How to Fix BitLocker Drive is Not Accessible & Access Is Denied?

Updated by

Sherly 

Updated on Nov 18, 2024

When dealing with encrypted drives, encountering accessibility issues can be frustrating and confusing. Many users cannot access their drives, often receiving an error message that leaves them searching for answers. This problem may arise for various reasons, ranging from driving corruption to changing system settings. Additionally, unexpected power failures or hardware malfunctions can contribute to this dilemma, compounding the urgency for a solution.

Various effective strategies are there to resolve these issues. In this guide, EaseUS will explore the best techniques to fix the "BitLocker drive is not accessible". Read on to solve the accessibility problems associated with encrypted drives, ensuring you can access your files when you need them the most.

How to Fix BitLocker Drive is not Accessible [3 Top Ways]

While facing this issue may seem worrying because of the data stored, multiple quick solutions are available. They are designed to guide you through the troubleshooting process to restore your access to the drive. Below are the top three strategies to empower you to resolve the "BitLocker drive is not accessible" problem.

Fix 1. Turn off Bitlocker and Reopen It

The most straightforward way to fix this dilemma will be to disable this tool and reactivate it. This process can help reset the encryption status and resolve any temporary glitches preventing access.

It can also refresh the system's recognition of the drive, providing a clean slate for encryption management. The following are detailed instructions on how to fix the "BitLocker drive is not accessible" issue.

Step 1. Utilize the Start Menu to launch Settings and search for "Manage BitLocker" using the search bar on your PC. After accessing "Manage BitLocker," move to the encrypted drive and click "Turn Off BitLocker" after expanding it.

Step 2. Next, confirm the action by tapping "Turn Off BitLocker" again and reboot your system to let the changes take effect. Afterward, move to the "Manage BitLocker" tab from Settings and select the drive to encrypt it via the "Turn On BitLocker" option.

This way can help many people solve their problems.  Don't hesitate to share this information with others. Click the buttons below to share it on your social media.

Fix 2. Automatically Start Up BitLocker Drive Encryption

One reason why you might be in this situation is that a bug or update has modified the settings for the tool's start-up type. Hence, an effective solution to this will be to ensure that BitLocker Drive Encryption is set to start automatically.

This fix enhances the security of your sensitive information and eliminates the need for manual activation. These are the steps for activating automatic start-up for BitLocker Drive Encryption:

Step 1. You can begin by launching the Run function via the "Win + R" keys and entering "services.msc" before executing it via "OK." Once in the services panel, look for "BitLocker Drive Encryption Service" and double-click it to access its properties.

Step 2. Within the properties window, move to the "General" tab and set the "Start Up" option to "Automatic" before clicking "OK". Afterward, opt for the "Restart this service" option and reboot your computer to complete the operation.

Fix 3. Use EaseUS Partition Master

Formatting your encrypted drive might be the only resort left if previous solutions have not resolved the "BitLocker drive is not accessible" error. The recommended option is to employ EaseUS Partition Master Professional, a powerful partition management software that can format drives that are inaccessible due to encryption problems. Remember that it will erase all data stored on that partition, making this solution suitable for users who have backed up their data.

The tool provides a straightforward way to regain access to your drive by removing the BitLocker encryption. Besides, this process will allow you to reformat the drive and create a new file system, giving you a clean slate with which to work. In the following steps, we'll guide you through the process of using this program to format your BitLocker drive safely and efficiently:

Here are the detailed instructions:

Step 1. Run EaseUS Partition Master, right-click the hard drive partition you intend to format and choose "Format".

Step 2. In the new window, set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size for the partition to be formatted, then click "OK".

Step 3. Then you will see a warning window, click "Yes" in it to continue.

Step 4. Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button to review the changes, then click "Apply" to start formatting the partition on your hard drive.

EaseUS Partition Master Manages BitLocker Partition

EaseUS Partition Master is a versatile tool designed to help users manage their disk partitions efficiently, including those encrypted with BitLocker. Given below are the comprehensive ways you can manage the encrypted drives with this advanced software:

• Format BitLocker Encrypted Drive

This feature is especially useful when users need to erase all data on an encrypted drive, allowing for a fresh start. This tool provides a fully secure way to format the partition to minimize any negative effects. By doing this, you can remove the BitLocker encryption and create a new file system to make the drive accessible again.

• Clone BitLocker Partition

The cloning feature allows users to create an exact copy of all their data stored on this drive. It can be incredibly helpful for backup purposes or upgrading to a larger drive. 

• Unlock BitLocker Partition

This tool will empower users to unlock Bitlocker without the recovery key and password.

Conclusion

In summary, we explored several effective solutions for resolving the "BitLocker drive is not accessible" issue. These methods include general solutions like turning off and re-enabling BitLocker and configuring automatic start-up. When dealing with complex reasons, use EaseUS Partition Master for advanced partition management. This advanced software is handy when you are dealing with temporary glitches or need to format the drive entirely.

Moreover, these fixes offer practical steps to regain access to your encrypted data, and feel free to share this guide with others if they help. Sharing this knowledge could help others facing similar problems navigate the complexities of managing their encrypted drives.

FAQs About BitLocker Drive Access Denied Error

It is difficult to comprehend the "BitLocker drive is not accessible" problem. To further assist with common concerns related to this issue, below are answers to some common queries:

1. Is there a way to unlock a BitLocker drive?

Multiple ways are available to access your encrypted data, from using the encryption password to employing the 48-digit recovery key. Additionally, you can unlock the drive through your Microsoft account if the recovery key is linked to it. Moreover, tools like Command Prompt and BitLocker Management settings can help in some cases.

2. What to do if the BitLocker key is not available?

Your options become limited when you can't locate the recovery sequence. In such a situation, ensure that the recovery key was saved to your USB drive or Microsoft account or printed out and stored physically. If you fail to recover the 48-digit recovery key, you will need to format the drive via tools like EaseUS Partition Master.

3. Why is BitLocker not available?

It can happen for several reasons, ranging from an unsupported OS or hardware to problems with the relevant services. BitLocker is not available for Windows Home Edition and requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Lastly, navigate to the settings related to BitLocker services and ensure that you haven't unintentionally disabled them.