Solved: BitLocker Encryption Failed?

This article will guide you through troubleshooting and resolving common BitLocker encryption failures.

BitLocker is a Microsoft built-in disk encryption tool for securing sensitive data on Windows PCs. However, users often encounter the frustrating "BitLocker failed to encrypt the drive" error, which halts the encryption process and leaves data vulnerable. This comprehensive guide provided by EaseUS will walk you through understanding the root causes of this error and provide actionable solutions to resolve it.

What Causes BitLocker Encryption Failure?

BitLocker encryption failure can occur due to several reasons:

📌TPM Issues: The TPM must be properly configured and enabled for BitLocker to function correctly. If the TPM is not recognized or is disabled, BitLocker will fail to encrypt the drive.

💻Operating System Issues: The operating system must be up to date and properly configured for BitLocker. Incompatibilities or outdated software can cause encryption failures.

🔔File Corruption/Hard Drive Errors: The hard drive must be free from errors and meet BitLocker's requirements for encryption. If the drive is corrupted or does not meet these requirements, encryption will fail.

🎓Incorrect BitLocker Configuration: Incorrect settings or missing prerequisites in the BitLocker configuration can prevent successful encryption.

🎭Insufficient Disk Space: BitLocker requires free space to create encryption metadata.

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How to Fix BitLocker Encryption Failed

BitLocker encryption fails to encrypt your drive? This section will show you available solutions. Before that, you'd better make a full backup of your important data.

#1. Check Your System Requirements

BitLocker has specific requirements to ensure that it can function correctly and provide robust encryption for your data. Here are some of the key requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education Edition.
• Storage Size: At least 64 MB of free space on the system drive.
• System Firmware: UEFI (not legacy BIOS) for Secure Boot compatibility.
• TPM: Version 1.2 or higher (for automatic encryption).

Below is how to check TPM status:

Step 1. Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and check TPM status.

Step 2. Open System Information (msinfo32) and confirm Secure Boot State is "On."

If requirements aren't met, upgrade hardware or adjust firmware settings.

#2. Enable BitLocker Encryption via Third-party Tool

EaseUS Partition Master Free is an advanced and comprehensive disk management tool that offers advanced features for managing BitLocker and troubleshooting BitLocker encryption issues. Whether you need to encrypt a new drive, decrypt an existing one, or fix a failed encryption, EaseUS Partition Master offers the tools and flexibility to get the job done efficiently.

Here is how it can assist you in Bitlocker Encryption:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, enter the Partition Manager section to locate the BitLocker encrypted partition. Click the BitLocker icon to bring up the BitLocker Manager.

Step 2. Click the Turn On button in BitLocker Manager. 

Step 3. After the bitlocker indicates the drive, choose how you want to unlock this drive.(If you choose to use a password to unlock the drive, enter your password.)

Step 4. Then, choose how do you want to back up your recovery key.

Step 5. Choose how much of your drive to encrypt.

Step 6. Choose which encryption mode to use.

Step 7. When the "Are you ready to encrypt this drive" window prompt, choose "Start encrypting."

Step 8. Wait till the Bitlocker encryption is complete.

For users who want to explore more about EaseUS Partition Master, check the posts below:

Alternative Way: Run CMD to Turn On Bitlocker

If you are not tech-savvy, you can run the manage commands to force BitLocker to encrypt your disk:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as administrator. To force encryption, type the following commands:

manage-bde -on C: -used

🛎️You May Interested in: How to Disable Bitlocker in CMD

#3. Check If the Group Policy Settings Are Right

Checking Group Policy settings is crucial for ensuring that BitLocker encryption functions correctly across an organization. To verify if the Group Policy settings for BitLocker are correctly configured, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press "Windows + R" and open the Local Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Ensure policies are set correctly to allow encryption.

# 4. Enable BitLocker without TPM

To enable BitLocker without a TPM, you need to modify the Group Policy settings to allow BitLocker to function without a TPM. This involves enabling the option to use BitLocker with a password or a USB startup key instead of relying on a TPM for key storage and authentication:

Step 1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2. Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives.

Step 3. Double-click Require additional authentication at startup.

Step 4. Select Enabled and check Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM.

Step 5. Click "Apply" and "OK," then restart.

# 5. Free Up Disk Space

BitLocker needs space for encryption metadata. If your drive doesn't have enough space, you can follow this tutorial to free up disk space easily and quickly:

Step 1. Clean temporary files with Disk Cleanup (search this utility in the Start menu).

Step 2. Uninstall unused applications or move files to an external drive.

Step 3. Ensure at least 10% free space on the drive.

#6. Temporarily Disable Secure Boot

Secure Boot ensures only trusted software runs at startup, but it can conflict with BitLocker. Reboot your computer and disable Secure Boot in BIOS as follows:

Step 1. Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI (press F2, Delete, or F10 during boot).

Step 2. Find Secure Boot under the Security tab and disable it.

Step 3. Save changes and attempt encryption again.

Re-enable Secure Boot after successful encryption.

Conclusion

BitLocker encryption errors are solvable with methodical troubleshooting. You can secure your data and avoid future issues by following these steps—from freeing disk space to updating firmware. Always back up critical data before attempting fixes, and don't hesitate to seek professional help for hardware-related problems.

FAQs of BitLocker Encryption Failed

1. What causes BitLocker issues?

The following reasons may lead to Bitlocker issues: Insufficient disk space, TPM misconfigurations or firmware issues, Secure Boot incompatibility, corrupted system files or disk errors, outdated drivers/BIOS, conflicts with third-party software, Group Policy restrictions, improper disk partitioning (such as missing boot partition or non-NTFS format), hardware encryption conflicts, interrupted encryption processes (power loss), or dual-boot configurations.

2. How to fix BitLocker could not encrypt one or more drives on this computer?

To fix the issue where BitLocker cannot encrypt one or more drives on your computer, follow these steps:

• Ensure that the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is enabled and properly configured in the BIOS settings.
• Run a disk check using chkdsk to identify and fix any errors on the drive.
• Ensure that your Windows version is up to date, as outdated versions can cause compatibility issues with BitLocker57.
• Check that BitLocker is properly configured and that the drive meets BitLocker's requirements for encryption. I
• Manually start the BitLocker drive encryption service if it is not running.
• Consider clearing the TPM to reset it to default settings. 

3. How can I solve the BitLocker encryption key cannot be obtained?

If you encountered the "BitLocker encryption key cannot be obtained" or "BitLocker could not be enabled. C was not encrypted" error, check the step-by-step guide below:

💡Extended Reading: Bitlocker Encryption Key Cannot Be Obtained? Fix It Here!