How to connect AirPods to your laptop
Listen to podcasts on your iPhone or watch the latest episode of your streaming passion on your iPad without disturbing anyone else in the room when you link your AirPods to your Apple device in a seamless manner. However, you are not restricted to using only products created by Apple; because to the capabilities of Bluetooth, AirPods may connect to both Android devices and your personal computer.
According to Chloe Albanesius on PCMag.com, here is how to connect Apple’s true wireless earbuds to PCs and Macs. Whether you need to drown out your co-workers or make that Zoom call private, you can do so by following these instructions.
How to connect AirPods to a Windows PC
SEE ALSO: The new AirPods Pro have an outdated appearance but a modern sound
Instructions on how to connect AirPods to a computer running Windows
Because the AirPods communicate with your Windows laptop using Bluetooth, you need to ensure that the Bluetooth feature is activated. Navigate to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and if it is not already turned on, activate Bluetooth by toggling the switch to the “on” position. Additionally, you can access it from the taskbar, and Windows 11 comes equipped with a Quick Settings option specifically for Bluetooth.
How to Connect AirPods to Your Windows PC the Right Way
We walk you through the most efficient procedures for connecting your AirPods to a computer running Windows.
The Apple AirPods are designed to be compatible with all of Apple’s other products. However, this is not the case when you attempt to connect your AirPods to a device running Windows, such as a laptop or desktop computer.
The difficulty is that Windows has continually dominated Apple’s macOS, and it is expected to acquire about 75 percent of the global market share for desktop operating systems between 2013 and 2021. Does this mean that 75 percent of all PC users throughout the world won’t be able to take advantage of AirPods’ features?
Not at all, thank goodness! We are here to demonstrate some clever workarounds that will enable you to connect your AirPods to a Windows-based personal computer or laptop and allow these two ostensibly “incompatible” products to function together. Let’s plunge in!
How to Connect Your AirPods to a Windows PC
Even though connecting AirPods or AirPods Pro to a Windows PC needs a few more steps (in comparison to attaching them to your other iOS devices that are compatible), the process is still very straightforward.
The good news is that, just like any other true wireless earphones, AirPods use Bluetooth. This means that they can connect to other devices, including those that are not made by Apple, as long as those other devices have a Bluetooth module. This includes the PlayStation, Xbox, and Android platforms.
However, before we get into the specifics of how to connect AirPods to a Windows computer, it is important to point out that not all Windows computers have Bluetooth capabilities. This is especially true for desktop PCs that are custom-built.
You can determine whether or not your computer has Bluetooth by right-clicking on the Start button, going to the Device Manager menu option, and checking to see if there is an item for Bluetooth. Under the heading “Network Connections,” you should see an option to connect via Bluetooth there. If this is not the case, it indicates that your device does not have Bluetooth capabilities integrated into it.
Check out our in-depth tutorial on how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your computer if your computer doesn’t already have Bluetooth built in.
After ensuring that your computer is equipped with Bluetooth and the most recent driver, you can follow these steps to connect your AirPods or AirPods Pro to a computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11:
Place your AirPods in the charging case in order to check the remaining battery life on them. When the status light turns orange or green, it indicates that there is still some juice left in the device. The status light can be found either on the exterior of the case (AirPods 3rd generation and Pro) or on the interior of the case, in the gap between the earbuds (AirPods 1st & 2nd gen).
- Putting the AirPods back into the carrying case
- While holding down the setup button located on the rear of the enclosure, wait for the status light to begin blinking first orange, then white. This demonstrates that they are in the process of partnering up.
- Turn on the pairing mode for the AirPods.
- To access the Settings menu on your personal computer, open the Windows Start menu located in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Going into the Settings menu in Windows
- After that, click the Devices tab.
- Choosing the ‘Devices’ icon from the menu
- Make sure that the Bluetooth feature is turned on by selecting the Bluetooth and other devices option located in the sidebar on the left. Then, at the top of the tab that says “Add Bluetooth or other devices,” click on the + sign that is located there.
- Integrating Bluetooth-enabled gadgets
- Following this link will take you to the tab labelled Add a device. It will display a list of Bluetooth devices that are in the vicinity of the computer.
- tab labelled “Add a device”
- Choose your AirPods from the list to begin the process of pairing them with your computer.
- Choose your AirPods from the list that appears.
- When you have finished, click the Done button, and you will see a confirmation message that your AirPods have been linked successfully.
- bringing the link full circle
- After that, you are free to take your AirPods from their carrying case and put them to any purpose you see fit.
- Keep in mind that it is possible that some aspects of the AirPods will not operate properly if you use them with a Microsoft laptop or a Windows PC. This consists of features like as automatic in-ear identification, quick pairing, gesture customisation, battery status display, and Siri.
Are you interested in getting the most out of your AirPods? Check out our compiled list of useful tips and methods for using AirPods to make your life less difficult.
How to Disconnect Your AirPods From Your Windows PC
After you have finished using your AirPods, you may quickly detach them from other devices, just like you would do with any other Bluetooth device. The following steps will detach your AirPods from a computer running Windows:
- After returning to the Settings page via the Windows start menu, select the ‘Devices’ option from the drop-down menu.
- Choose the option that says Bluetooth and other devices. You can locate the name of your AirPods on the right side of the screen, under Audio.
- You may find your AirPods under the selection for audio devices.
- You may find your AirPods under the selection for audio devices.
- Click the Remove device button after selecting the AirPods to remove them.
- Choose the “Remove device” option from the menu.
- Click the Yes button to remove the device after you have confirmed your selection.
Confirmation that the gadget was removed
What to Do When Your AirPods Won’t Connect to PC
Even when paired with iPhones or other Apple products, the AirPods still do not offer a flawless listening experience. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that there will be some difficulties with the connection when you use them with a computer running Windows.
However, there’s no need to worry because we’ve compiled a list of the most tried-and-true solutions for fixing connection problems between AirPods and Windows PCs.
AirPods should be disconnected from all Apple devices.
When the lid of an AirPods case is opened, other Apple devices in the vicinity are able to pick up the signal and connect to the AirPods. Because Bluetooth connection operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, this will prohibit your Windows PC from beginning the pairing procedure.
Having said that, there is absolutely no way that the laborious pairing on Windows could ever compete with the quickness of Apple’s immediate connection.
If you’re having problems connecting your AirPods to a Windows computer, consider turning off the Bluetooth on any and all other devices in the area, especially any other Apple products. If you need the Bluetooth feature on those devices to be in the “On” option, you can either try to forget your AirPods from those devices or simply reset your AirPods.
Start up the troubleshooter for Windows.
The troubleshooter is a built-in function of Windows that can assist you in determining the possible causes of the connectivity problems you are experiencing with your Bluetooth devices. This is your greatest opportunity to determine the cause of your AirPods’ inability to connect to Windows, in the event that you are unsure what the cause is.
The Windows troubleshooter can be operated in the following manner:
- Launch the Windows Start menu.
- Launching the Start Menu in Windows
- Click the Troubleshoot button after navigating to Settings > Update & Security (on Windows 10) or Settings >
- System (on Windows 11).
- Going into the troubleshooter on Windows
- Select “Other Troubleshooters” from the menu.
- Choosing From Among Other Troubleshooters
- Choose Bluetooth, then click the button. Start the problem-solving process.
- Putting the Windows Bluetooth troubleshooter through its paces
- Hold off on taking any action until Windows identifies the potential issue.
- Windows Troubleshooter carrying out a search for problems.
- If required, implement the solution that was suggested.
- A successful Bluetooth troubleshooting dialogue is demonstrated below for your reference. It depends on the situation, but yours can be different.
Troubleshooting using manual means
Windows should be able to identify any issues, whether they are connected to hardware or software, that prevent your AirPods from connecting to your computer in the correct manner.
However, in the event that it does not, the following are some manual troubleshooting steps that you might try:
Check to see that the Bluetooth on your computer is turned on. You can check this in the Devices section of the Settings menu under Bluetooth.
Check that your AirPods have the appropriate amount of charge and that the most recent firmware has been installed on them.
Verify that you are not flying with the mode set to aeroplane. To confirm this, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode on your device.
You need to turn Bluetooth off and then back on again. Go to your device’s settings, then to Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices, and turn off the slider. After a little pause, the power should be restored immediately.
Follow the steps in this article to bring your PC’s Bluetooth driver up to date.
Make sure that your AirPods are clear of any dirt and earwax buildup before attempting any of these troubleshooting steps. This will ensure that your AirPods do not produce any errors when you attempt to connect them to your Windows computer.
You may always narrow down the problem by trying your AirPods with different devices, even if all other troubleshooting methods fail.
If they do function, the issue must be with your desktop computer or your portable computer. If they don’t, though, there may be a problem with the internal workings of your AirPods. In that scenario, you should get in touch with Apple’s customer care to determine whether or not you are still covered by the warranty and eligible for a replacement.
Conclusion
You ought to be utilising your AirPods with your Windows PC to listen to your favourite tunes or participate in an online meeting by this point.
AirPods are designed to be used with Apple products, and their compatibility with other Bluetooth-enabled devices is limited to a subset of their capabilities because of this.
Follow the steps in our comprehensive guide to prevent your AirPods from becoming disconnected from Windows 10 or 11 if you find that they connect to your computer but then fail to remain connected.
When you tried to connect your AirPods to a Windows computer, did you run across any significant problems? Or do you think there was a step that we overlooked? Leave a comment below and let us know!