How to get your Bitlocker Recovery Key and regain access to your computer

Overview

Bitlocker is used to protect Windows hard drives from unauthorized access. When you plug in a new device to your computer (a USB device, a second hard drive, etc) Bitlocker may block access to your system as a protective action.

In order to get back into your computer when BitLocker locks your screen you need to use the recovery key. Even without plugging in a new device a BitLocker lockout can occur. Regaining access is easy with the recovery key. For MHC-owned computers, LITS can provide the key.  

Once recovered you will be able to use your computer but you will be asked for the recovery key every time you reboot. To avoid the computer ask asking for the recovery key at every restart, you should suspend and then resume BitLocker following the instructions below.

Steps

How to suspend BitLocker

  1. When you are logged into your computer, hook up the USB or external devices you intend to use in the ports that you'd prefer (sometimes the same device in different USB ports can cause Bitlocker to lock up)
  2. Next go to the Windows Start Menu and search "Bitlocker"
  3. Select manage Bitlocker and choose the option to suspend Bitlocker
  4. Restart the computer
  5. The computer will reboot and Bitlocker will be suspended

Next you will resume BitLocker.

Resume BitLocker

  1. Go to the Windows Start Menu and search "Bitlocker"
  2. Select manage Bitlocker and then resume Bitlocker
  3. Restart the computer
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