On the Windows 11 laptop, this usually means the AirPods are connecting only in the hands-free profile instead of the normal audio profile, or the pairing became corrupted. Try these steps in order:
- Make sure Bluetooth is on and the AirPods are in pairing mode.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn Bluetooth on.
- Put the AirPods back in pairing mode and keep them close to the PC.
- Remove the AirPods from Windows and pair them again.
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
- Select More options (...) for the AirPods > Remove device > Yes.
- Select Add device and pair the AirPods again. This often fixes cases where the device shows up only as a peripheral or only works for the microphone.
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Next to Bluetooth, select Run.
- Update the Bluetooth driver.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Bluetooth.
- Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Restart the PC if prompted.
- If the driver still seems stuck, reinstall it.
- In Device Manager, uninstall the Bluetooth adapter.
- Restart the PC.
- If Windows does not reinstall it automatically, in Device Manager select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Note: uninstalling the adapter is a higher-impact step because it temporarily removes Bluetooth until Windows reinstalls the driver.
- Check the AirPods battery.
- Charge them fully.
- Turn them off and back on, then try pairing again.
- For rechargeable audio devices, leaving them connected to power during pairing can help.
- Install Windows updates.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install any available updates.
- Restart the PC.
If the AirPods connect but audio still does not play correctly, make sure the device is connected and within range, and pause other Bluetooth activity if any is running.
References:
- [# Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/troubleshoot-bluetooth-not-connecting-in-windows)
- [# Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/bluetooth/fix-bluetooth-problems-in-windows#general-bluetooth-troubleshooting-in-windows-11)
- # Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows | Microsoft Support