To connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC, turn on Bluetooth, put the AirPods in pairing mode, then select Add device > Bluetooth and choose them. They work as standard Bluetooth headphones. The pairing method depends on the AirPods model, so newer AirPods cases do not always use the same rear setup button described in older guides.
How to Connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Put the AirPods into pairing mode, so the status light flashes white:
- AirPods 1, 2, or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2: place the AirPods in the charging case, open the lid, and press and hold the setup button on the back.
- AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3: open the case with the AirPods inside and double-tap the front of the case.
- AirPods Max: press and hold the listening-mode button.
- In Windows 11, select Add device, choose Bluetooth, and wait for the AirPods to appear.
- Choose your AirPods from the device list and allow Windows to finish pairing.
- If Windows does not switch to them automatically, open the Windows sound output control and select the AirPods.
If the AirPods Do Not Appear
Confirm that the status light is flashing white and keep the AirPods close to the PC. If they immediately reconnect to another nearby device, temporarily disconnect them from that device and try pairing again. You can also turn Windows Bluetooth off and back on or restart the PC.
If Windows 11 Has No Bluetooth Option
The computer may not have Bluetooth hardware, the adapter may be disabled, or its driver may not be working. Check Device Manager and the PC manufacturer’s support information, or update the Bluetooth driver in Windows 11 if the adapter is listed but not working. A compatible USB Bluetooth adapter can add Bluetooth to a desktop that does not have it built in.
Switch AirPods between your iPhone and PC
AirPods don’t switch to a Windows PC automatically the way they do between Apple devices. To use them with the PC, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices, find the AirPods, and select Connect. To go back to your iPhone, select the AirPods in its Bluetooth or Control Center menu.
Use the AirPods microphone in calls
In Teams, Zoom or another call app, open its audio settings and choose the AirPods for both the speaker and the microphone. Windows may list them twice, once for listening and once as a headset for calls.
AirPods Features on Windows
AirPods work as Bluetooth headphones and can provide audio and microphone functionality on a Windows PC, but Apple-specific integration is more limited than it is with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Do not expect every Apple feature to be available through Windows. Beats headphones pair with Windows over Bluetooth in the same way, as covered in connecting Beats to Windows 11.
Why Audio Quality Can Change During Calls
Bluetooth headphones can use different audio modes when the microphone is active. If music sounds different during a call or meeting, the change can be related to the Bluetooth audio mode used for two-way communication rather than a defective pair of AirPods.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see my AirPods battery level on Windows?
Not reliably. Windows may not show AirPods battery levels. Check them on an iPhone, or look at the status light on the case.
Do noise cancellation and Transparency work on a PC?
Yes. Press and hold the stem, or the noise control button on AirPods Max, to switch modes. The setting is stored on the AirPods themselves.
Can I update AirPods firmware from Windows?
No. Firmware updates come through an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Keep the AirPods connected to an Apple device now and then so they stay up to date with Apple’s fixes.
Why do my AirPods disconnect from the PC?
They may be switching to a nearby iPhone or iPad. Turn off Bluetooth on that device while you use the PC, or remove the AirPods in Windows and pair them again.
Related: connecting AirPods to Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.