AirPods fail to connect to a Mac or Windows PC when Bluetooth is off, the AirPods are paired to another device, or the computer's Bluetooth drivers need updating

The most common reason AirPods won't connect is that your computer's Bluetooth is disabled or the AirPods are still paired to your phone or tablet. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time, so if they're actively connected to your iPhone, they won't appear as available on your Mac or PC. A second frequent cause is outdated Bluetooth drivers on Windows machines, which prevents the computer from seeing wireless devices at all.

Less often, the AirPods themselves need to be reset, or the pairing information on your computer is corrupted and needs to be deleted and re-added. This guide walks you through each fix in order, starting with the fastest ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off Bluetooth on your phone or other devices before trying to connect AirPods to your computer, since AirPods can only pair with one device at a time.
  • On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on; on Windows, check Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and toggle it on if it's off.
  • If your AirPods appear in the Bluetooth menu but won't connect, forget the device and pair them again from scratch.
  • On Windows, outdated Bluetooth drivers are a common culprit—check Device Manager for driver updates under Bluetooth devices.
  • If nothing works, reset your AirPods by holding the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and white.

Check that Bluetooth is turned on and AirPods are in range

Before troubleshooting anything else, confirm that your computer's Bluetooth radio is actually on. On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top right of the screen—it looks like a Bluetooth symbol. If it says "Bluetooth: Off", click it and select "Turn Bluetooth On". On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Devices, then Bluetooth & devices, and toggle the Bluetooth switch to On.

Next, make sure your AirPods are within 30 feet of your computer and that the case is open. AirPods won't broadcast their signal if the case is closed. Hold the case near your computer and wait 10 seconds for the AirPods to appear in the Bluetooth menu. If you still don't see them, move to the next step.

Disconnect AirPods from your phone or other devices

AirPods maintain a connection to whichever device they were last used with. If they're currently paired to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, they won't show up as available on your computer. Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone and tap the "i" icon next to your AirPods, then select "Disconnect" or "Forget This Device".

If you use multiple non-Apple devices, check the Bluetooth settings on each one. Some Android phones and Windows PCs will hold onto a pairing even if the AirPods aren't currently connected, which can prevent them from appearing on your computer. Once you've disconnected or forgotten the AirPods on all other devices, return to your computer and look for them in the Bluetooth menu again.

Forget and re-pair the AirPods on your computer

If your AirPods appear in the Bluetooth menu but won't actually connect, the pairing information on your computer is likely corrupted. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, click the "i" icon next to them, and select "Remove". On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, click on them, and select "Remove device".

After removing them, open the case near your computer and hold down the setup button on the back of the case for about 3 seconds until the light inside flashes white. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode. They should now appear in your Bluetooth menu as a new device. Click or tap to connect, and they should pair successfully. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.

Update Bluetooth drivers on Windows

Windows computers rely on Bluetooth drivers to communicate with wireless devices. If these drivers are outdated, your computer won't see your AirPods at all. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager". Look for "Bluetooth" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand the category.

Right-click on the Bluetooth device listed underneath and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and let Windows search for and install any available updates. After the update completes, restart your computer and try pairing your AirPods again. If Device Manager shows a yellow warning triangle next to the Bluetooth device, that's a sign the driver needs attention.

Reset your AirPods

If you've tried all the steps above and your AirPods still won't connect, reset them completely. Place both AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds. Open the case and hold down the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The light inside will flash amber, then white—when it flashes white, the AirPods are reset and ready to pair with any device.

After a reset, your AirPods will no longer be paired to any of your devices. You'll need to pair them again from scratch on your computer. Go to your Bluetooth settings, put the AirPods in pairing mode by holding the setup button for 3 seconds, and select them from the available devices list. A reset clears out any corrupted pairing data and often solves connection problems that nothing else can fix.

Check for interference and restart Bluetooth

Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which is shared by Wi-Fi, microwaves, and many other wireless devices. If you're near a microwave or a congested Wi-Fi network, move your computer and AirPods away from the source and try again. Interference rarely prevents pairing entirely, but it can make the connection unstable.

A straightforward restart of Bluetooth on your computer can also clear up temporary glitches. On a Mac, turn Bluetooth off in the menu bar, wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & devices, toggle Bluetooth off, wait 5 seconds, and toggle it back on. Then try pairing your AirPods again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my AirPods connect to my phone but not my computer?

AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If they're paired to your iPhone, they won't show up on your computer. Disconnect them from your phone first by going to Bluetooth settings, tapping the "i" icon next to your AirPods, and selecting "Disconnect". Then try pairing them to your computer.

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my iPhone every time I want to use them on my computer?

No. Once you've paired your AirPods to both devices, you can switch between them by opening Bluetooth settings on whichever device you want to use. The AirPods will automatically disconnect from one and connect to the other. You only need to forget and re-pair if they won't connect at all.

Can I use AirPods with a Windows PC?

Yes. Any Windows 10 or 11 PC with Bluetooth can pair with AirPods. The pairing process is the same as on a Mac. If your Windows PC doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for about $15 to $30.

What does it mean if the light on my AirPods case keeps flashing amber?

A flashing amber light means your AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a device. If the light stays amber and doesn't flash white after 15 seconds, the AirPods may need to be reset. Hold the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white.

Will resetting my AirPods erase any settings or audio history?

No. Resetting only clears the pairing information stored on the AirPods themselves. It doesn't affect any settings on your computer or phone. After a reset, you'll pair them again just as you did the first time.