocker corruption can be caused by power failure or accidental shutdown during the encryption process. You can repair a corrupt BitLocker encrypted drive using Command Prompt:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator and enter the following command line:

repair-bde d: e: -rp {BitLocker Recovery Key} -force

• d is the corrupt BitLocker encrypted drive.
• e is the backup drive (must be at least equal to the storage size of the drive), and it is recommended that the drive be formatted with the NTFS file system before use.