Apple made AirPods so you could listen to music, answer calls, or do whatever on an iPhone or iPad. But they don’t just work with Apple stuff. You can pair them with a Windows laptop, a MacBook, and even an Android phone if you feel like it. If you’re struggling to figure out how don’t worry—I got you. Let’s walk through it step by step.
Before You Start: Check Your AirPods
First off, make sure your AirPods aren’t dead. Check the AirPod’s battery status. If they don’t have enough charge, you might run into connection issues. Open the case and take a look at the light inside (or outside, depending on which model you got). If it lights up, you should be good to go. If not, give them a charge for a bit. Refer to our guide on AirPods that die quickly. Also, if you haven’t already, you might want to rename your AirPods using an iPhone or iPad to a custom name, which can help you easily identify them in your laptop’s Bluetooth settings.
How To Connect AirPods with a Laptop (Windows)
1. Put Your AirPods in the Case
- Place both AirPods in their charging case.
- Close the lid, count to five, and then pop it open again.
2. Keep them inside the case for now.
- Turn on Bluetooth
- Hit the Windows key, type “Bluetooth” and open the settings.
- Make sure Bluetooth is switched ON.
3. Add a New Device
- Click “Add Bluetooth or other device.”
- In the menu that appears, select “Bluetooth.”
4. Put AirPods in Pairing Mode
- On the back of the AirPods case, there’s a little round button. Press and hold this button on the back of the AirPods case.
- The light inside should start flashing white. That means they’re in pairing mode. If your AirPods are flashing green or orange, follow our troubleshooting guides.
5. Connect Your AirPods
- After a few seconds, you should see your AirPods pop up in the list of devices.
- Click on them.
- You’ll get a message saying, “Your device is ready to go.” And that’s it!6.
6. What if You Need to Disconnect?
- Go back into Bluetooth settings and find your AirPods in the list.
- Click on them and choose “Remove device.”
- If you need to reconnect, just follow the steps again.
Troubleshooting AirPods That Won’t Connect
Sometimes, things just don’t go as planned. If your AirPods aren’t connecting, try these fixes:
- Check Audio Output: If they’re paired but silent, the sound might be coming from the wrong device. Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose AirPods.
- Restart Your Laptop: It’s a classic fix, but it works a lot.
- Reset the AirPods: Put them in the case, and hold the button until the light turns amber, then white again.
- Toggle Bluetooth: Switch it off, wait a sec, and then turn it back on. Sometimes, Siri can activate automatically, affecting your listening experience. So you can disable it for a smoother experience.
- Update Your Drivers: Go to “Device Manager” on your PC, find Bluetooth settings, and update them.
- Try Another Device: If other Bluetooth headphones work but not AirPods, then your AirPods might be the issue.
- Remove Other Devices: If too many gadgets are connected via Bluetooth, your laptop might struggle to find the right one.
- Check for AirPods Updates: If they’re outdated, pairing issues could pop up. Update them using an iPhone or iPad.
- Check Charging: If your AirPods won’t connect, they might be out of battery. Make sure they’re charged. If you’re having trouble charging them, check out our guide on fixing AirPods not charging.
Final Thoughts
Pairing AirPods with a laptop is straightforward, whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or a Chromebook. Just ensure your AirPods are charged, Bluetooth is enabled, and you’ve followed the pairing steps outlined above. If you run into any issues, the troubleshooting section has you covered. And if you’re looking to connect AirPods to an Xbox or connect AirPods to a Samsung TV, the process is similar—just check for any device-specific instructions. Now, go enjoy your wireless audio!
FAQs
First, you want to log on to your Windows laptop. Next, ensure AirPods are in discoverable mode, and then go to the device in the Bluetooth setting and choose AirPods to complete the connection.
Put the AirPods in the case and close the lid, which should be placed on the dock. Once both are ready, take the devices out of the case and press the case button until the LED light changes to faint white.
Make sure your AirPods are in pairing mode and are attempting to connect to your laptop’s Bluetooth. If that still doesn’t work, you can try resetting the AirPods or going to the Bluetooth option, removing them, and adding them again.
