BitLocker Prompting for Recovery Key after Motherboard Replacement

After your Dell computer's motherboard has been replaced, Windows is asking you to enter a BitLocker recovery key when you start your computer. You can't get past this screen to access your files and programs.

This happens because BitLocker is a security feature that protects your data by "locking" it to your specific hardware. When the motherboard is replaced, BitLocker detects that your computer's hardware has changed and asks for the recovery key to make sure an authorized person is accessing the data.

This is normal security behavior and doesn't mean anything is wrong with your computer.

Follow these steps to get back into your computer and prevent this from happening again.

Step 1: Enter your BitLocker recovery key

1. At the blue BitLocker screen, enter your 48-digit recovery key.
   • Where to find your recovery key: Check your Microsoft account online, a USB drive you saved it to, a printout you may have stored, or your company's IT department if this is a work computer.
   • Don't have your recovery key? See our guide on how to get your BitLocker recovery key.
2. Press Enter to sign in to Windows.

Step 2: Turn off BitLocker temporarily

1. Select Start > Settings.
2. Select Privacy & security > Device encryption.
3. Select BitLocker drive encryption.
4. Next to your system drive (usually C:), select Turn off BitLocker.
5. Select Turn off BitLocker again to confirm.
6. Wait for BitLocker to finish decrypting your drive. This may take several minutes.

Step 3: Enable TPM in your computer's BIOS

Your computer has a security chip called TPM (Trusted Platform Module) that works with BitLocker. After a motherboard replacement, this needs to be turned on.

1. Restart your computer.
2. When the Dell logo appears, press F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS setup.
3. Find the TPM or Security settings:
   • Look for Security > TPM Security or TPM 2.0 Security.
   • The exact location depends on your computer model.
4. Set TPM to Enabled or On.
5. If you see an option to Activate or Clear TPM, select Activate.
6. Save changes and exit.
7. Your computer will restart.

Step 4: Turn BitLocker back on

1. Sign in to Windows (you may be asked for your recovery key one more time).
2. Select Start > Settings.
3. Select Privacy & security > Device encryption.
4. Select BitLocker drive encryption.
5. Next to your system drive, select Turn on BitLocker.
6. Follow the prompts to save your new recovery key in a safe place.
7. Complete the BitLocker setup.

Your computer is now protected again, and you shouldn't see the recovery key prompt unless there's another hardware change.

Preventing this issue before motherboard replacement

If you know your motherboard will be replaced and your computer still turns on, you can avoid this issue:

1. Save your recovery key before the repair. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Device encryption > BitLocker drive encryption and back up your key.
2. Turn off BitLocker before the repair using the steps in Step 2 above. You can turn it back on after your computer is repaired.