Unable to Access Windows Recovery Options Due to Incorrect Password Loop After System Crash

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Unable to Access Windows Recovery Options Due to Incorrect Password Loop After System Crash

Naman Khanna 0

I got a secondhand PC and did a complete reset. After two months, my Windows got stuck on a black loading screen, and I wasn’t able to reach the login screen. I ran Advanced Startup and tried to start the repair process; however, it kept asking me to log in to my account. After several attempts, it kept saying the password was incorrect. I tried every password—local and Microsoft—but it still wouldn’t log in. I also tried resetting the PC, but it kept asking for a password during every step. Please help—I don’t want to clean the PC, as I have very important files on it.

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Answer 1

Harold Milan 11,905 Independent Advisor

Hi,

Your PC is stuck because Windows requires account verification during repair or reset, and the password prompt is failing because the system is still tied to previous credentials or encryption like BitLocker. This is a security measure, not a bug, to prevent unauthorized access after a reset.

Fix options without losing files:

Boot into Advanced Startup > Command Prompt and create a new local admin account:

net user NewAdmin /add

net localgroup administrators NewAdmin /add

Restart and log in with the new account.

If BitLocker is enabled, you’ll need the BitLocker recovery key.

If nothing works, remove the drive and connect it to another PC to back up your files before a clean install.

This happens because the reset didn’t fully remove old account links or encryption, so Windows enforces credential checks for security. Let me know how it goes, Happy to help!

Naman Khanna 0 Reputation points

2025-12-09T19:21:10.22+00:00

I can't enter the prompt as well, as it also asks to log in.
Harold Milan 11,905 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-09T19:27:12.4166667+00:00

If you can’t access Command Prompt because it also asks for a password, that means Windows is enforcing account verification for all recovery tools likely due to BitLocker or secure sign-in policies. Unfortunately, without credentials or a recovery key, the system won’t allow repairs or resets.

Here’s what you can do:

Check for BitLocker recovery key

If BitLocker is enabled, you need the recovery key stored in your Microsoft account (https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey) or printed/saved when encryption was set up.

Remove the drive and back up files

Connect the drive to another PC using a USB-to-SATA adapter or external enclosure. This lets you copy your important files before reinstalling Windows.

Clean install after backup

Once files are safe, perform a fresh Windows install using a bootable USB from Microsoft’s download page.

If you can’t retrieve the BitLocker key and password verification keeps failing, the only way to avoid data loss is to physically remove the drive and back up your files on another PC before reinstalling Windows. Let me know how it goes, I’m Here to help!
Naman Khanna 0 Reputation points

2025-12-09T19:36:04.56+00:00

You don't have any BitLocker recovery keys uploaded to your Microsoft account. I think I should give up :(
Harold Milan 11,905 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-09T20:21:56.2633333+00:00

There is an option i know, it might work If you’re unable to access Windows recovery options and need to back up your files before reinstalling Windows, one approach is to use a bootable environment. While Microsoft recommends using official recovery tools first, some users choose to create a Linux Live USB (such as Ubuntu) to access their files.

The general steps are:

Download a Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu) from its official site.

Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB on another PC.

Boot your affected PC from the USB and access your Windows drive to copy files to an external storage device.

After securing your data, you can proceed with a clean Windows installation using Microsoft’s installation media.

Note: This method is outside Microsoft’s official support scope, so proceed carefully and ensure you download from trusted sources.

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Unable to Access Windows Recovery Options Due to Incorrect Password Loop After System Crash

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