How to Fix [BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled] Error

What is BitLocker encryption?

BitLocker has protected our critical files and sensitive data for more than fifteen years, beginning with Windows Vista. Although it has undergone substantial development since 2006, this drive encryption service is not flawless. Users frequently encounter errors with the tool.

BitLocker and TPM frequently collaborate to secure users' computers to the fullest extent. It is necessary to partition your hard drive into at least two drives to enable BitLocker on your PC. The boot drive, which contains the operating system and its support files, and the system drive, which contains the files necessary to load Windows after the firmware has prepared the system hardware, are the two drives.

If your drive can’t satisfy the requirements, one of those annoying errors indicates that "BitLocker could not be enabled." "C was not encrypted."

In addition to the aforementioned restriction, you must also meet the following criteria:

1. The encryption of the system drive is prohibited.
2. The system drive must be a minimum of 350 MB in size.
3. The partition that is encrypted cannot be designated as an active partition.

Overview of “BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled” error

There are certain people who, when they attempt to enable BitLocker, are met with the error message "BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled." When the error materializes, a window displaying an error message is displayed. The error messages that individuals receive, on the other hand, may vary from one another because the specific trigger elements that contribute to this issue on their own computers are unique to each individual. The following are two examples of typical error messages:

Error 1: 

Error 2: 

Solutions for the “BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled” error

For Error 1

Method 1. Check Your PC’s Configuration and Update BIOS

Following the occurrence of the "BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled" problem, it is highly recommended that you first verify the configuration of your computer. Here is a list of the things that you need to validate:

Examine the system drive to see if it is encrypted.

Verify that your disk has been partitioned into at least two drives before proceeding.

Determine whether the size of your system drive is at least 350 megabytes.

To determine whether or not your partition that is being encrypted is designated as an active partition, check.

In the event that the system disk is encrypted, you will first need to decrypt it.

Method 2. Enable the BitLocker Services

Some people report that enabling the BitLocker services helps them fix the “BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled” error successfully. You can also have a try. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run window.

Step 2. Type “services.msc” in the box and press Enter.

Step 3. Scroll down to find the BitLocker Drive Encryption Service entry. Then right-click it and select Properties.

Step 4. Set the Startup type to Automatic, click Start, and then click Apply and OK to save changes.

Step 5. Check if the error has been fixed.

Method 3. Convert disk partition scheme into GPT

TPM 2.0 is not supported in the Legacy and CSM modes of the BIOS. To make the TPM 2.0 work well, you need to set the BIOS mode to native UEFI only, disable Legacy and CSM options, and enable the secure boot feature for adding security. To complete that, you can try converting your partition to GPT and then setting the BIOS mode to native UEFI only.

It is widely recognized that the built-in Command Prompt and Disk Management in Windows can only convert MBR to GPT if all partitions on the target disk are deleted. Consequently, all data contained within will be lost.

Employing a third-party MBR to GPT converter, such as AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, is the optimal approach. It can facilitate the conversion of both the system disk and data disk from MBR to GPT without causing any data loss or eliminating any drives.

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Step 1. Install it, and launch the program. In the main window, you should right-click on the disk that you want to convert and choose the "Convert to MBR" option.

Step 2. Click "OK" to continue.

Step 3. Click "Apply" to perform the pending operations.

To boot the PC successfully after the system/boot disk has been converted from MBR to GPT, please switch boot mode from Legacy BIOS to UEFI mode. You may need to check your PC (or motherboards) manual in order to find specific instructions on how to change the settings.

If your Windows cannot boot up as normal, or you need to convert MBR to GPT/GPT to MBR during the Windows 10 installation, you can first create a Windows PE bootable Media via AOMEI Partition Assistant on another working computer, then load your computer from the bootable USB and do as above to convert disk between MBR and GPT without operating system.

Method 4. Reinstall TPM Drivers

If you encounter the “BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled” error on your PC, you can also try reinstalling TPM drivers to fix this error. Here’s the guide:

Press the Windows and X keys simultaneously, and then select Device Manager from the menu.

Extend the Security devices category, right-click the driver, and select Uninstall device from the menu.

Next, click the Uninstall button in the Uninstall Device

Once done, reboot your computer and check if the error has been resolved.

For Error 2

Fix 1. Extend system partition size

The "BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled" error may be resolved by lowering the existing partition in order to construct a new data partition. If your disk is composed of a single drive, you may try to remedy the error by shrinking the existing partition. On the other hand, in order to enable BitLocker on the C drive, it is recommended that Windows be reinstalled and the partitions be reallocated.

It is possible to expand a system disk that is smaller than 350 megabytes in size with the assistance of the allocate free space feature that is included in AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

Fix 2. Update your BIOS

If your BIOS has not been updated in a considerable amount of time, it is possible that it will not support more recent versions of BitLocker. There is also the possibility of encountering the error message "BitLocker Could Not Be Enabled" in this circumstance. As a result, you might try to fix this error by updating the BIOS on your computer.

Step 1. Find the BIOS version/date using System Information. Open the System Information program using the keyboard shortcut Windows + R. Enter msinfo32, then click OK.

Step 2. The BIOS version and motherboard model information will appear, as seen below.

Updating BIOS usually varies depending on the company that made your computer and which BIOS version you have installed, so you might have to do some searching before you find the correct link.

If you're using a custom-built computer, look up the manufacturer of the specific motherboard you have. Usually a quick Google search of the “[manufacturer]” + “BIOS” or “UEFI" + "update" will do the trick.

To sum up

BitLocker has grown and changed over the years to become a great disk security tool. It does, however, still have problems. A lot of the time, users get errors like "BitLocker could not be enabled." "Message C wasn't encrypted" and others like it, for which there are two situations. To fix the BitLocker problem you can either change the BitLocker service, turn it off and on again, or reinstall the TPM drivers. You can also change the disk to GPT, but this method may cause you to lose data. For another situation, you can fix the problem by checking how your computer is set up and making sure your USB flash drive works right. You could also update the BIOS, but this could cause you to lose files.