If you’ve ever wondered whether Apple AirPods can work with a Windows 10 PC, the answer is — yes, they can!
Although AirPods are designed primarily for Apple devices, they also function just like standard Bluetooth headphones when connected to Windows.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to connect AirPods to Windows 10, fix common pairing issues, and even show you how to reconnect automatically in the future.
By the end, you’ll be enjoying your favorite music, YouTube videos, or Zoom calls — wirelessly and effortlessly.
Can You Use AirPods with Windows 10?
Yes! Even though AirPods are made by Apple, they work perfectly fine with Windows 10 because they use Bluetooth 5.0 — the same wireless technology supported by most modern laptops and PCs.
However, since they’re not natively integrated into Windows like they are in macOS or iOS, some advanced features — like automatic device switching or spatial audio — may not be available.
But for everyday tasks like listening to music, watching videos, or making calls, AirPods perform just as well on Windows.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before pairing your AirPods, make sure you have the following ready:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| 💻 Windows 10 PC or laptop | Bluetooth-enabled device. |
| 🎧 AirPods / AirPods Pro / AirPods Max | Fully charged and in their case. |
| 🔋 Charged case | You’ll need it to put AirPods into pairing mode. |
| ⚙️ Updated Bluetooth drivers | Outdated drivers can prevent successful pairing. |
💡 Tip: If your computer doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth, you can buy a small USB Bluetooth adapter (dongle) — they’re inexpensive and plug-and-play.
How to Put AirPods into Pairing Mode
To connect your AirPods to Windows, you first need to make them discoverable by putting them in pairing mode.
Here’s how:
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Place both AirPods in the charging case.
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Open the lid (leave the AirPods inside).
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Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 10–15 seconds.
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The LED light will start flashing white — this means your AirPods are ready to pair.
Once you see the blinking white light, move to your Windows 10 computer.
How to Connect AirPods to Windows 10
Follow these simple steps to connect your AirPods to a Windows 10 PC:
Step 1: Open Bluetooth Settings
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Click the Start menu → select Settings (gear icon).
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Go to Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
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Make sure Bluetooth is turned ON.
Alternatively, you can quickly open it by typing Bluetooth settings in the Windows search bar.
Step 2: Add a New Bluetooth Device
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Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
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In the pop-up window, choose Bluetooth.
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Wait a few seconds while Windows searches for nearby devices.
Step 3: Select Your AirPods
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When you see your AirPods appear in the list (for example, “AirPods Pro” or “AirPods of John”), click on them.
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Windows will begin pairing.
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Once connected, you’ll see a message:
“Your device is ready to go.”
🎉 That’s it! Your AirPods are now successfully connected to your Windows 10 computer.
Step 4: Set AirPods as the Default Audio Output
To make sure audio plays through your AirPods:
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Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar → click Sounds.
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Under the Playback tab, select your AirPods → click Set Default → then OK.
Now, all sound from your PC — YouTube, Spotify, games, or Zoom calls — will play through your AirPods.
How to Reconnect AirPods Automatically
Once your AirPods are paired with your PC, they’ll reconnect automatically whenever they’re nearby and Bluetooth is enabled.
To reconnect manually (if needed):
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Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
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Find your AirPods under Audio.
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Click Connect.
💡 Tip: If you switch your AirPods back and forth between your iPhone and PC, you may need to reconnect manually each time.
How to Disconnect or Remove AirPods from Windows 10
Sometimes you might want to remove your AirPods and reconnect from scratch — for instance, when troubleshooting Bluetooth issues.
To disconnect:
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Go to Settings → Bluetooth & other devices.
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Find your AirPods under Audio.
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Click Disconnect.
To remove completely:
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Click your AirPods name again.
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Select Remove device → confirm Yes.
You can re-pair them anytime by following the earlier steps.
Troubleshooting: AirPods Not Connecting to Windows 10
Sometimes, AirPods may fail to pair or connect properly. Don’t worry — here are some quick fixes:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods not showing up | Bluetooth off or outdated drivers | Turn Bluetooth off and on again; update drivers |
| “Couldn’t connect” message | AirPods already paired with another device | Put AirPods back in case → hold setup button → retry pairing |
| One AirPod not working | Battery issue | Put both AirPods back in case, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect |
| Intermittent audio dropouts | Wireless interference | Move closer to the PC; avoid other Bluetooth devices nearby |
| No sound after connecting | Wrong audio output selected | Set AirPods as default playback device |
💡 Pro tip: Restarting your computer can often fix minor pairing issues instantly.
Fix AirPods Audio Lag or Poor Sound Quality on Windows 10
Sometimes, the audio from your AirPods may sound muffled or have a noticeable delay. This usually happens because of how Windows handles Bluetooth audio profiles.
Here’s how to fix it:
1. Disable “Hands-Free Telephony”
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Press Windows + R, type
control, and hit Enter to open the Control Panel. -
Go to Hardware and Sound → Devices and Printers.
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Right-click your AirPods → select Properties.
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Under the Services tab, uncheck Hands-free Telephony.
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Click Apply → OK.
This forces Windows to use the stereo audio mode instead of the low-quality headset mode.
2. Reconnect Your AirPods
Disconnect and reconnect your AirPods after applying the change.
You should now hear crisper, higher-quality sound.
How to Use AirPods’ Microphone on Windows 10
Your AirPods include a built-in microphone that works with Windows too — but you’ll need to enable it manually.
To set it up:
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Right-click the speaker icon on your taskbar → select Sounds.
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Click on the Recording tab.
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Select AirPods Hands-Free AG Audio → click Set Default.
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Speak into your AirPods to test the microphone.
🎤 Note: When using the AirPods mic, sound quality may temporarily drop, as Windows switches to headset mode for voice input. To get back to high-quality sound, switch the playback device back to Stereo mode after your call.
How to Reconnect AirPods After Using on an iPhone or iPad
AirPods automatically connect to your Apple devices when you use them there. So, when you want to use them again on your Windows PC, you’ll need to manually reconnect.
Here’s how:
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Open the AirPods case (with both earbuds inside).
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On your PC, go to Settings → Bluetooth & other devices.
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Under Audio, click your AirPods → Connect.
If that doesn’t work, put your AirPods back in pairing mode again (hold the button on the case) and reconnect from scratch.
Pro Tips for Better Bluetooth Performance
To make sure your AirPods perform well on Windows 10, follow these best practices:
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🔋 Keep AirPods charged: Low battery can cause audio cutouts.
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🧭 Stay within range: Bluetooth typically works best within 10 meters (33 feet).
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💡 Avoid interference: Turn off Wi-Fi 2.4GHz devices nearby when possible.
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⚙️ Update Bluetooth drivers: Use Device Manager → Bluetooth → Update driver.
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🔄 Restart Bluetooth services:
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Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and hit Enter. -
Restart the following:
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Bluetooth Audio Gateway Service
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Bluetooth Support Service
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Bluetooth User Support Service
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Keeping these settings in check ensures smoother connectivity and better audio quality.
FAQs
1. Why won’t my AirPods show up on Windows 10 Bluetooth?
Make sure your AirPods are in pairing mode (white light flashing). Also, turn off Bluetooth on any nearby Apple device — they may be auto-connecting there instead.
2. How do I reset my AirPods?
Put both AirPods in the case → open the lid → press and hold the back button for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then white.
3. Can I connect AirPods Pro or AirPods Max to Windows 10?
Yes! The steps are the same for all AirPods models — regular, Pro, and Max.
4. Why is my AirPods mic not working on PC?
Make sure the Hands-Free AG Audio mode is enabled under Recording Devices. If it’s already selected and still not working, unpair and reconnect your AirPods.
5. Can I use AirPods for Zoom or Skype calls on Windows 10?
Absolutely. Just set AirPods as your default communication device under Windows’ Sound settings.
Summary – Key Takeaways
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turn on Bluetooth in Windows 10 | Prepares your PC for pairing |
| 2 | Put AirPods in pairing mode | Makes them discoverable |
| 3 | Add Bluetooth device → select AirPods | Establishes connection |
| 4 | Set AirPods as default playback device | Directs sound output to AirPods |
| 5 | Reconnect automatically next time | Quick pairing in future sessions |
✅ Final Thoughts
Connecting your AirPods to Windows 10 might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you know the steps.
By following this guide, you can pair your AirPods in minutes — and enjoy crystal-clear wireless sound for movies, music, and meetings.
From troubleshooting pairing issues to improving audio quality, we’ve covered every detail you need.
Now that you know how to connect AirPods to Windows 10, your wireless listening experience just got a whole lot better! 🎧