#Cannot find bitlocker recovery key

Faith Hunter 0 Reputation points
2026-08-10T19:59:29.6133333+00:00

Computer updated and is requesting BitLocker key. This Key is not available on my microsoft account. Please help! I have followed all instructions without resolution! I would like to talk to someone by phone

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Recovery and backup
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  1. Kai-H 26,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-11T09:11:51.4233333+00:00

    Hi, Faith Hunter

    A Windows or firmware update can change the TPM, Secure Boot, or startup configuration that BitLocker checks. Restoring the previous startup configuration may allow the TPM to unlock the drive again, but it will not help if the recovery key itself is truly unavailable.

    Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try: 

    Shut down the computer completely. Disconnect USB drives, SD cards, docking stations, and external hard drives, then restart it.

    If you are comfortable entering BIOS/UEFI, check whether TPM (sometimes called Intel PTT or AMD fTPM) and Secure Boot are enabled, the boot mode is UEFI, and Windows Boot Manager is first in the boot order. If the update included BIOS or firmware, contact the computer manufacturer for the correct settings for that specific model. Firmware support is provided by the device manufacturer.

    Do not clear the TPM, reset Secure Boot keys, or make random BIOS changes, as this can make recovery more difficult.

    To request live assistance, open Contact Microsoft Support, describe the issue, select Get Help, then Contact Support. Depending on your location and availability, chat or a callback option may be offered.

    Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment."    

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-10T19:59:44.86+00:00

    If the recovery key is not showing in the Microsoft account, the supported places to check are limited:

    1. On the BitLocker recovery screen, note the first 8 digits of the recovery key ID.
    2. Check the Microsoft account recovery key page from another device: https://aka.ms/myrecoverykey.
    3. If the PC was ever connected to a work or school account, check the work or school recovery key page: https://aka.ms/aadrecoverykey, then go to Devices > select the device > View BitLocker Keys.
    4. Check whether the key was saved elsewhere when BitLocker was turned on:
      • a printed copy
      • a USB flash drive
    5. If the device is managed by an organization, contact that organization’s IT support.

    Important facts for this situation:

    • Microsoft Support cannot retrieve, provide, or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key.
    • If the device was set up by someone else, the key might be stored in that person’s Microsoft account.
    • Starting in Windows 11, version 24H2, the recovery screen can show a hint for the Microsoft account associated with the key.

    If this is a work or school device enrolled in Intune, the recovery key might also be available in the Company Portal website:

    1. Sign in to the Company Portal website.
    2. Go to Devices.
    3. Select the locked PC.
    4. Select Get recovery key > Show recovery key.

    If no recovery key can be found, the remaining recovery option is to reset the device using Windows recovery options. Warning: resetting removes all files.

    A phone-based recovery path to obtain the missing key is not available in the documented guidance.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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