Connecting your AirPods to a Windows 10 PC can seem like a little hassle sometimes, especially if it’s your first time. Sometimes they don’t show up, or whatever you try just doesn’t seem to work smoothly. Kind of weird, but it’s not uncommon for Bluetooth devices to act finicky, especially with Windows updates or driver issues. If you’re trying to get your AirPods to connect for audio, calls, or just to listen without wires, following these steps often clears things up. It’s worth noting, too, that your AirPods can sometimes be stubborn if they’re low on charge or if your PC’s Bluetooth drivers are outdated. No fancy software needed — just a bit of patience and some nudging in the right places.
How to Connect AirPods to PC Windows 10
Enable Bluetooth on Your PC
First things first, make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on. It’s kind of weird, but Windows usually defaults to Bluetooth off after updates or if you’ve disabled it at some point.
- Click on the Start Menu and choose Settings.
- Navigate to Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Check if the toggle button under Bluetooth is set to On.
If it’s not, just click to enable it. On some machines, you might need to toggle it from the Action Center (the little speech bubble icon in the taskbar) and ensure Bluetooth is enabled there too.
Tip: If you don’t see Bluetooth options, your PC might not have Bluetooth hardware or the drivers are missing. In that case, check Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager) and see if Bluetooth shows up. If not, you might need to install drivers from your PC manufacturer or get an external Bluetooth adapter.
Put Your AirPods in Pairing Mode
This part is kind of straightforward, but sometimes not so obvious. Place the AirPods in their case, keep the lid open. Now, press and hold that little button on the back of the case until the LED inside starts flashing white repeatedly. That’s your cue that they’re ready to pair.
Why do it? Because, unlike iPhones which automatically reconnect, Windows needs those blinking lights to know you want to pair — otherwise, it just ignores them.
Not sure why it works sometimes and not others? On one setup it worked immediately, on another, it took a few tries or a restart. Classic Windows quirks.
Add a Bluetooth Device on Your PC
Back in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, hit the Add Bluetooth or other device button. A small window pops up—choose Bluetooth.
- Wait for your PC to scan for nearby devices.
- Your AirPods should pop up in the list — might show as “AirPods” or something similar.
If they don’t show up, double-check if they’re still in pairing mode (white flashing light) and within close distance. Sometimes, just a quick restart of Bluetooth (toggle it off/on) or disconnecting other Bluetooth devices helps clear interference.
Pro tip: Keep your AirPods close to the PC and avoid other Bluetooth devices that might cause overlap. Windows loves chaos sometimes.
Select Your AirPods and Connect
Once your AirPods are visible, click on their name, then click Connect. You might see a message like “Your device is ready to go.” Often, on some setups, it takes a few seconds for the connection to establish.
On a few occasions, it helped to restart Bluetooth or even restart your PC if they refuse to connect right away. Tech magic, right?
After that, check if sound is coming through your AirPods by playing a YouTube video or a song. If not, you might need to manually select them as your output device:
Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar > Select Open Sound settings > Under Output device, choose your AirPods.Test & Troubleshoot Connection
If audio plays fine, then all is good. If not, try these quick checks:
- Ensure your AirPods are still connected in Bluetooth & other devices.
- Restart Bluetooth toggle, or unplug/replug the Bluetooth adapter if you’re using an external one.
- Update your Bluetooth driver: head to Device Manager, find your Bluetooth device, right-click, choose Update driver.
- Alternatively, sometimes just restarting the PC helps fix minor glitches, especially if Bluetooth suddenly stops working.
Sometimes, on certain setups, the connection fails on the first try — don’t get frustrated; just try again or reconnect. Windows is weird like that.
Tips for Smooth Bluetooth Pairing with AirPods
- Charge your AirPods fully before pairing — low charge can cause connection issues.
- Keep the case close or right next to your PC during setup.
- If AirPods don’t show up, restart Bluetooth or power cycle your PC.
- Check for Windows updates and especially Bluetooth driver updates; outdated drivers are often the root of trouble.
- Disable Bluetooth on other nearby devices temporarily if they’re interfering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t my AirPods pop up in the Bluetooth list?
Usually, they’re not in pairing mode or the Bluetooth isn’t enabled. Make sure the case lid is open and the button pressed until the LED flashes white. Also, verify Bluetooth is turned on in settings.
Can I connect my AirPods to multiple devices at once?
Not simultaneously. They reconnect to the last device used, but they can remember multiple ones in their memory, so switching is easier once paired.
What if my AirPods won’t connect after multiple tries?
Try removing them from the device list (click on their name and select “Remove device”), then repeat the pairing process. Sometimes removing and re-adding fixes strange bugs.
Do I need any special software or drivers?
Nope, just Bluetooth capability and updated drivers. Windows handles the rest.
Will my AirPods disconnect if I shut down the PC?
Yep. Once you shut down or disable Bluetooth, they’ll disconnect. Same if you manually disconnect them or turn off Bluetooth in settings.
Summary
- Make sure Bluetooth’s turned on and your AirPods are charged.
- Put AirPods in pairing mode (case open + button hold).
- Add Bluetooth device on your PC and select AirPods.
- Set AirPods as default audio device if needed.
- Test and troubleshoot if needed, updating drivers often helps.
Wrap-up
Getting AirPods to play nicely with Windows 10 isn’t exactly plug-and-play for everyone — especially if the system or drivers are out of date. But with a few tweaks, most of the time they connect without headaches. Just remember, Windows and Bluetooth can be frustrating, but patience and some fiddling usually do the trick. Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone trying to get their earbuds working. Good luck!