If the Surface device disappears from the Microsoft account device list, the BitLocker recovery key may still be available separately. Check the recovery key directly at https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey and also check any work or school account that may have been used with the device.
For Surface devices, the device can be registered manually by serial number:
- Go to
https://account.microsoft.com/devicesand sign in. - Select Register device.
- Enter the Surface device serial number.
If the device still appears and disappears, there is a reported issue where devices that are correctly linked do not consistently show in the Microsoft account device list.
If the laptop is currently at a BitLocker recovery screen:
- Enter the 48-digit BitLocker recovery key. Hyphens are optional.
- If the correct key is accepted, Windows should start.
- If the problem started after a Surface UEFI or TPM firmware update and the device keeps prompting for the key, boots into UEFI, or loops restarting, use the recovery key and a Surface recovery image to boot to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
- Run:
manage-bde -unlock -recoverypassword <password> C:
manage-bde -protectors -disable C:
This disables BitLocker protectors on the boot drive so the device can boot again. This reduces protection on the device, so BitLocker should be re-enabled afterward from Start > Manage BitLocker.
If the recovery key cannot be found, Microsoft Support cannot retrieve, provide, or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key.
References:
- Manage devices used with your Microsoft account
- Missing Devices - Microsoft Q&A My Computer Is "NOT" shown on the Devices Tab in my Microsoft Account Page.
- registered device not showing up in Microsoft "device" section - Microsoft Q&A Just got my surface laptop 13 recently , and I replace it with a bigger ssd , since after the new ssd install with surface recovery image, I not able to see my device showing up in my Microsoft account.
- Windows devices for home users, businesses, and schools with Microsoft-managed updates
- Prompted for BitLocker recovery key after installing updates to Surface UEFI or TPM firmware on Surface device