Solved: Powering Off While BitLocker Continues

User case: My PC powering off while BitLocker continues

"Recently I encrypted my main Windows drive with Bitlocker (no TPM, just password), but during the boot prompt to 'enter your Bitlocker password' the computer will shut down at a seemingly random time. As in, the computer starts up, I get prompted to enter in my password, after a few seconds (or sometimes a minute or so) it just shuts down as if someone had pulled the cord out of the back.

Has anyone had this problem before or know how to fix it? And on a side note, anyone know of a good, preferably open-source disk encryption software for Windows 10 with GPT? Thanks!"

---From superuser forum

BitLocker is a full disk encryption feature included with Windows operating systems. It encrypts the entire drive, making the data inaccessible without the proper key. This encryption process is seamless but requires uninterrupted power to complete.

If your device powers off during BitLocker encryption, the process is interrupted. This interruption can cause various issues including incomplete encryption, data corruption, and potential system instability. These risks highlight the importance of maintaining a stable power supply during the encryption process.

Why is the PC powering off while BitLocker continues?

The issue of a PC powering off while BitLocker is in use could be due to several reasons, including hardware failures, software glitches, or compatibility issues. Here are extended descriptions of some potential reasons:

✦ Hardware failure: The most common culprits are the power supply unit (PSU), RAM, or the motherboard itself. If the PSU is failing, it might not provide enough consistent power, causing the system to shut down. Similarly, faulty RAM can cause the system to crash.

✦ Overheating: If the CPU or GPU overheats, it can cause the system to shut down to prevent damage. This can happen if there's insufficient cooling or if air vents are blocked.

✦ BitLocker compatibility issue: While rare, there might be specific scenarios where BitLocker doesn't play well with certain hardware configurations or software setups.

✦ Disk errors: If the disk itself has errors, especially if it's an SSD, it can cause the system to crash during heavy read/write operations, which BitLocker decryption might trigger.

✦ Malware: It's unlikely but possible that malware could cause system instability, especially if it's designed to disrupt system processes.

Remember, always make sure you have backups of your important data (cloning disk is worth trying) before performing any significant changes or checks, especially those involving hardware manipulation or system updates.

How to fix PC powering off while BitLocker continues in Windows 11/10

The issue of a PC powering off while BitLocker is in use can be a complex problem to diagnose and resolve. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix the issue:

Solution 1. Check for overheating

Overheating can cause your computer to shut down to prevent damage. Make sure all fans are clean and working, and that the computer has adequate ventilation.

Step 1. Open your computer case and clean out dust with compressed air.

Step 2. Verify that fans are spinning correctly.

Step 3. Consider reapplying thermal paste on the CPU if it's an older system or you've never done it before.

Solution 2. Update drivers and Windows

Outdated or incompatible drivers can sometimes cause crashes.

Step 1. Right-click on Start, search "Device Manager" and open it.

Step 2. Under Disk drives, find the external hard drive that cannot be detected by Windows 11.

Step 3. Right-click and select "Update Driver".

Or, you can select “Uninstall device” to reinstall the driver.

Solution 3. Check disk for errors

If the disk itself has errors, it can cause the system to crash during read/write operations.

Step 1. First of all, you should open Command Prompt by pressing Win+R, inputting "cmd" in the elevated Run dialogue and pressing on Enter.

Step 2. Then, type the command (“chkdsk g: /f”) and press Enter to start the error checking and fixing process for your corrupted drive.

Solution 4. Disable fast startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause issues with system loading.

Step 1. Commence by pressing the Windows key + R to initiate the Run dialog. Within this dialog, input "powercfg.cpl" and then press Enter.

Step 2. The ensuing Power Options window beckons your attention. In this interface, proceed to select "Choose what the power buttons do".

Step 3. Within the array of options presented, locate and uncheck the checkbox labeled "Turn on fast startup (recommended)".

By systematically going through these steps, you should be able to identify and hopefully resolve the issue with your PC shutting down while BitLocker is in use.

A reliable way to avoid powering off while BitLocker continues

To avoid powering off while using BitLocker, it’s highly recommended to resort to a third-party Windows BitLocker tool called AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. It is a powerful disk management tool for all editions of Windows 11/10/8/7. The “BitLocker” feature of this tool can help Windows users encrypt and decrypt all kinds of drives easily. The whole process can be carried on in a safe way. If you are Windows Home users, you can upgrade to the Professional edition to enjoy the encryption function.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "BitLocker". Or, right-click the partition you want to encrypt and click the "BitLocker"->"Turn on BitLocker" option in the Context Menu.

Step 2. All drives on the system will be displayed, including operating system drives, fixed data drives, and removable drives. Please find the partition you would like to encrypt BitLocker and click the "Turn on BitLocker" option. (Here, we take the drive D: as an example.)

Step 3. Please set and confirm a password to encrypt the drive and click "Next".

Step 4. Select a way to back up your recovery key. You can either select "Save to a file" or "Print the recovery key". If you select "Save to a file", please choose a location on your PC to save the recovery key.

Then, please click the "Next" button to start the encryption process.

Step 5. The encryption process might take time to encrypt the drive. Before the process is finished, please do not terminate the program, remove the drive, or turn off the power.

Conclusion

BitLocker is an excellent tool for data encryption, but it requires careful handling to avoid issues. Powering off while BitLocker continues can lead to serious problems, but by following the methods above and understanding how to use AOMEI Partition Assistant effectively, you can minimize the risk of powering off to ensure your data remains safe and secure.