ASK: BitLocker Awaiting Activation

@media(min-width:0px){}If you see the message BitLocker Waiting for Activation in Control Panel or when you hover over the BitLocker caution icon in File Explorer, follow the steps given below to fix it.

Why does BitLocker show the message Waiting for Activation?

When you see the BitLocker Waiting for Activation error message, it means BitLocker is in suspended state. In this state, drive fully encrypted but the recovery key is stored in plain text. That means anyone can view and access the BitLocker recovery key which in turn helps them decrypt the BitLocker drive.

@media(min-width:0px){}BitLocker Waiting for Activation error message

So, to fix the problem, all you have to do is create a Keyguard for the encrypted drive. Once you do, the BitLocker Waiting for Activation error message will disappear. As complicated as it sounds, all you have to do is turn BitLocker off and on on the drive. When you do this, BitLocker will create a new keyguard and clear the Waiting for Activation error message.

Fix BitLocker Waiting for Activation

Follow the steps below to fix the BitLocker Waiting for Activation error message in Windows:

First, press the button Start on your keyboard, search for Control Panel, and click the relevant result to open Control Panel. Alternatively, you can also run the “control panel” run command by pressing Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.

Once the Control Panel is open, click on the drop-down icon next to “View by“and select an option”Big icon“. After that, click on options BitLocker Drive Encryption. This page is where you can manage BitLocker settings for all [email protected](min-width:0px){}

Now, look for the drive that displays the message “BitLocker Waiting for Activation“and click” Disable the BitLocker option“. When prompted for a password, type it and press the Enter key.

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This action will get rid of the BitLocker Waiting for Activation error message.

Optional steps:

If you want to encrypt the drive, follow the steps below.

Once the drive is decrypted, click on the “Enable BitLocker” option.

Next, select the “Use password to unlock drive” checkbox, type in the password of your choice, and click the “Next” button.

Now, select the “Save to your Microsoft account” option and click on the “Next” button. If you don’t use a Microsoft login or don’t want to save to your Microsoft account, you can select the “Save to file” or “Save to USB flash drive” option.

Select the “Encrypt using disk space only radio option” option and hit the “Next” button.

Select the “New encryption mode” option and hit “Next”.

Finally, hit the “Start encrypting” button.

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Related BitLocker guide articles:

There he is. It’s that simple to fix the BitLocker Waiting for Activation error in Windows.

I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helps you.

If you get stuck or need help, send me an email, and I’ll try to help as much as I can.