To connect AirPods to a Windows PC, put both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. On your PC, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth (in Windows 10, Settings > Devices > Add Bluetooth or other device), and select your AirPods from the list. They’ll connect in a few seconds.
AirPods work with any Windows PC that has Bluetooth. Here’s how to pair them, switch audio to them, and fix common connection problems.
How to pair AirPods with Windows 11
- Make sure Bluetooth is on: open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn on Bluetooth.
- Put your AirPods in the case and open the lid.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes white. On AirPods 4, which have no setup button, double-tap the front of the case instead.
- On your PC, click Add device, then Bluetooth.
- Select your AirPods when they appear, then click Done.
How to pair AirPods with Windows 10
- Open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Click Add Bluetooth or other device and choose Bluetooth.
- Put the AirPods in pairing mode as described above.
- Select your AirPods and click Done.
How to reconnect AirPods later
Once paired, AirPods usually reconnect when you open the case near your PC. If they don’t, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, and click Connect. You can also use the Bluetooth quick setting in the taskbar.
Make sure sound plays through your AirPods
- Click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
- Click the arrow next to the volume slider (Windows 11) or the device name (Windows 10).
- Choose your AirPods.
AirPods on Windows: what works and what doesn’t
| Works | Doesn’t work on Windows |
|---|---|
| Music, videos, and calls | Automatic switching between Apple devices |
| Microphone | Spatial audio with head tracking |
| Tap or press controls for play and pause | Changing AirPods settings like controls or ear tip fit test |
| Noise cancellation (set on the AirPods) | Battery level details for each earbud in some versions |
When you use the AirPods microphone on a call, Windows switches to a lower-quality “hands-free” mode, so music can sound worse during calls. Use your PC’s built-in mic if audio quality matters.
AirPods won’t connect to Windows? Try these fixes
- Put the AirPods back in pairing mode and try again, keeping the case close to the PC.
- Remove and re-add them: In Bluetooth settings, click the three dots next to the AirPods, choose Remove device, then pair again.
- Disconnect them from your iPhone by turning off Bluetooth on the phone while pairing.
- Update Bluetooth drivers through Windows Update or your PC maker’s app.
- Reset your AirPods: With them in the case, hold the setup button for about 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
To remove a paired accessory from a phone, see how to delete a Bluetooth device on iPhone.
Related: The difference between earbuds and AirPods.
Related: Best Spotify equalizer settings for AirPods.
Frequently asked questions
Do AirPods work with Windows 11?
Yes. All AirPods models work as Bluetooth headphones with Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Why does my AirPods audio sound bad on calls?
Windows uses a lower-quality Bluetooth profile when the AirPods mic is active. Set your PC’s built-in microphone as the input to keep better sound.
Can I see AirPods battery level on Windows?
Windows 11 shows a battery level for many Bluetooth devices in Bluetooth & devices, but it may not show each AirPod separately.
Will pairing with my PC unpair them from my iPhone?
No. AirPods remember both. You may need to reconnect them to your iPhone manually after using them on the PC.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.