Bitlocker Recovery Message With Thunderbolt Controller

Issue Details

• I have a laptop connected to a PXIe Thunderbolt Controller. Whenever I boot-up the laptop, I see a message prompting me to "Enter the recovery key for this drive". How can I fix this?
• I am using a PXIe-8301 controller connected to a PC over Thunderbolt. Every time I power on the PC, I see the following Bitlocker recovery message. Occasionally, booting up results in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). 

Solution

This problem can occur on PCs with Thunderbolt ports when Bitlocker detects a new device in the boot list. Bitlocker will request a recovery key for security reasons. The steps below detail a list of settings that can be changed to workaround this issue:

• Disable Bitlocker on the Windows PC.
  • Instructions can be found in [External] How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows.
• Locate the user manual for your PC and disable the following BIOS settings if applicable:
  • USB Type-C Boot or Thunderbolt 3 Boot.
  • USB Type-C Pre-boot or Thunderbolt 3 (and PCIe behind TBT) Pre-boot.
  • UEFI Network Stack.
  • Thunderbolt Security.
  • Note: If using a Dell Latitude laptop, refer to [External] BitLocker Asks for a Recovery Key Every Boot on USB-C/Thunderbolt Computers When Docked or Undocked.

If BSOD messages relating to internal power or hardware errors occur, try the following additional steps:

1. Check the PC's BIOS settings for Block Sleep. Enable this option if it is currently disabled.
2. Disable Active State Power Management in Windows (Note: Block Sleep must be enabled before completing this step):
   1. Open Windows Settings and navigate to System >> Power & sleep.
   2. Select Additional power settings.
   3. In the Power Options window, select Change plan settings.
   4. In the Edit Plan Settings window, click Change advanced power settings.
   5. Scroll down to PCI Express and expand it.
   6. Expand Link State Power Management and change On battery and Plugged in to Off, as shown below.

3. If the problem persists, refer to the section titled Symptom 1: Computer does not boot or hangs when PXI(e) chassis is connected to PCI(e) MXI card
Computer gets consistent Blue Screens of Death (BSoD) in MXI-Express Compatibility and Connectivity Troubleshooting Guide.