This article explains how to connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC.

What to Know

  • Put your AirPods in the case, open the case, and press the button on the case until the light flashes white.Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth > select your AirPods.Your AirPods can be paired to other devices at the same time, but they can only work with one device at a time.

How to Connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC

Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows 11 PC:

  • Right click the Windows icon on the taskbar.
  • Click Settings.
  • Click Bluetooth & devices.
  • Click the Bluetooth toggle if it isn’t already on.
  • Click + Add device.
  • Place the AirPods in their case, and open the case.
  • Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
  • Press and hold the button on your AirPods case.
  • Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
  • When the light on the case flashes white, release the button.
  • Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
  • The light may be inside the case or on the front of the case depending on the version of AirPods you have.
  • Return to your Windows 11 PC, and click Bluetooth.
  • Wait for your PC to search for devices, then click your AirPods when they appear in the list.
  • Wait for the connection to be established, then click Done.
  • Your AirPods are now connected and ready to use. Your AirPods will remember the PC from now on, allowing you to reconnect whenever you want.

How to Use AirPods With a Windows 11 PC

AirPods will automatically connect to your iPhone when you open the case in close proximity to your phone, and you’ll also get an automatic popup on your Mac asking you to connect if your Mac senses your AirPods. Using AirPods with a Windows 11 PC is a little more complicated, but it’s easy to reestablish a connection and use them with your PC whenever you want.

Right click the Windows icon on the taskbar.

Click Settings.

Click Bluetooth & devices.

Click the Bluetooth toggle if it isn’t already on.

Click + Add device.

Place the AirPods in their case, and open the case.

Press and hold the button on your AirPods case.

When the light on the case flashes white, release the button.

The light may be inside the case or on the front of the case depending on the version of AirPods you have.

Return to your Windows 11 PC, and click Bluetooth.

Wait for your PC to search for devices, then click your AirPods when they appear in the list.

Wait for the connection to be established, then click Done.

Your AirPods are now connected and ready to use. Your AirPods will remember the PC from now on, allowing you to reconnect whenever you want.

If you’ve been using your AirPods with another device, here’s how to use them with your Windows 11 PC again:

  • Take your AirPods out of the case, and place them near your Windows 11 PC.
  • Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
  • Click the Speaker icon on the taskbar.
  • Click the > icon to the right of the volume control.
  • If the Bluetooth button is grayed out, it means Bluetooth has been turned off. You’ll need to click the Bluetooth button before clicking the > button.
  • Click Headphones (AirPods) in the list of devices.
  • When your AirPods are selected in this menu, it means they’re connected, ready to use, and set as the default audio source on your Windows 11 PC.

Do Apple AirPods Work With Windows 11 PCs?

AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, but you can pair and connect AirPods to any Windows 11 PC with Bluetooth. Your AirPods can even remember your Windows 11 PC, your iPhone, and other devices as well, allowing you to switch between them whenever you want.

Take your AirPods out of the case, and place them near your Windows 11 PC.

Click the Speaker icon on the taskbar.

Click the > icon to the right of the volume control.

If the Bluetooth button is grayed out, it means Bluetooth has been turned off. You’ll need to click the Bluetooth button before clicking the > button.

Click Headphones (AirPods) in the list of devices.

When your AirPods are selected in this menu, it means they’re connected, ready to use, and set as the default audio source on your Windows 11 PC.

  • How do I disconnect my AirPods on Windows 11?
  • Select the Speaker icon in the taskbar and choose the default speakers to disable the headphones. To unpair your headphones from your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings, choose your Airpods, and select Disconnect.
  • Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my PC?
  • Your AirPods might be going into power save mode when you pause audio playback. Open the Windows Device Manager, go to your AirPod’s Properties, and disable the power management feature.
  • Why won’t my AirPods connect to my PC?
  • If your AirPods won’t connect, it could be due to low battery, or there could be a problem with Windows 11 Bluetooth. If all else fails, reset your AirPods.
  • How do I turn off my AirPods?
  • You can’t turn off AirPods. They go into power save mode when not in use. To conserve battery life, keep your headphones in the case when you’re done using them.

Select the Speaker icon in the taskbar and choose the default speakers to disable the headphones. To unpair your headphones from your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings, choose your Airpods, and select Disconnect.

Your AirPods might be going into power save mode when you pause audio playback. Open the Windows Device Manager, go to your AirPod’s Properties, and disable the power management feature.

If your AirPods won’t connect, it could be due to low battery, or there could be a problem with Windows 11 Bluetooth. If all else fails, reset your AirPods.

You can’t turn off AirPods. They go into power save mode when not in use. To conserve battery life, keep your headphones in the case when you’re done using them.

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