What is BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP-2?
BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP is a high-severity storage drive (SSD/HDD) problem. The computer asks for the 48-digit BitLocker key every time it is restarted, even if the password is not changed. Work through the steps below in order.
Common Causes
- Hardware change (RAM, GPU, SSD) triggered TPM verification
- The BIOS update changed the PCR values of TPM
- Enabled Secure Boot has been disabled or changed
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
-
1
Enter the recovery key from your Microsoft account (account.microsoft.com/devices)
Enter the recovery key from your Microsoft account (account.microsoft.com/devices) resolves the majority of BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP cases on its own, making it the logical starting point.
-
2
After logging in, temporarily disable BitLocker and reactivate
If the problem isn't fully resolved yet, the remaining steps rule out the less frequent storage instability triggers.
-
3
Make sure the BIOS Boot mode (UEFI/CSM) is left unchanged
"Make sure the BIOS Boot mode (UEFI/CSM) is left unchanged" targets the BIOS update changed the PCR values of TPM, one of the documented causes of BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP-2.
Commands & Diagnostics
manage-bde -status
manage-bde -protectors -get C:
Frequently Asked Questions
The leading cause of BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP-2 is hardware change (RAM, GPU, SSD) triggered TPM verification, though the BIOS update changed the PCR values of TPM and enabled Secure Boot has been disabled or changed also show up in our reports.
Most BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP-2 reports resolve after "Enter the recovery key from your Microsoft account (account.microsoft.com/devices)". The rest of the guide above is there for the cases that don't.
Rated high severity — BITLOCKER-RECOVERY-LOOP-2 isn't immediately destructive, but recurring instances are a sign to fix it sooner rather than later.
You shouldn't need to. Work through the guide above first — a reinstall is only worth considering if none of those steps help.
Open CrystalDiskInfo (free tool) to check your drive's S.M.A.R.T. status. Any yellow or red indicators — especially reallocated sectors or pending sectors — confirm the drive is degrading and should be backed up and replaced immediately.
Still Need Help?
Search our full database of 535+ documented PC errors for more solutions and step-by-step repair guides.
Search Error Database