Windows
BitLocker recovery prompt prevents Windows startup
The laptop stopped at the BitLocker recovery prompt and could not start Windows. The technician retrieved the recovery key from Intune and sent it securely by encrypted email so the user could continue booting.
Killed 8 times by someone from XL.net, most recently on 2026-09-15.
Affects
Versions
- Windows
Hardware
- Laptop
What you see
- Startup screen asks for the BitLocker recovery key before Windows loads
- The workstation cannot continue booting until the recovery key is entered
Why it happens
Suspected The underlying trigger for BitLocker recovery was not established in the ticket; only the need for the recovery key was confirmed.
When it shows up
A Windows laptop boots to a BitLocker recovery key prompt and the user cannot get into Windows.
You are in this case if:
- BitLocker recovery key prompt appears during startup
- The device will not proceed to Windows until the recovery key is entered
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
The steps are behind a quick check
There are two ways in and both take a few seconds. Signing in opens the steps on every bug page; so does reading the picture.
Or answer this
Drawing a picture for you.
Can't read it? Sign in instead.
Someone from XL.net killed this on a Windows computer on 2025-11-24. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.