I've been having some frustrating experiences with my Dell OptiPlex Micro 7010 computers. Recently, they started going to BitLocker recovery screens more often, especially during power outages or disruptions, which seems excessive. Additionally, I've noticed that there are issues with keyboard and mouse input when on the recovery screen, making it impossible to enter the recovery key. This is a new development affecting all our 7010s. I've done BIOS updates on some of these systems, but the keyboard and mouse problems persist.
2 Answers
It sounds like the power outages could be messing with the CMOS battery. Have you checked if the BIOS time is correct when you manage to access it? Even though these machines are relatively new, power issues combined with BitLocker can often indicate a dying CMOS battery, leading to time and TPM resets.
I had a similar issue with a different Optiplex model. One possible fix is related to the xHCI controller not initializing properly under Fast Boot before the devices are polled at the POST. Disabling Fast Boot might help you get both the keyboard and mouse working again when entering the recovery key. Also, ensure you're using the front USB ports, as some rear ports might not be active during preboot.
I did try disabling Fast Boot already. It was such a hassle; I spent hours troubleshooting one computer. I ended up taking the SSD out and unlocking it on a different PC because nothing else would work. Even with a different Dell laptop at home, I've noticed more BitLocker recovery screens than usual.