Bluetooth headphones sync quickly and without problems. You can connect them to smartphones in a matter of seconds. This happens with Air Pods too. But there are times when you need to connect them to a computer, and not like Earpods - via a 3.5mm connector, but via Bluetooth. Let's look at the subtleties and pitfalls when connecting Airpods to Windows 10 and other versions.
How to connect Airpods to Windows 10
If you think that connecting Airpods to Windows 10 is difficult, then you should relax, because in fact, you only need a Bluetooth module. If synchronization with a PC is required, an additional Bluetooth adapter may be required. But you can connect a pair of wireless Airpods to a laptop without any problems; as a rule, the Bluetooth module is built in there.
The easiest way to synchronize with laptops running Windows 10. Airpods are connected using the following algorithm:
- First, in Windows 10 you need to find the Bluetooth connection menu (the icon may be in the tray);
- After the user has found it and opened it, he needs to select “Add a new device”;
- Having taken the Airpods, you need to press the white button on the case for 3 seconds until the white color appears;
- At the end of these operations, all that remains is to connect the headphones in the menu (their name and user name will be displayed).
Attention! Some users may have problems with the microphone, but the headphones themselves will work.
Possible problems
If your headphones won't connect, there are a few things you need to check. First of all, you need to check the charging of the AirPods - place the devices in the charging case and wait for a while. It would be a good idea to restart your personal computer.
If there is still no sound, you need to open the Bluetooth settings window and try to reconnect the AirPods. Next to the name, you need to click on the “Break connection” button, then complete the pairing process from the second point. Additionally, you need to check the following situations:
- Bluetooth is in working order (it finds other gadgets), but after searching AirPods do not appear - the problem may be “old” adapters or low-quality ones; in this case, you need to remove the drivers of the existing connection block. Attention! In some cases, it is enough to update the existing “firewood”. The procedure is carried out through the official Windows website (there is no need to use third-party or unverified resources to avoid introducing malicious software);
- sometimes the connection problem is a malfunction of the headphones (more often the situation is associated with counterfeit elements or incorrect assembly of the structure);
- Additionally, you need to check whether the power saving function of the built-in Bluetooth tool is disabled (located in the device manager block, subsection “Power management (power)”);
- If you cannot install the connected headphones as an input and output element, you must first check the functionality of the drivers (update, re-establish the connection).
In most cases, standard recharging of the headphones and a forced reboot of the personal computer helps.
AirPods of different generations interact not only with Apple products. The devices can be connected to a PC (computer or laptop) running Windows 10. The instructions presented are simple and suitable for novice users. It is important to follow these steps sequentially while observing the operation of the devices.
How to connect Airpods to Windows 8
Windows 8 is something between 7 and 10. But since this OS is newer than 7, connecting Airpods to Windows 8 will be a little easier and with fewer problems. You don’t need to view any drivers (in most cases), you can simply synchronize the devices and start working.
To pair your device to a Windows laptop via Bluetooth, you need to follow the usual algorithm:
- Also, first you need to go to the Bluetooth menu through the “Control Panel” or the tray icon;
- Taking the case in your hands, press and hold the button on the case for about 3 seconds until the headphones go into pairing mode;
- After the option with the name of the headset (and the owner’s name in brackets) appears in the add device menu, you need to pair it as with regular headphones.
So it is possible to get a fully working microphone and headphones for your computer/laptop if everything is in order with the Bluetooth module. There are problems with connections, but rarely. However, it’s worth going to them.
Possible difficulties
If the headphones refuse to work correctly, try restarting them. To do this, place them in the case, then press the button on the back of the package. Hold it until the indicator blinks amber. Close the case and start connecting from the beginning.
Another possible problem is incorrectly working drivers for Apple AirPods for Windows 7, 8, 10. Formally, the installation of the version offered by the update center goes without failure, but the devices then display two components: the AirPods Hands-Free headset (aka headset) and AirPods Stereo headphones. The first one works as a sound source and microphone, the second one works exclusively for sound reproduction.
But when used together, they may conflict, because the device cannot work correctly in two modes with such a driver. Sometimes the sound is not heard in games and applications, although system signals are played. If you turn off the headset, only the headphones remain - and then the sound will appear, but the microphone will not work. If you switch to a headset, the sound quality will suffer.
However, there is a way out: install the driver along with special software from the chip manufacturer. For example, some users successfully resolved the problem by installing Bluetooth Headset Helper (you can download it from the Lenovo website: https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/h1bn01ww.exe). This application configures the system so that it can operate in both modes without failure. True, it was developed quite a long time ago, in 2013, so there are no guarantees either.
How to connect Airpods to Windows 7
Although new Apple headphones connect to a PC without problems via Bluetooth, there may still be problems with the old version of the OS - if it is not configured. To connect Airpods to Windows 7 (seven), you will also need to perform a given sequence of actions, however, Air Pods with an older version of the system may be more difficult to synchronize than, for example, with newer versions of the OS.
In order to synchronize Airpods headphones with a PC, you need to perform the following algorithm without complicated steps for the user:
- You need to open the Bluetooth connections menu;
- On the case, press the button on the back until the white LED appears;
- Start searching for devices, among which headphones should appear;
- When the desired headset is found, you can connect (with the specified username), as in Windows 10.
Important! Synchronization may not work due to driver problems. In view of this, it is recommended to try updating the drivers for the Bluetooth module in advance. In the case of a laptop, it is better to download and install drivers from the laptop manufacturer’s website!
Limited functionality of AirPods when working with a PC
There should be no problems with the connection, but troubles may arise while working with the headphones. When AirPods are paired with devices outside of the Apple ecosystem, they provide a reduced set of capabilities, operating like an app. The owner will not be able to:
- view information about the battery charge of wireless headphones on the screen;
- use the quick change of gadgets (you will have to pair again).
When working with Apple or Android devices, the owner can use the touch panel; in the case of computers, it will not work. Despite this, they will perform their main function stably - the quality of sound and voice transmission will not be affected.
AirPods are multifunctional original headphones that can be used in different directions. They will be an excellent way to listen to music from a computer or laptop. There should be no connection problems, but if the user encounters them, most likely the reason is in the drivers.
If you have any problems
When trying to connect Airpods to a computer, problems may arise due to various aspects. But basically this is the fact that the laptop does not see (or the computer) the headphones. This happens when Airpods 2, Airpods Pro or simple Airpods do not connect - they have a “too new” driver. In this case, it is recommended to perform the following algorithm:
- View your Bluetooth module model in the settings to determine what software to download;
- Find the required driver package online, download and install it on your PC;
- After that, try to reconnect the headphones - everything will work fine for a long time, without failures.
This way, it is possible to eliminate the problem when the headphones do not work well or do not synchronize with the computer at all. The latter must also have an external Bluetooth module (connected via USB), because often full-size computers do not have an option built into the motherboard.
Headphones can be connected without any difficulty. And if problems arise, they can be easily resolved, because basically it’s enough to update the drivers, after which the functionality of the Apple headset in the Microsoft environment will be restored.
Method 1: Use the troubleshooter
The easiest method to solve the headphone visibility problem in Windows 10 is to use the standard troubleshooter. It will check services and test the device to ensure it is functioning correctly. The advantage of this tool is that all actions are performed automatically; the user only needs to start the process.
- Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
Scroll to the bottom of the list and click the Update & Security tile.
If it doesn't show any available options, click on "Advanced troubleshooting tools."
In the “Run diagnostics and fix the problem” block, select “Play sound”.
Wait until items with a selection of available devices are displayed.
Specify your default playback device (i.e. sound card, not headphones) and continue to the next step.
All that remains is to wait for the display of a notification about the problems found or instructions on what actions need to be taken.
Method 4: Setting up the program you are using
This method is applicable only in situations where there are problems with sound playback through headphones only when using certain programs for communication or working with audio. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you about all of them at once, so we’ll take the Discord messenger as an example, and you’ll just have to adapt the instructions to suit your case.
- Launch the software and go to its settings.
Open the "Sound" or "Voice and Video" section.
Find the "Output Device" list.
Change it and see how it affects the sounds you hear. If there are several devices available, activate each one in turn and test.
Start background Bluetooth services.
Bluetooth Help Desk and Bluetooth Help Desk are background processes that make it easier for Bluetooth devices to be discovered and for Bluetooth to work properly in Windows. Your computer won't detect or connect to your AirPods or other Bluetooth devices if those services are inactive or disabled. Check the Windows Services Manager and make sure they are both running.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run Windows window. Type or paste services.msc into the dialog box and click OK.
- Find Bluetooth Support, check the Status column and make sure it says Working. Otherwise, double-click the services and go to the next step to start them.
- Select Start, wait for the service to start, and click OK to save your changes.
Force restart your AirPods (max)
Restarting AirPods Max will fix audio and connection issues. If your AirPods Max won't connect to your computer, force restart your AirPods and reconnect the headphones to your computer.
Press and hold the Noise Control button and Digital Crown until the status indicator flashes amber.
Reset your AirPods Max to factory settings (see next section for steps) if the issue persists.
Method 2: Switch the device you are using
It is possible that the operating system and programs do not see the connected headphones only because the wrong playback device is selected in the settings. In this case, you will not hear the sounds during playback, since they are transmitted to other equipment. To correct this situation, follow these steps:
- In the same Settings app, this time select the System tile.
Through the panel on the left, go to the “Sound” section.
Scroll down to the “Related Settings” block and click on “Sound Control Panel”.
A new window will appear with a tab showing available playback devices.
Right-click on the connected headphones and select “Set as default” from the context menu.
If it turns out that the necessary equipment is not on this list at all, go to Method 5 of this article to activate the disabled device and designate it as the main one.
Method 7: Check which connector is being used
Most new laptop models have a combined connector, where both headphones and a microphone are connected to one port. If your device has two 3.5 mm jacks at once, it is important to choose the one that is designed for headphones and not a microphone. Check the connection type and change it if it suddenly turns out that the wrong port is selected. With computers things are a little more complicated. There are also two ports on the front panel of the system unit, just like on old laptops, but on the motherboard panel there are as many as three connectors of different colors. Use green for headphones and red for microphone.
Find other headphones for sound testing. If they connect and work correctly, it means that the previously connected device is physically faulty. Inspect the cable or take the equipment to a service center for further diagnostics.
Method 5: Enable a disabled device
This method is relevant primarily for owners of personal computers rather than laptops, since the first type of device is characterized by the output of several different sound devices. However, disconnected equipment is worth checking in any case. Perhaps after activating it and selecting the default, the headphones will work.
- Go to Settings>System>Sound and go to Sound Control Panel.
Once on the “Playback” tab, right-click on an empty space in the window and check the box next to “Show disconnected devices.”
If the list has been updated with a disabled device, call up the context menu by right-clicking on it and select “Enable”, then set it as the default and check if sound appears in the headphones.
Turn on Bluetooth
AirPods (and other Bluetooth devices) won't connect to your computer if Bluetooth is turned off. Check your PC settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices and turn on Bluetooth.
If Bluetooth is already turned on on your PC, turn it off, wait a few seconds, turn it back on, and try connecting your AirPods again.
