Written by
Yuri ZhangSummary: This article deciphers the reasons behind BitLocker encryption being stuck in Windows and crystal-clear guidance to solve this time-consuming trouble. iBoysoft DiskGeeker also helps as a BitLocker counterpart.
Are you stuck with BitLocker encryption and can't seem to get past the "BitLocker Encryption Stuck" issue?
You're not alone. Many users face this frustrating problem, where their system gets stuck during the encryption or decryption process, leaving them unable to access important files or even boot their computer.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the potential causes and solutions for when BitLocker encryption gets stuck, allowing you to resume or complete the process effortlessly.
Why is BitLocker encryption stuck?
BitLocker encryption can be stalled for various reasons, including:
- Older systems or drives with slower read/write speeds can lead to long encryption times.
- Errors on the disk can cause the encryption process to fail or get delayed.
- Third-party security programs can sometimes interfere with BitLocker's operations.
- Low system resources (such as memory or CPU usage) can cause encryption to pause or hang.
- A software bug or system malfunction can sometimes halt encryption.
No matter the cause, there are steps you can take to resolve the issue. Share and continue reading.
Step-by-step guide to fix BitLocker encryption stuck issue
BitLocker is a powerful disk encryption feature in Windows that helps protect your data by encrypting the entire drive. However, like any software, BitLocker can occasionally run into issues. If you're facing a situation where BitLocker encryption is frozen or has stalled, don't worry. Take the following measures:
1. Wait for the process to complete
Before diving into troubleshooting, it's important to give BitLocker some time. The encryption process can take hours or even days on large drives or slower systems. You should ensure the system is still processing and check for disk activity. If the disk activity light is flashing, BitLocker is likely still working. Try not to interrupt the process, as doing so could cause corruption.
2. Restart the computer
Sometimes, a simple restart can help resume the encryption process. When you reboot, Windows may continue or prompt you to resume the encryption. You can click Restart to allow the system to boot up normally. If prompted, select the option to resume BitLocker encryption.
3. Check disk activity in Task Manager
You can confirm whether BitLocker is still running by checking your disk usage:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Navigate to the Performance tab.
- Select the Disk section to see if there's ongoing activity.
If the disk is actively being used, it's possible that BitLocker is still working but just taking longer than expected. If there is no activity, proceed to the next steps.
4. Use Command Prompt to check BitLocker status
If you're unsure of the current encryption status or if BitLocker is stuck, you can check its progress via the Command Prompt.
- Search for "cmd" in Windows and right-click to select Run as Administrator.
- Type the following command to check the encryption status:manage-bde -status
This will provide details on the current status of BitLocker encryption, including the progress of the process and any potential errors.
5. Resume BitLocker encryption using Command Prompt
If BitLocker seems stuck but still running, you can try manually resuming the encryption process:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Enter the following command (Replace C: with the appropriate drive letter if you are encrypting a different drive):manage-bde -resume C:
- Press Enter.
This command should instruct BitLocker to continue encrypting the drive.
6. Suspend and resume BitLocker encryption
If the process is still stuck, suspending and then resuming BitLocker encryption may help:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type the following command to suspend encryption:manage-bde -protectors -disable C:
- After a few minutes, re-enable BitLocker with this command:manage-bde -protectors -enable C:
This can sometimes resolve temporary glitches that might be halting the process.
7. Run Check Disk (CHKDSK)
Corrupt sectors or file system errors can cause the encryption process to fail. To fix this:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type the following command to check and repair errors on your disk (Replace g: with the appropriate drive letter):chkdsk g: /f /r
- Wait for the process to complete, and then attempt to resume BitLocker encryption again.
8. Disable antivirus or third-party security software
Some third-party antivirus or security software can interfere with BitLocker. If you have such software installed, try temporarily disabling it and then resuming the encryption process. Just make sure to re-enable your security software after the encryption process finishes.
9. Use BitLocker recovery key
If BitLocker refuses to unlock or continues to be stuck, you may need to use your BitLocker recovery key. This key is a 48-digit password that you were asked to save when you enabled BitLocker encryption.
To use the recovery key, restart your computer and wait for the BitLocker recovery screen to appear. Then enter the 48-digit recovery key. If you have the recovery key stored somewhere (e.g., printed on paper, saved on a USB drive), you can use it to unlock your drive.
10. Consider decrypting the drive
If nothing else works and you're unable to resume the encryption process, you may need to decrypt the drive entirely and try again later:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- To stop BitLocker encryption and begin decryption, type:manage-bde -off C:
The decryption process may take a while, depending on the size of the drive. Once decryption is complete, you can try re-enabling BitLocker.
11. Check event logs for errors
If the issue persists, checking your Event Viewer can provide more insight into what might be going wrong.
- Press Windows + X and select Event Viewer.
- Go to Windows Logs > System and look for BitLocker-related errors or warnings.
If all else fails and you're still unable to resolve the issue, reaching out to Microsoft Support may be necessary, especially if you're working with a critical machine.
The stuck issue can be annoying, it's reasonable to turn into DiskGeeker's bosom, please share.
Switch to use iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows
In Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 Home Edition and Windows 7 Professional Edition, iBoysoft Diskgeeker for Windows offers you an alternative when there's no BitLocker in your Windows version or when you think BitLocker is too complicated. It's handy to use and manage BitLocker once and for all.
Step 1: Download and launch the iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.
Step 2: Click the "Click to encrypt" button next to the partition from the BitLocker module.
Step 3: Enter a password, re-enter it, and click "Next" to proceed.
Remember to backup and keep well of your recovery key, because if you lose the password and the recovery key, you then cannot open the BitLocker-encrypted partition.
Step 4: Click "Start encrypting" to confirm your encryption action.
Isn't this easy enough to encrypt your essential data while maintaining high security?
Conclusion
BitLocker encryption provides essential protection for your data, but issues like the encryption process becoming stuck can occasionally arise. Remember, the key is to be patient and methodical—sometimes, simply giving the system more time or restarting the process can resolve the issue. If necessary, more advanced steps like using the Command Prompt, running a disk check, or disabling conflicting software can help.
If you encounter any roadblocks, you can also contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. The bottom line is that iBoysoft DiskGeeker ushers in the feasibility of using BitLocker straightforwardly and seamlessly. You can choose to use it in the first place without considering the extra issue.
Also read How to Clone a BitLocker-Encrypted Drive and How to Resolve BitLocker Access Denied Issues
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