How to use AirPods with Windows 11

airpods They are a well-designed pair of premium headphones. They offer high-quality sound, work perfectly with your devices, and look modern in your ears. AirPods are compatible with Windows 11 and are set up and used similarly to Apple devices.

Read on to learn how to set up your Windows 11 computer for your AirPods and what to try if it doesn’t work as expected.

How to use AirPods with Windows 11

Before you can start using your AirPods with your PC, you’ll need to pair them. Your AirPods can be paired with multiple devices simultaneously, but will only work with one device at a time. Follow these steps to pair your AirPods with your Windows 11 PC:

1. Open configuration.”
   
2. Choose “Bluetooth & devices.”
   
3. Make sure the slide switch is set to “On.”
   
4. Click “+Add device”.
   
5. Place your AirPods in their case and leave it open.
   
6. Press and hold the button on your AirPods case.
   
7. Once the light on the case flashes white, release the button.
   
8. Click “Bluetooth” on your PC.
   
9. Your computer will search for discoverable devices. Select your AirPods when it appears in the list.
   
10. Wait for your computer and AirPods to pair, then click “Done.”
    

Your AirPods are now ready to use.

How to reset a connection

If you’ve paired your AirPods with an Apple device, it will ask you if you want to connect each time it detects the device. However, using AirPods with Windows 11 is a little more complicated. After connecting to your PC for the first time, you’ll need to reset the connection if you’ve been using your AirPods with another device. That is how:

1. Take your AirPods out of their case and place them near your computer.
2. Click the speaker icon on the taskbar.
3. Increase the volume by clicking the “>” icon to the right of the sound control.
4. In the device list, select “Headphones (AirPods)”.

Once you’ve chosen your AirPods from the menu, they’ll be connected and ready to use.

How to troubleshoot if your AirPods aren’t working

Below we have some fixes to try that should help resolve the following:

• There is no connection between your AirPods and your PC.
• The connection keeps disconnecting.
• Without sound.
• The microphone doesn’t work.

Try reconnecting the AirPods

In this scenario, reconnecting your AirPods includes uninstalling them and then reinstalling them. Follow these steps:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + S” to open the “Search” menu.
   
2. Type “Device Manager” in the text field, then click the top result.
   
3. Expand the “Bluetooth” option to see your connected devices.
   
4. Find all devices starting with “AirPods”, right-click on them, and then choose “Uninstall Device” from the context menu.
   
5. Click “Uninstall” on the pop-up window to confirm.
   
6. Open your AirPods case and press and hold the button on the back until the white light appears.
   
7. Restart your PC.
   
8. Once it has rebooted, use the “Windows + I” hotkey to open “Settings.”
9. Select the “Bluetooth & Devices” tab on the left.
   
10. Click “Add Device” and then “Bluetooth.”
    
11. When your AirPods appear, click on them to connect.
    

Now you will need to set your AirPods as the default device. This is how you do it:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + S” to open the “Search” menu.
   
2. Type “Control Panel” and then click on the control panel result.
   
3. Select “Hardware and Sound,” then “Sound.”
   
4. Under the “Playback” tab, choose “AirPods” (listed as headphones), then click “Set as default.”
   
5. Click “OK” to save the change and exit the window.
   

Use the Bluetooth troubleshooter

If your AirPods connected successfully, but you can’t hear anything, the cause could be due to incorrectly configured playback device selection. Here we will run the “Bluetooth Troubleshooter” and update the Bluetooth drivers to see if that helps. Follow these steps:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + I” to open “Settings”.
   
2. Under “System,” select “Troubleshoot.”
   
3. Choose “Other Troubleshooters.”
   
4. Find the “Bluetooth” troubleshooter and then press “Run.”
   
5. Follow the instructions and make changes, if any, to resolve the issue.

To update Bluetooth drivers:

1. Open “Search”.
   
2. Enter “Device Manager” and click on the relevant result.
   
3. Double-click “Network Adapters.”
   
4. Right-click on “Bluetooth Device” and then from the context menu select “Update Driver.”
   
5. In the “Update drivers” window, select “Search for drivers automatically.”
   
6. Windows will now search for the best driver to install the Bluetooth adapter.

Drivers are vital for any device to function effectively and it is imperative to have the latest version installed at all times.

The method listed above only searches for the best available driver versions. If you haven’t downloaded a driver before, it’s likely outdated. In this case, check for the latest version in “Windows Update” or visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the setup.

Update Windows 11

Older versions of Windows 11 are likely to cause problems for your AirPods, as each update includes bug fixes and performance improvements. So to keep it up to date:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + I” to open “Settings”.
   
2. Choose “Windows Update” from the tabs on the left.
   
3. Click “Check for updates” to check for new versions of the operating system on the right.
   
4. If a new version is available, it will appear with a “Download and install” button. Click on it.

Make sure Bluetooth support is working

The Bluetooth service must be running for Bluetooth devices to work correctly:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + R” to open “Run.”
   
2. To open the “Services” application, type “services.msc” and click “OK” or “Enter.”
   
3. Find and double-click “Bluetooth Support Service.”
   
4. From the “Startup Type” drop-down menu, choose “Automatic.”
   
5. Under “Service Status,” click “Start.”
   
6. To save your changes and close the “Properties” window, click “OK.”
   

Disable wireless iAP service

This service makes it easy to use voice commands through AirPods. However, it can also affect functionality. So if nothing else has worked so far, disabling this service should get your AirPods working. Here’s how to disable the wireless iAP service:

1. Use the hotkey “Windows + S” to open “Search.”
   
2. Enter the “Control Panel” and then click on the relevant result.
   
3. Choose “Hardware and Sound.”
4. Click “Devices and Printers.”
   
5. Under “Devices,” right-click AirPods.
6. From the context menu, choose “Properties.”
7. Go to the “Services” tab.
8. Uncheck the “Wireless iAP” box and then click “OK” to save your changes.

How to solve problems with the AirPods microphone

If your microphone still doesn’t work with calls after trying the solutions above, we have a few more options:

Keep using the microphone

Many users reported that when they continued using the microphone, it started working after a while, so try the following:

1. Tap your AirPods to activate the microphone.
2. Start talking and keep talking, and your AirPods should pick up your voice after a few seconds.

Check active microphone settings

If only one of the AirPods works, try this:

1. Open configuration.”
   
2. Click the “Bluetooth” option and then click the information icon on your AirPods.
3. Select the “Microphone” and enable the “Automatically switch AirPods” option.

These steps should allow your AirPods to use the best microphone for both AirPods to work.

Check your firmware

Some users have claimed that firmware version “3A283” has been problematic for AirPods and the issue was resolved by updating the firmware. With your AirPods connected to your computer, in their open case, try the following:

1. Check your firmware to make sure it is not: “3A283”.
2. If your firmware is not up to date, try installing the latest version.

If the problem persists, try contacting apple stand.

Your AirPods are ready to use

Once a connection has been established between your AirPods and your Windows 11 computer, they should work without any issues. Most connection issues are usually caused by outdated drivers, the latest version of Windows 11 not installed, or a conflicting service like Wireless iAP. Running the “Bluetooth Troubleshooter” is usually a great place to start to find and resolve problems. In addition to ensuring that your computer is up to date.