Why do you encounter that BitLocker parameter is incorrect Windows 10/11 while opening a BitLocker HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card or other storage devices on your computer? Read this post for 5 effective fixes and get the easiest BitLocker drive management tool.
I have one data drive that is Bitlocker protected and it has always worked fine. Now it seems to unlock. But when I try to access the drive, I get "The parameter is incorrect". What parameter is the incorrect meaning? I am running Windows 10 Pro 1607 14393.105. Does anyone have any suggestions before I pull out the drive and try it in another machine?"
- Question from Windows Ten Forum
Most computer users may find the error message "x drive is not accessible, the parameter is incorrect" puzzling. BitLocker parameter is incorrect Windows 10 error can be encountered when you are trying to access a BitLocker-protected drive. It indicates a problem with the input or settings provided for a specific command or operation. This error usually means that the program or system encountered an invalid or unrecognized parameter.
The news hints at several potential reasons:
◕ Corrupted file system: When the file system on a drive is corrupted or damaged, Windows may not recognize it, resulting in an incorrect parameter error.
◕ Outdated software or drives: If the operating system or drivers are outdated, compatibility issues may arise and this error may be triggered when accessing the BitLocker drive.
◕ USB connection failure: A loose or faulty USB connection between the device and the computer may cause this error message to appear when trying to access the drive.
◕ Hardware issues: Physical damage or failure within the hard drive or storage device can also cause this error.
When encountering the BitLocker error the parameter is incorrect, the BitLocker drive cannot be accessed, thereby limiting data reading and writing capabilities. To restore availability, it is imperative to resolve this error. These strategies are designed to restore normal functionality and prevent this error from recurring on the hard drive. Let’s dig into these solutions.
Scanning the problematic BitLocker drive using Windows' built-in utility may resolve the issue.
Step 1: Open File Explorer, right-click on the affected drive and select "Properties".
Step 2: Navigate to the "Tools" tab and click the "Check" button.
Step 3: Click "Scan and repair drive" to continue.
To correct errors on a BitLocker drive, use the CHKDSK command to scan for and fix logical errors:
Step 1: Type "cmd" in the search box and right-click Windows Command Prompt to select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Type "chkdsk g: /f /r /x". Then press "Enter" key. (Note: Replace "g" with the exact drive letter.)
CHKDSK will scan for errors and bad sectors, which may take several minutes depending on drive size and file count. After scanning, CHKDSK will report any problems detected.
Resolve BitLocker parameter is incorrect Windows 10 errors by using System File Checker (SFC) to scan bad sectors and repair corrupted system files:
Step 1: Open Windows Command Prompt.
Step 2: Type "SFC /scannow". Then press "Enter" key.
Step 3: Exit the command prompt after the scan is complete.
Step 4: Restart the system and reconnect the device to check the resolution.
Incorrect date and time settings in Windows systems may also trigger the incorrect parameter error. Verifying and adjusting the decimal point sign, specifically setting it to ".", can potentially resolve errors with incorrect device parameters. Here is the step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Navigate to "Settings" > "Time & Language" > "Region & Language" one by one.
Step 2: Select the "Additional date, time, & regional settings" option.
Step 3: Click "Change date, time, or number formats" under the "Region" section.
Step 4: Access Additional settings, change the decimal symbol to "." (dot), and confirm the change.
Step 5: Restart Windows and try to access the drive.
In case the options above don't work, you may need to forcibly break it by reformating the drive. Make sure you have already backed up the BitLocker drive before formatting as this process removes metadata and makes file recovery impossible.
Step 1: Enter "Disk Management" in the search bar and select "Create and format hard drive partition".
Step 2: Right-click on the desired drive and select "Format".
Step 3: Configure settings (volume label, allocation unit size, file system) as needed.
After reformatting, the drive is ready for use.
The task of managing BitLocker encryption is often challenging, especially for users who are unfamiliar with specific computer operations or who are limited by Windows 10/11 Home editions. Thankfully, there is a user-friendly alternative that simplifies encryption tasks on all Windows systems, including Windows 10/11 Home Edition: AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.
Standout features include: ✤ Supports almost all editions of Windows 11/10/8/7 systems, including Windows 11/10 Home Edition, catering to home edition users. ✤ Comprehensive features such as recovery key backup, password changes, drive lock/unlock, and turning off/on BitLocker are accessible through a unified interface. ✤ Tailored for users of varying proficiency levels, especially beginners, ensuring a worry-free experience. ✤ Adhere to Microsoft BitLocker's strict security standards with the AES encryption algorithm.
Let's have a look at how to manage BitLocker with PA easily:
1. Turn on/off BitLocker
Users who want to enable or disable BitLocker can locate the target drive and simply click "Turn on BitLocker" or "Turn off BitLocker" in the program to start the process. Either a password or recovery key is acceptable.
2. Back up Recovery Key
You must have a backup copy of the BitLocker recovery key. Finding the recovery key back is sort of complex and time-consuming once you forget or lose it. So you can use PA to back up the key by saving it to a file or printing it.
3. Change Password
It is necessary to regularly change your Bitlocker password for data security. PA helps you change the password via the current password or recovery key.
4. Lock/Unlock the Drive
Lock the drive to prevent access to all encrypted data on a volume that uses BitLocker encryption. Unlock the drive with a password or recovery key to regain access to your protected data.
AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional simplifies BitLocker management, providing an easy-to-access solution that is especially beneficial for Windows 10/11 home users. Consider downloading it to explore its features!
In conclusion, this article focuses on solving the BitLocker parameter is incorrect Windows 10/11 error. It provides 5 simple yet effective methods with detailed instructions. Follow this passage and you can get rid of this daunting issue easily.
To simplify BitLocker management, consider taking advantage of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. This versatile tool combines BitLocker functionality into an intuitive interface for easy management.
Furthermore, in addition to BitLocker encryption, AOMEI Partition Assistant also includes various features such as resizing encrypted partitions without losing data, converting to GPT and rebuilding MBR to repair boot failure out of corrupted MBR, resetting Windows password with ease, and extending C drive to solve the C drive full problem. Windows servers can choose the Server Edition.
