diff --git a/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-recovery-loop-break.md b/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-recovery-loop-break.md index c32392f01c..24346a5691 100644 --- a/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-recovery-loop-break.md +++ b/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-recovery-loop-break.md @@ -18,26 +18,33 @@ ms.date: 05/07/2019 # Breaking out of a Bitlocker recovery loop -Sometimes, when you attempt to perform a Bitlocker recovery, you can get stuck in a loop where you are repeatedly prompted to enter your recovery key. The key may be correct, yet you are unable to boot into your operating system, no matter what. +Sometimes, you can get stuck in a loop where you are repeatedly prompted to enter your Bitlocker recovery key. This can be very frustrating. -If you have entered your key several times and are unable to break out of the recovery loop by successfully booting into your operating system, try the following steps. +If you've entered the correct recovery key multiple times, follow these steps to break out of the loop. -## Alternate recovery steps +> [!NOTE] +> Only try these steps after you have restarted your device at least once. -Only try these steps after you have restarted your device at least once. +1. On the initial recovery screen, don't enter your recovery key. Instead, select **Skip this drive**. -1. On the initial recovery screen, do not enter your recovery key. Select **Skip this drive**. +![](placeholder-1.png) 2. On the next screen, select **Troubleshoot**. + +![](placeholder-2.png) 3. On the Troubleshoot screen, select **Advanced options**. +![](placeholder-3.png) + 4. On the Advanced options screen, select **Command prompt**. -5. At the WinRE command prompt, you need to manually run an unlock command with your recovery password: `manage-bde.exe -unlock C: -rp ` +![](placeholder-4.png) -6. After running this command, suspend operating system drive protection: `manage-bde.exe -protectors -disable C:` +5. From the WinRE command prompt, manually unlock your drive: `manage-bde.exe -unlock C: -rp ` -7. Once this is run, you can safely exit the command prompt and continue booting. +6. Next, suspend operating system drive protection: `manage-bde.exe -protectors -disable C:` -After you exit the command prompt in step 7, you will be able to boot into your operating system. \ No newline at end of file +7. Once the last command is run, you can safely exit the command prompt and continue booting. + +After you exit the command prompt in step 7, you will be able to successfully boot into your operating system. \ No newline at end of file