BitLocker Error 0XC0210013: USB Key Not Found – Fix It

BitLocker can't find your USB startup key. You'll see this error at boot. We'll walk through checking the USB, re-adding the key, and getting back into Windows.

Quick Answer for Advanced Users

Plug the USB with the BitLocker startup key into a USB 2.0 port directly on the motherboard. If it still fails, boot from your Windows installation media, open Command Prompt, and use manage-bde -unlock C: -RecoveryPassword with your 48-digit recovery password.

Why This Happens

You're staring at a black screen with white text: STATUS_FVE_KEYFILE_NOT_FOUND (0XC0210013). It means Windows tried to unlock your BitLocker drive during boot, but it couldn't read the startup key from your USB stick. The key file just isn't there, or the USB isn't being recognized.

This usually happens after a BIOS update, a USB port change, or when you plug the USB into a different port than the one you used before. Sometimes the USB drive itself fails or gets corrupted. I've seen it happen after a power surge too.

The error is clear: BitLocker wants that USB key, and if it can't find it, you're locked out until you provide the key or the recovery password. Don't panic—there's a way in.

Fix Steps: Get Your USB Key Recognized

Check the USB drive physically. Pull it out, look at the connector. If it's dirty, wipe it with a dry cloth. Plug it back in. Make sure it clicks or fits snugly.
Try a different USB port. Use a port on the back of your PC, directly on the motherboard. Avoid front-panel ports or USB hubs. USB 2.0 ports (often black) are more reliable for boot than USB 3.0 (blue). After plugging in, restart your computer.
Verify the key file is on the USB. If you have another working computer, plug the USB in there. Open File Explorer and look for a file named BEK or something like {GUID}.BEK. It might be hidden—you need to enable “Hidden items” in View tab. If you don't see it, that's the problem: the key got deleted. If you do see it, the USB itself is fine, and the issue is with your PC's boot process.
Boot into BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your PC and press the key to enter setup—usually Del, F2, or F12. Look for boot order or USB configuration. Make sure USB is enabled and set to boot early. Save and exit. Then try booting again.
If it still fails, use the recovery password. You'll need a 48-digit numeric password. It was saved when you set up BitLocker—often in your Microsoft account, or printed, or saved as a text file. To get it, sign in to Microsoft's recovery key page with the Microsoft account you used on that PC. Or check your printed copy. Write it down.
Boot from Windows installation media. Use a USB or DVD with Windows 10/11 setup. Insert it, restart, and press any key to boot from it. Choose your language, then click “Repair your computer” at the bottom left.
Open Command Prompt. In the recovery environment, go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt. Type manage-bde -unlock C: -RecoveryPassword and hit Enter. It'll ask for the password. Type it without spaces. If it says “The volume cannot be unlocked”, try manage-bde -unlock D: -RecoveryPassword if your drive letter is different. Once unlocked, you can restart and Windows should boot normally.

Alternative Fixes If the Main One Fails

If you can't get the recovery password, or manage-bde won't work, here are other paths:

Disable BitLocker temporarily. From the Command Prompt, run manage-bde -protectors -disable C: to turn off protection for the next boot. Then restart. The drive won't be encrypted, but you'll get in. After booting, you can re-enable it with manage-bde -protectors -enable C:
Use a different USB drive. If the key file exists on another USB, copy it from a working PC to a new USB drive. Format the new USB as FAT32, then copy the BEK file. Plug that in and boot.
Reset the TPM. Sometimes the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) gets out of sync. In the Command Prompt, type tpm.msc and press Enter. It might not open in the recovery environment, so you'd have to do this after you get into Windows. But if you can't get in, skip this.

Prevention Tips

The real fix is to never rely on a single USB key. Here's what I tell my users:

Always have two copies of the startup key. Put the BEK file on a second USB drive and keep it in a safe place.
Save the recovery password offline. Print it and store it with your important documents. Don't just trust the cloud.
Label your USB drive. Write “BitLocker Key for [PC name]” on it with a marker. Sounds silly, but it saves confusion.
After any BIOS update, test the USB boot key immediately. That's when this error shows up most.

One more thing: if you're using a laptop, check if the USB port is enabled in BIOS. Some models disable USB ports during boot for security. Go into BIOS and look for “USB Legacy Support” or “USB Boot Support” and enable it.

Remember, the error 0XC0210013 is a lockout, not a dead end. With the recovery password, you're in. With a good USB key, you're in. Don't let it scare you.