The most common reason AirPods won't connect to a Mac or Windows PC is that Bluetooth is turned off, the AirPods are paired to your phone instead, or your computer's Bluetooth hardware isn't working

AirPods connect through Bluetooth, which means your computer needs to have Bluetooth turned on and your AirPods need to be in pairing mode or already paired to that specific device. Unlike connecting to an iPhone, where AirPods automatically recognize your Apple account, a Mac or Windows PC treats AirPods as a separate pairing. If your AirPods are currently connected to your phone, they won't connect to your computer at the same time — Bluetooth devices can only pair with one device actively at a time.

The fix depends on where the problem actually is: whether Bluetooth itself is off, whether your AirPods are in the wrong pairing state, or whether your computer's Bluetooth hardware has a driver problem or is physically broken.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your computer's settings before assuming your AirPods are the problem.
  • If your AirPods are connected to your phone, disconnect them there first — they cannot pair with two devices at once.
  • Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white.
  • On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and look for your AirPods in the list; on Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
  • If your computer doesn't see any Bluetooth devices at all, your computer's Bluetooth hardware may need a driver update or repair.

Check that Bluetooth is actually turned on

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar. If it says "Bluetooth: Off", click it and select "Turn Bluetooth On". If you don't see a Bluetooth icon, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth on the left sidebar, and toggle it on.

On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the Start button, go to Settings, then select Bluetooth & devices on the left. Look for the toggle next to "Bluetooth" and make sure it is switched on. If you don't see a Bluetooth option at all, your computer may not have Bluetooth hardware, or the driver needs to be installed.

If Bluetooth is already on and you still don't see your AirPods, move to the next step. Bluetooth being on is necessary but not sufficient — your AirPods also need to be in the right state.

Disconnect your AirPods from your phone first

If your AirPods are currently connected to your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, they cannot connect to your computer at the same time. Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone and tap the "i" icon next to your AirPods, then select "Forget This Device". This removes the pairing entirely, which is different from just disconnecting — you will need to pair them again when you want to use them with your phone.

Alternatively, you can straightforward turn off Bluetooth on your phone. This disconnects your AirPods without forgetting them, so they will reconnect automatically the next time you turn Bluetooth back on. This is faster if you plan to switch back to your phone soon.

After you have disconnected or forgotten your AirPods on your phone, wait 10 seconds, then proceed to put them in pairing mode for your computer.

Put your AirPods in pairing mode

Hold down the small button on the back of your AirPods charging case for about 15 seconds. You will see the LED light on the front of the case start flashing white. This means your AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a new device.

Do not release the button as soon as the light turns white — keep holding it until the light flashes white repeatedly. If the light turns green, you have held it too long and the AirPods have reset; start over.

Once the light is flashing white, your AirPods will stay in pairing mode for about 15 minutes. Go to your computer's Bluetooth settings when ready and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices.

Find and select your AirPods in your computer's Bluetooth settings

On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth on the left sidebar, and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices. Click "Connect" next to them. Your Mac will ask you to confirm the pairing — click "Connect" again if prompted.

On Windows 10, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Bluetooth. Look for your AirPods in the list and click them once. Windows will show a "Pair" button — click it. On Windows 11, the process is the same: Settings > Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, and click "Pair".

If your AirPods do not appear in the list at all, make sure the LED light on the case is still flashing white. If it has stopped flashing, put them back in pairing mode. If the light is flashing and your AirPods still do not appear, your computer's Bluetooth hardware may not be working correctly.

Update or reinstall your Bluetooth drivers on Windows

If your AirPods are in pairing mode but your Windows PC does not show any Bluetooth devices in the settings, your Bluetooth driver may be outdated or missing. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for "Bluetooth" in the list. Click the arrow next to it to expand the category.

Right-click the Bluetooth device listed underneath and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will check for a newer version online. If an update is found, install it and restart your computer.

If updating the driver does not work, right-click the Bluetooth device again and select "Uninstall device". Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the Bluetooth driver when it boots up. After the restart, go back to Bluetooth settings and try pairing your AirPods again.

Check whether your computer has Bluetooth hardware

Some older desktop computers and budget laptops do not have Bluetooth built in. If you have followed all the steps above and your computer still shows no Bluetooth devices in the settings, your computer may not have Bluetooth hardware at all.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "About This Mac", and click "System Report". Look for "Bluetooth" in the left sidebar. If it is not there, your Mac does not have Bluetooth. On Windows, open Device Manager and look for "Bluetooth" in the list. If the category does not exist, your PC does not have Bluetooth hardware.

If your computer does not have Bluetooth, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for $15 to $40. These plug into a USB port and add Bluetooth capability to any computer. Install the driver that comes with the adapter, then your AirPods should pair normally.

Restart your AirPods and your computer

If your AirPods appear in your computer's Bluetooth list but will not actually connect, try restarting both devices. Put your AirPods back in their case and close the lid for 30 seconds. Open the case and put the AirPods in your ears. Then restart your computer completely — do not just put it to sleep.

After your computer has fully restarted, go back to Bluetooth settings and try connecting to your AirPods again. If they still will not connect, put them in pairing mode one more time by holding the back button for 15 seconds and try pairing from scratch.

If restarting does not work and your AirPods connect fine to your phone or other devices, the problem is likely specific to your computer's Bluetooth hardware or drivers, not your AirPods themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AirPods with both my computer and phone at the same time?

No. AirPods can only actively connect to one device at a time. You can pair them with multiple devices, but you must disconnect them from one before they will connect to another. Some newer AirPods Pro models have a feature to switch between devices automatically, but this still happens one at a time, not simultaneously.

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

Your AirPods are probably still paired to your phone and actively connected. Disconnect them from your phone first by going to Bluetooth settings and selecting "Forget This Device". Then put them in pairing mode and pair them with your computer.

What if my AirPods are in pairing mode but my computer still doesn't see them?

Make sure the LED light on the case is flashing white, not solid or green. If it is flashing white and your computer still does not see them, your computer's Bluetooth hardware may not be working. Try updating your Bluetooth drivers on Windows or checking System Report on a Mac to confirm your computer has Bluetooth hardware.

Do I need to pair my AirPods every time I want to use them with my computer?

No. Once you have paired them once, your computer will remember them. The next time you turn on your AirPods and Bluetooth is on, they should connect automatically. You only need to pair them again if you forget the device in your Bluetooth settings or reset your AirPods.

Can I use AirPods with a Windows PC?

Yes. AirPods work with any device that has Bluetooth, including Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. The pairing process is the same as with a Mac. They will work fine, though some Apple-specific features like automatic switching between devices may not be available on Windows.