To pair AirPods with Windows 11, put the AirPods in their case, open the lid, and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes white. Then open Settings > Bluetooth & devices, select Add device, choose Bluetooth, and select your AirPods. Newer AirPods without a case button pair differently, as shown below.
How to Connect AirPods to Windows 11
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings and select Bluetooth & devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Select Add device.
- In the Add a device window, select Bluetooth.
- Put both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.
- Put them in pairing mode for your model (see the card below) until the status light flashes white.
- Select your AirPods when they appear in the list. Windows shows Your device is ready to go when pairing finishes.
- Select Done.
These are Apple’s steps from its guide to pairing with non-Apple devices: hold the setup button on AirPods 1, 2, 3, Pro 1, and Pro 2; double-tap the front of the open case on AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3; or hold the listening mode button on AirPods Max for about 5 seconds.
How to Reconnect AirPods Later
- Open the AirPods case near your PC.
- Select the Bluetooth quick setting on the taskbar, or open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Connect under your AirPods.
If they’re also paired with your iPhone, they may switch back to it automatically, so connect again from the PC when you need them.
If AirPods Are Connected but There’s No Sound
- Select the sound icon on the taskbar, then the arrow next to the volume slider, and choose your AirPods as the output. Pick the entry without “Hands-Free” in its name for music and video.
- Check Settings > System > Sound and confirm the AirPods are selected under Output.
- Remove the AirPods in Bluetooth & devices (three dots > Remove device) and pair them again.
- Update the Bluetooth driver: right-click Start, open Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click the adapter, and select Update driver.
Microsoft lists these fixes, plus the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Get Help, in Fix Bluetooth connected but no sound.
If Your AirPods Don’t Show Up or Keep Disconnecting
- Make sure the light is flashing white. If it isn’t, hold the button longer or double-tap again.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. If Bluetooth itself is missing, see how to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11.
- Keep the AirPods and case charged. A nearly empty case may not enter pairing mode.
- Turn off Bluetooth on a nearby iPhone or iPad while testing, since AirPods may jump back to it.
- In Device Manager, open your Bluetooth adapter’s Properties > Power Management and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
What Doesn’t Work on Windows
Windows treats AirPods like any Bluetooth headphones. Features that need an Apple device, such as automatic switching, spatial audio with head tracking, and battery levels in a pop-up, aren’t available. Apple also notes that Siri doesn’t work on non-Apple devices. Sound and the microphone work normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my AirPods mic sound bad on Windows?
When an app uses the microphone, Windows switches the AirPods to a hands-free mode with lower audio quality. That’s a Bluetooth limit, not a problem with your AirPods. A separate microphone keeps the AirPods in higher-quality stereo mode.
Can I check my AirPods battery on Windows 11?
Windows sometimes shows a battery level next to the AirPods in Bluetooth & devices, but it isn’t always accurate.
Do I need to unpair AirPods from my iPhone first?
No. AirPods can be paired with your iPhone and your PC at the same time. You just connect them to one device at a time.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.