Share this article

Improve this guide

Fix: BitLocker Password Prompt Screen Problem on Windows 10

Regain access to your PC

9 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

One of the best ways to protect your data is toencryptit, and many users useBitLocker. You may, however, run into problems with the Bitlocker password prompt screen.

Even though BitLocker is a great feature, we have had a few users who have reported issues.

We will explore some causes and recommend our top solutions to this problem.

Why does the BitLocker screen appear?

BitLocker is a security feature thatencrypts the data on the hard driveand requires a password or a smart card to unlock it. The Bitlocker screen may appear for the following reasons:

BitLocker is a great feature if you want to encrypt your hard drive and protect it, but sometimes issues can occur. Speaking of issues, here are some common problems that users reported:

How do I get past the BitLocker password prompt screen?

1. Enter your PIN blindly

Users reported that instead of BitLocker prompt screen, they are getting a solidblue screenwith no input field to enter their PIN. This can be a bit daunting, but you should know that you can still enter your PIN on the solid screen even if you don’t see the password field.

Enter your PIN blindly, and you should log in to Windows 10 without problems.

2. Remove the problematic update and reinstall it

After removing the update, you need to suspend BitLocker temporarily.

After suspending BitLocker protection, you need to reinstall the update. First, go to the Windows Update section in the Settings app and check for updates to download the missing update automatically. After reinstalling the update, the issue should be resolved, and you can turn on BitLocker protection.

3. Use Command Prompt

After you execute the command, the issue with the BitLocker password prompt screen should be fixed completely.

4. Use legacy boot

After enabling legacy boot, your boot screen might not look as pretty, but you should have no problems with the BitLocker password screen.

Windows 10 uses a new graphical boot menu, and sometimes that boot menu can lead to specific issues, such as problems with BitLocker password prompt screen. However, according to users, if you switch back to legacy boot, there are no problems with the BitLocker password screen.

5. Disable the Fast Startup feature

Afterward, go to BIOS and look for the Fast Startup option there. After you disable Fast Startup in BIOS and Windows, the problem should be resolved entirely.

Fast Startupcan be pretty valuable since it will allow your PC to boot faster, but this feature can sometimes cause problems with BitLocker password prompt screen despite its usefulness. Users recommend disabling Fast Startup on their PC andBIOSto fix this issue.

6. Update your BIOS

If you’re having Bitlocker password prompt screen problems, the problem might be your BIOS. Several users reported fixing this issue simply by updating their BIOS to the latest version.

We also wrote a short guide on how toflash your BIOS, so you might want to check it out for some general instructions. Once you update BIOS, disable BitLocker and enable it again, and the issue will be resolved.

7. Use a Command Prompt outside of Windows 10

After executing all commands, close Command Prompt, restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.

Alternatively, you can use the following commands:

Remember that these commands might not fix the problem but will allow you to reaccess Windows 10.

According to users, if you have problems with BitLocker password prompt screen, you might be able to fix it simply by running a couple of commands outside of Windows. This is pretty simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

8. Disable Secure Boot

If you’re having problems with BitLocker password prompt screen, you might be able to fix the issue by disabling theSecure Bootfeature in BIOS.

To see how to access BIOS and disable this feature, we strongly advise you to check your motherboard or laptop manual for detailed instructions.

9. Run a bcedit command

After running this command, your PC won’t shut down during the password prompt screen.

According to users, their PC shuts down on BitLocker password prompt screen. This is somewhat normal and automatic, but you can fix the issue by running a single command.

10. Remove the hard drive and decrypt it on another PC

According to users, they fixed issues with BitLocker password prompt screen on their PC by removing their hard drive and decrypting it on another PC. To do that, you must turn off your PC, disconnect it from the power outlet, open the case, and remove your hard drive carefully.

Now connect your hard drive to a different PC and decrypt it. Once that is finished, insert the hard drive back into your PC. If everything works properly, it’s advised to update your system before you encrypt the hard drive again.

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded in the background and installed as soon as you restart your PC. Once your system is updated, you encrypt your hard drive again.

BitLocker is one of the simplest ways to encrypt and protect yourhard drive, and if you’re having problems with BitLocker password prompt screen, be sure to try some of our solutions.

Fix: BitLocker Password Prompt Screen Problem on Windows 10#

Why does the BitLocker screen appear?#

How do I get past the BitLocker password prompt screen?#

1. Enter your PIN blindly#

2. Remove the problematic update and reinstall it#

3. Use Command Prompt#

4. Use legacy boot#

5. Disable the Fast Startup feature#

6. Update your BIOS#

7. Use a Command Prompt outside of Windows 10#

8. Disable Secure Boot#

9. Run a bcedit command#

10. Remove the hard drive and decrypt it on another PC#