How to Connect Apple AirPods to a Windows 11 PC (And Fix It If It Doesn’t Work)

Want to use your AirPods with your Windows 11 PC? While they’re made for Apple devices, AirPods work surprisingly well with Windows too — as long as you know how to set them up. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of pairing your AirPods to a Windows 11 computer, and what to do if they won’t connect or work properly.

How to Pair AirPods to Windows 11

Put your AirPods in pairing mode
- Place both AirPods in the case and open the lid.
- Press and hold the Setup button on the back of the case until the status light starts flashing white.
Enable Bluetooth on your PC
- Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth ON if it’s off.
Connect your AirPods
- Click the + Add device button.
- Select Bluetooth from the pop-up.
- When your AirPods appear in the list, click them to connect.
- Hit Done once paired.

Now your AirPods are connected and ready to use.

How to Use AirPods on Windows 11 After Pairing

If you’ve used your AirPods with another device (like an iPhone), they might not auto-connect to your PC. Here’s how to reconnect them manually:

Take your AirPods out of the case.
Click the speaker icon in the Windows taskbar.
If you see a “>” arrow next to the volume slider, click it and select your AirPods as the audio output.

Done — they’re now your PC’s default audio device.

Troubleshooting AirPods Not Working on Windows 11

If you’re running into connection or audio issues, try the following fixes.

1. Manually Reconnect AirPods

Open the AirPods lid and press the Setup button until the white light flashes.
On your PC, go to Bluetooth settings and try connecting again.
If paired previously, you won’t need to remove and re-add the device — just reconnect.

2. Re-Pair AirPods from Scratch

If reconnecting didn’t help:

Restart your PC and turn Bluetooth ON.
Put AirPods into pairing mode (open lid, hold Setup button until white light flashes).
Go to Bluetooth & Devices > Add device and select your AirPods again.

3. Set AirPods as Default Audio Device

Sometimes your PC defaults to the wrong audio source.

Press Windows + I to open Settings > System > Sound.
Under Output, select your AirPods.
Under Input, select AirPods if you plan to use the microphone.
Go to Control Panel > Sound:
- In Playback, right-click your AirPods > Set Default.
- Do the same under the Recording tab.

4. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Bluetooth and click Run.
Follow on-screen steps to detect and fix any problems.

5. Update Bluetooth Drivers

Right-click Start > Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Bluetooth adapter > Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.

For the latest drivers, check Windows Update or your PC manufacturer’s support site.

6. Install the Latest Windows 11 Update

Outdated Windows versions may cause compatibility issues.

Press Windows + I > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
If an update is available, click Download & install.

7. Remove AirPods from Device Manager

Press Windows + X > Device Manager.
Click View > Show hidden devices.
Expand Bluetooth, right-click any greyed-out AirPods entries > Uninstall device.
Repeat for any other AirPods listings under Audio inputs and outputs.
Restart your PC and re-pair your AirPods.

8. Disable Wireless iAP Service

This service can interfere with AirPods performance on Windows.

Press Windows + S, search Control Panel, open it.
Go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your AirPods > Properties.
Go to the Services tab.
Uncheck Wireless iAP and click OK.

Your AirPods should now work properly with Windows 11 — whether you’re listening to music, watching videos, or on a video call. If you’re still running into issues, try rebooting your PC and resetting your AirPods before repeating the steps.