What does HRESULT 0x8031003A (FVE_E_INVALID_PROTECTOR_TYPE) mean?

 
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FVE_E_NOT_DECRYPTED FVE_E_NO_PROTECTORS_TO_TEST

FVE_E_INVALID_PROTECTOR_TYPE

Protector type and operation must agree

A BitLocker key protector is a method used to release the volume encryption key, such as TPM, TPM plus PIN, startup key, recovery password, password, certificate, or Network Unlock. FVE_E_INVALID_PROTECTOR_TYPE means the caller supplied a real protector identifier or category, but that category cannot participate in the requested operation or on that volume type.

This is not the same as a missing protector. A protector may exist and still be unusable for a command intended for another authentication method. For example, commands that change a PIN or password require a matching existing protector, while backup and deletion operations may require the exact protector ID.

What to inspect

  • List protectors with manage-bde -protectors -get and record both type and GUID.
  • Confirm whether the target is an operating-system, fixed-data, or removable-data volume.
  • Check the exact API or command operation rather than substituting a generic protector type.
  • Do not delete working recovery protectors while testing a replacement; verify recovery material first.

References


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