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August 20th, 2021 06:00

XPS 13 9360, Asks for BitLocker after Update

Summary:

Hello, I’m running into BitLocker issues and need help coming up with a different solution to try before I consider completely resetting the PC and losing all my files.

 

Background:

I turned on my personal laptop (Dell XPS 13 9360) and get the BitLocker blue screen. I’m assuming it’s due to the recent Dell update since I didn’t do anything dramatic the day before.

The current error message says “BitLocker needs your recovery key to unlock your drive because Secure Boot policy has unexpectedly changed”.

On the next screen, I do have a “Recovery Key ID (to identify your key)” and FWIW the drive label states “DESKTOP-#######”.

 

I have also poured through forums and tried most everything.

 

What I’ve Tried:

No, I don’t have a 48-digit BitLocker recovery key.

I’ve never set one up, never saved it somewhere or on a USB drive, nor printed it out.

 

No, I didn’t find the recovery key after attempting to follow Microsoft’s published instructions - logged onto my Microsoft and Azure accounts but i receive “you don't have any BitLocker recovery keys uploaded to your Microsoft account.” FWIW, my device is listed there.

 

BIOS Screen:

I initially attempted to Restore Settings and tried all four options: BIOS Defaults, Factory Settings, Last Known Good Settings, and Custom User Settings. None worked.

 

I’ve also attempted the following steps (with no luck) -

  1. General > Boot Sequence > UEFI > Apply
  2. Security > TPM 2.0 Security > Enable > Apply
  3. Secure Boot > Secure Boot Enable > Enable > Apply

I’ve tried disabling above, restarting, then enabling, restarting and it does not help.

 

Command Prompt:

Below are the details if I go into the command prompt and type manage-bde -status c:

 

Size: Unknown GB

BitLocker Version: 2.0

Conversion Status: Unknown

% Encrypted: Unknown %

Encryption Method: XTS-AES 128

Protection Status: Unknown

Lock Status: Locked

ID Field: Unknown

Automatic Unlock: Disabled

Key Protectors:

TPM

Numerical Password

 

manage-bde -protectors -disable c:

I realize it shouldn’t work, but wanted to try and it says cannot be performed because volume is locked

 

Dell-specific Options:

I’ve tried the following screens / steps -

 

Reset this PC > Keep my files > Cloud download

Error message = “Unable to download. Use local reinstall”

 

Reset this PC > Keep my files > Local reinstall

Error = Brings me back to previous page

 

Advanced Options > Startup Repair

Error = “Startup Repair couldn’t repair your PC”

 

Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates > Uninstall Latest Quality Update

Error = Brings me back to previous page

 

Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates > Uninstall Latest Feature Update

Error = “Ran into a problem and won’t be able to uninstall latest feature update of Windows”

 

Advanced Options > Startup Settings

Error = “Must enter recovery key to access”

 

Advanced Options > System Restore

Error = no restore points created on computer

 

Advanced Options > System Image Recovery

Error = no system image found on computer

 

Factory Image Restore > SupportAssist OS Recovery

 

Repair > Requires BitLocker recovery key

 

Recover > Requires BitLocker recovery key

 

Scan Hardware > Battery an issue was detected

 

Message states, “We detected an issue with your battery. Try removing anything that might obstruct or clog vents. If that doesn’t work, update your computer BIOS, restart your computer and run the hardware scan again.”

 

I’ve cleaned my battery charger. Battery is @ 100% and also unplugged, replugged from overnight. I run the BIOS updates and scans again. Same message.

 

Any advice on next steps? Buy a new battery charging cord? Or actually crack open the laptop back cover to remove the battery, clean it, and put it back in? 

Thanks ahead of time!

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14 Posts

September 10th, 2021 07:00

Thanks for the feedback so far. Not sure if @theacura @GuntherPelgrims check these posts anymore. But I'm still running into issues and not sure if you know off hand from my below description. Otherwise, no worries and I'll continue to search other forums.

Before switching SDDs, I downgraded all the way down to 2.5.1.

After I insert the new SDD, I get the following error "no bootable devices found". On my USB stick, I have both previous BIOS files and the Windows 10 update (downloaded from here: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/osiso/recoverytool/wt64a). Not sure if having all files on the same USB stick would be an issue?

I also search the BIOS screen and notice the new SDD does not appear (it's not recognized under System Information).

I'm currently searching other forums because this sounds like a different issue altogether than the original BitLocker issue.

I have "successfully" put my old SDD back in and received the same BitLocker prompts I'm trying to resolve. So at least I'm not worse? Lol

Thanks again to this community. At this point, I'm holding out hope it's just a setting somewhere I have enabled/disabled which prevents me from progressing forward with this latest solution.

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16 Posts

September 11th, 2021 06:00

@x60643 You don’t currently have a bootable device because you need to install Windows on your new SDD. I forgot to mention that I was unable to install a fresh copy of windows 10 using the Dell OS recovery tool. 

Google “Windows 10 usb install” and go to the Microsoft page to download the Windows 10 Home edition install from your USB. It will format anything on your USB so save anything you need elsewhere. Once installed, it will boot into a fresh copy of windows on your new SDD.

After that, install all of the windows update once you are back into windows on your new SDD. Once all updates have been installed, put back your old SDD.

 

Hope this helps and got my fingers crossed for you!

 

10 Posts

September 13th, 2021 01:00

Great to see at least some hope here. My new hard disk has just arrived.

@isama @GuntherPelgrims @theacura :

When reinstalling Windows on the new disk, have you specified anything about Bitlocker? Did you have to connect to any Microsoft account? 
Did you disable UEFI capsule firmware updates in BIOS?

12 Posts

September 13th, 2021 10:00

Hi @fabian.b 

I didn't start it yet (disc not arrived) but theoretically first 2 options absolutely irrelevant, new windows goal is just to bring correct BIOS update.

Third one is important - for some guys ,when "UEFI capsule firmware updates" is not disabled- it automatically updating BIOS to 2.16 before start and  "bitlocker recovery mode" remains active.

 

10 Posts

September 13th, 2021 14:00

Thank you!

An additional question: did you also install optional windows updates?

10 Posts

September 14th, 2021 03:00

It worked!

Thank you @GuntherPelgrims for providing the solution!

Btw. For me, system stayed at BIOS 2.5.1 and there was no upgrade.

10 Posts

September 14th, 2021 04:00

And a maybe very important hint for the still desperate ones:

After recovery, I chased my Bitlocker key and found it:
I have an account at Microsoft just for accessing Sharepoint and few other tools, but with a custom email address. With this email address, I could not login to the pages Microsoft was hinting (e.g. onedrive.com/recoverykey or account.microsoft.com (Microsoft account does not exist)

BUT

I can login to:
myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list  
--> my bitlocker key is stored there!
So, try the last URL with your email addresses (also if not belonging to microsoft, in my case it was with posteo.de)  and you might be lucky even without ordering a new SSD!

10 Posts

September 14th, 2021 05:00

@nomad 

I had UEFI capsule firmware updates deactivated. I used MS Media Creation Tool. 

Why are you manually installing 2.10? Have you tried replacing disk before when it was still at 2.5.1?

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19 Posts

September 14th, 2021 05:00

I'm still struggling to conquer it.

Attempt#1&2

  • Downgraded BIOS to 2.5.1;
  • Tried to install both images created by Dell OS Recovery Tool/MS Media Creation Tool; Installed all Windows updates along with BIOS 2.10. Windows Update indicates that the system is up date date;
  • Put the old disk back, unfortunately BitLocker key prompt is still there;

Attempt#3&4

  • Downgraded BIOS to 2.5.1;
  • Prior OS installation checked option - UEFI capsule firmware updates;
  • Installed both images created by Dell OS Recovery Tool/MS Media Creation Tool. Installed all Windows updates without Firmware (due above statement); Windows Update indicates that the system is up date date;
  • Manually installed 2.10 using USB drive via F12 Menu;
  • Put the old disk back, unfortunately BitLocker key prompt is still there;

@GuntherPelgrims @theacura @Crasher9998 @fabian.b 4 persons confirmed that above workarounds have worked for them. You guys have succeeded and I'm wondering what I do differently so I could not?!

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19 Posts

September 14th, 2021 06:00

@x60643 It seems what working for others, is not working out for us. Is your laptop still under Dell warranty, if yes, have you tried to contact Dell?

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19 Posts

September 14th, 2021 06:00

@x60643 

I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I'm losing hope since all workarounds listed in this thread have not worked for me and there is no option rather than doing clean installation.

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14 Posts

September 14th, 2021 06:00

No, no longer under warranty. Yes, I've contacted Dell but the folks I talked to were nowhere as supportive or knowledgeable than the folks on this thread. I paid for the support appointment (since I'm not under warranty). After the call, they ended up reimbursing me the charges since they couldn't resolve it.

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14 Posts

September 14th, 2021 06:00

@nomad I’m still having issues as well. Will try to document what I did, but not sure where to properly get the Windows updates. System started to do automatic updates once I installed the new SDD and W10. Ended up going to the Dell site and downloading all except the latest BIOS. Switched SDD and still get asked for BL.

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19 Posts

September 14th, 2021 06:00

@fabian.b I quickly made fresh installation on 2.5.1 with deactivated UEFI capsule firmware updates. Put the old disk back, still no lack. However, I haven't installed Windows updates yet.

Did you install all Windows updates prior putting the old disk? I thought it is a mandatory part of the game as we needed BIOS from Microsoft. If your old disk booted without installing updates on the new disk, this workaround is not working in my case.

12 Posts

September 14th, 2021 07:00

Unfortunately myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list  couldn't help sometime (for me):

"You can't sign in here with a personal account. Use your work or school account instead."

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