AirPods are no doubt costlier when compared to other products, but their quality and the Apple tag are the two major reasons that attract buyers. And, when these expensive earbuds stop working, it is certainly a scary situation. Therefore we have decided to dedicate this guide to list out the possible reasons behind the issue, and the most effective methods to get your AirPods working in Windows 11.

Why are my AirPods not working in Windows 11?

Under optimal settings, the AirPods should be working just fine in Windows 11. However, if there are problems with the connection, or an outdated driver is installed, you might encounter issues with it. Apart from that, running an older version of the OS is just as likely to cause the error. Many a time, it’s the selection of the audio output device that can lead to issues with AirPods in Windows 11.

AirPods not connecting to Windows 11 – follow the solutions below to reconnect and troubleshoot. AirPods keep disconnecting from Windows 11 – this is due to faulty drivers, and can be easily fixed by updating Bluetooth drivers (solution below). Find out more about audio drivers for Windows 11. AirPods microphone not working – this can be a problem on both Mac and PC and we covered the solutions in depth.

No matter which of the issues listed above cause the problem in your case, the fixes listed below would eliminate it. Also, these would fix problems with the output, in case you have the AirPods connected but no sound in Windows 11.

What can I do if the AirPods are not working in Windows 11?

1. Reconnect the AirPods

2. Set AirPods as default device

If you have the AirPods connected in Windows 11 but there’s no sound, it could be likely that the playback device selection is misconfigured. Setting your AirPods as the default device should fix the issue.

3. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter

Whenever facing a problem in Windows, it’s recommended that you look for a built-in troubleshooter. Microsoft offers several of these to diagnose and eliminate problems with the system and connected devices.

4. Update Bluetooth drivers

Drivers are extremely critical for the effective functioning of any device since these are primarily responsible for the relay of commands between the OS and the hardware. Also, it’s imperative that you have the latest version of it installed. Now, the Device Manager method listed above only scans for the driver versions available on the computer, and in case you haven’t downloaded one previously, the chances of it being updated are bleak. In which case, you can search for the latest version in Windows Update or manually download the setup from the manufacturer’s website and install it. Several users find the process of updating drivers monotonous and tricky, and that’s where third-party apps come to your rescue. SPONSORED We recommend using DriverFix, a dedicated tool that scans all available sources for updates and keeps the installed drivers up-to-date. After updating the Bluetooth driver, check if the AirPods are now working in Windows 11.

5. Update Windows 11

Running an older version of Windows 11 is just as likely to affect the working of AirPods. With each update, Microsoft releases patches for bugs along with various features and performance enhancements. And that’s why we recommend keeping the OS updated.

6. Verify if the Bluetooth Support Service is running

7. Disable Wireless iAP service

The Wireless iAP service makes it possible for you to use voice commands in Windows using AirDods, however, it is also known to affect its functioning. Therefore, if none of the fixes listed above work, disable the service and your AirPods would now be working just fine in Windows 11.

Do AirPods work better in Windows 11?

Yes, Microsoft has been working on the wideband speech feature to enhance the AirPods experience, and it’s finally released for users. The feature works for all available models of AirPods and has gotten users all enthusiastic. Wideband speech offers a much wider frequency range when it comes to audio output, thus enhancing the sound quality. If you have a pair of AirPods and a Windows PC, you are in for a treat. At the time of writing this article, the feature was still in the Dev channel, and we expect it to be released in the coming months for all users. Make sure to keep checking for updates and not miss out. These are all the ways you can eliminate issues preventing your AirPods from working in Windows 11, along with the other relevant information that might come in handy during the troubleshooting process. If the microphone is not working in your AirPods, check this article to find out the fixes for it. Also, learn how to resolve problems with Bluetooth in Windows 11. Tell us which fix worked and your experience of AirPods in Windows 11 thus far, in the comments section below.

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