How to Connect AirPods to Windows 11

This guide shows you how to pair your AirPods (any generation, including AirPods Pro and Max) with a Windows 11 PC or laptop, so you can use them for calls, meetings, music, and video. You only need your AirPods and a Windows 11 device with Bluetooth enabled—no extra software or drivers required.

What You’ll Need

• Your AirPods (in their charging case, with some battery)
• A Windows 11 computer with Bluetooth capability (most laptops and many desktops have it built-in)

Step-by-Step

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your Windows 11 PC. Click the Start button (Windows icon) and open Settings (the gear icon). Go to Bluetooth & devices and toggle Bluetooth to On. Alternatively, click the network/volume/battery icons in the taskbar (bottom-right) and click the Bluetooth icon to enable it quickly.
2. Put your AirPods in pairing mode. Place your AirPods in their charging case and keep the lid open. Locate the small button on the back of the case (for AirPods and AirPods Pro) or the noise-control button on the right ear cup (for AirPods Max). Press and hold that button until the status light on the front of the case (or on the ear cup) flashes white. This usually takes about 5–10 seconds.
3. Open the Bluetooth settings on your PC. In the Bluetooth & devices page, click Add device (or the plus sign next to “Add device�).
4. Select Bluetooth. In the pop-up window, choose Bluetooth (not “Wireless display or dock�). Windows will start scanning for nearby devices.
5. Choose your AirPods from the list. After a few seconds, your AirPods should appear—usually as “AirPods� or “AirPods Pro� (sometimes with your name, e.g., “John’s AirPods�). Click on them.
6. Wait for pairing to complete. Windows will show a “Connecting� message, then “Done� when successful. Your AirPods should now appear under Audio in the Bluetooth & devices page.
7. Set them as the default audio device (if needed). Click the speaker icon in the taskbar (bottom-right), then click the arrow next to the volume slider. Select your AirPods from the list of output devices. They will now play sound from your PC.

Common Mistakes

• Not putting AirPods in pairing mode. If you just open the case without holding the button, the AirPods may not be discoverable by Windows. Always hold the button until the light flashes white.
• AirPods already connected to an iPhone. If your AirPods are still connected to your iPhone or iPad, they may not appear in Windows. Turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone, or disconnect them from the iPhone’s Bluetooth settings before trying to pair with Windows.
• Clicking the wrong device type. When adding a device, make sure you choose Bluetooth, not “Wireless display or dock.â€�
• Forgetting to select the AirPods as the output device. Even after pairing, Windows may keep using your speakers. Use the volume icon to switch the output to your AirPods.

Tips

• Use the “Audioâ€� toggle for calls: If your AirPods are used for both audio and microphone, Windows may show them as two devices: “AirPodsâ€� (stereo) and “AirPods Hands-Freeâ€� (mono, for calls). For music, choose the stereo one; for calls, choose the hands-free one.
• Reconnect automatically: Once paired, your AirPods should automatically reconnect when you turn them on (open the case or put them in your ears) and Bluetooth is enabled on your PC. If not, click on them in the Bluetooth & devices list and choose Connect.
• Check battery level: Windows 11 shows the battery level for connected Bluetooth devices. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and click on your AirPods to see the battery percentage.
• Keep firmware updated: AirPods firmware updates are usually pushed through an iPhone, but you can also update them by connecting to a Windows PC? Actually, no—firmware updates only come via iOS or iPadOS. If you have an iPhone, keep it paired occasionally to receive updates.

Troubleshooting

AirPods not showing up in the list:

• Make sure the AirPods are in pairing mode (light flashing white).
• Move the AirPods close to your PC (within a few feet) and away from other Bluetooth devices.
• Restart your PC and try again.
• On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices, click the three-dot menu next to any existing AirPods entries, and choose Remove device if you’ve paired before, then re-pair.

AirPods connect but no sound:

• Check the volume on your PC and in the app you’re using.
• Make sure the AirPods are selected as the output device (click the speaker icon in the taskbar).
• If you see two AirPods entries, try the other one (one is for stereo audio, the other for hands-free calls).
• Unpair and re-pair: remove the device from Windows, then repeat the pairing steps.

Microphone not working:

• In Windows, go to Settings > System > Sound, under Input, select your AirPods (the hands-free entry) as the default microphone.
• Make sure your AirPods are properly seated in your ears (the mic is on the stem or ear cup).
• Check app permissions: some apps (like Teams or Zoom) have their own microphone settings—ensure they use the correct device.

AirPods keep disconnecting:

• Keep the AirPods within 30 feet of your PC, with no thick walls or metal objects between them.
• Turn off Bluetooth on other devices that might be interfering.
• Update your Windows Bluetooth driver: go to Device Manager (right-click Start), expand Bluetooth, right-click your Bluetooth adapter, and choose Update driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC without an iPhone?
Yes, AirPods work as standard Bluetooth headphones with any Bluetooth-capable device, including Windows 11. You don’t need an iPhone for pairing.

Why do my AirPods show up twice in Windows?
Windows creates two profiles: one for high-quality stereo audio (A2DP) and one for hands-free calls (HFP) with a lower-quality mono mic. This is normal and allows you to choose which mode to use.

Do AirPods work with Windows 11 for calls?
Yes, but you must select the “Hands-Free� profile for the microphone to work. Note that audio quality may drop in this mode.

Can I use AirPods with Windows 11 if they are connected to my iPhone?
No, AirPods can only be connected to one device at a time (unless you use iCloud switching, which doesn’t work with Windows). Disconnect them from your iPhone first.

How do I update AirPods firmware on Windows?
You can’t. AirPods firmware updates are only delivered through iOS or iPadOS. If you have an iPhone, keep it paired occasionally to receive updates.

Why is the sound quality poor when using the microphone?
When using the hands-free profile, Bluetooth bandwidth is shared between audio and mic, so sound quality drops. For best audio, use the stereo profile (without the mic) for music and videos.

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