To connect AirPods to a PC, put your AirPods in the case, open it, and press the button on the back.
When the status light inside the front of your AirPods case blinks white, you can let go of the button.
You can then pair the AirPods to a PC by opening Bluetooth settings in the Windows menu.
Apple’s AirPods are completely wireless Bluetooth earbuds, designed primarily for iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. But AirPods work with all sorts of other devices as well, including a Windows PC.
If you want to use your AirPods with your PC, here’s how to pair and connect them.
Note: If you use AirPods with a PC, you won’t get their connectivity to Siri — that only works when the buds are connected to an iPhone or iPad.
How to connect AirPods to a PC
To connect AirPods to a PC, put your AirPods in the case and press and hold the small button on the back until the status light starts blinking white. Your AirPods should then show up in the Add a device window in your PC’s Bluetooth settings, where you can click to pair and connect.
1. Put your AirPods in their case and make sure they are charged.
2. Open Settings on your PC from the Start menu. It’s the gear-shaped icon above the power button. You can also type Settings in the Start menu search box.
Open Settings from the Start menu.
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3. Click Devices.
4. At the top of the Bluetooth & other devices section, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. The switch should be toggled on to the right and colored blue.
5. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Settings, then click the Add Bluetooth button.
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6. In the Add a device window, click Bluetooth.
7. Open the lid of your AirPods case. (Skip this step if you own AirPod Max’s.)
8. Press and hold the small button on the back of the case for several seconds, until the status light on the front of the case starts blinking white.
The button on the back of the case puts the AirPods in pairing mode.
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9. The AirPods should appear in the list of devices available for pairing on your PC. They might first appear as Headphones, and then change to AirPods after a few moments.
10. Click AirPods.
After the AirPods are in pairing mode, you should see them appear in the list of available devices.
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11. Windows will connect to the AirPods and display a success message. Click Done. You can now listen to your PC audio through the AirPods.
After the Bluetooth setup is complete, you can click “Done” and close Settings.
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Quick tip: Have a Mac instead of a PC? Here’s how to connect your Airpods to your Mac computer.
Troubleshooting when your AirPods won’t connect to your PC
There are many ways to fix AirPods that won’t connect, including making sure that they’re charged. But if you’re having further trouble, you may want to reset your AirPods. That way, you’ll be able to charge them and get them to sync properly.
It’s also possible that the issue is coming from your PC, rather than your AirPods. If that’s the case, try running the WIndows troubleshooter. That’s accessed via the Start menu’s Settings.
From there, choose Updates & Security (for Windows 10) or System (for Windows 11) followed by Troubleshoot. Finally, click Other troubleshooters and then Bluetooth. After that runs, you may receive recommendations to fix the issue.
Quick tip: You can disconnect your AirPods by turning off Bluetooth on Windows.