How to Connect AirPods to a Windows Laptop

Can’t figure out how to connect AirPods to a Windows laptop? We’ll show you the way with an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide.

This post also describes how to remove AirPods from a Bluetooth list and provides troubleshooting should you run into unforeseen issues.

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Contents

Connecting your AirPods to a Windows laptop from HP
How to connect AirPods to a Windows laptop
How to connect and disconnect your AirPods to an HP Windows laptop
How to remove your AirPods from Bluetooth on your HP Windows laptop
Troubleshooting an HP laptop Bluetooth connection with AirPods
Handy Bluetooth shortcuts for Windows
Connecting your AirPods to an HP laptop

Connecting your AirPods to a Windows laptop from HP

Since the first-gen AirPods hit store shelves in December 2016, these sleek wireless earbuds have become one of the most sought-after Apple accessories. Their runaway success inspired other tech companies to follow suit. Big-name brands like Sony, Bose, Panasonic, and Sennheiser now offer competing Bluetooth buds.

Although AirPods provide optimal functionality on Apple computers, the earbuds will work on any Bluetooth-enabled device. That means you can connect your AirPods to virtually any Windows laptop from HP.

The Bluetooth pairing process is straightforward and need only be done once. After you’ve synced the two devices, you can rapidly connect-disconnect them anytime you like.

How to connect AirPods to a Windows laptop

Follow these steps to connect your AirPods to an HP Windows laptop.

1. Put the AirPods into their charging case

Close the case and wait a few seconds. Ideally, the AirPods should have at least 20% battery before you pair them to your laptop.

2. Open the AirPods case

Open the case and leave the AirPods inside while you follow the rest of these steps.

3. Press and hold the Setup button

The Setup button is the small, circular button on the backside of the case. Hold it down until you see the LED lights flashing on the inside (older AirPods) or front (AirPods Pro).

The Setup button puts the AirPods into pairing mode, an essential step for pairing any Bluetooth device.

4. Open the Start Menu

Click the Windows logo on your HP laptop to open the Start Menu on your laptop. With Windows 10, you’ll find it in the bottom left corner. Windows 11 users will see it in the bottom taskbar.

5. Go to Settings

Find the gear-shaped icon and click it to open Settings.

6. Open Bluetooth & devices

Windows 11 users should click Bluetooth & devices on the left-hand column. If you’re on Windows 10, click Devices on the Settings icon menu, then click Bluetooth & devices on the left column.

7. Add a new Bluetooth device

On Windows 10, click Add Bluetooth to other devices next to the grey plus icon. Windows 11 users must click the blue Add Device button within the Devices row.

8. Choose Bluetooth

A pop-up screen will give you the options of Bluetooth, Wireless display or dock, and Everything else.

Choose Bluetooth.

9. Select your AirPods

After a few seconds, a list of available Bluetooth devices will load on the Add a device window. Click the icon for your AirPods.

10. Click Done

A window will pop up, declaring, “Your device is ready to go.” Click Done.

11. Start listening to groovy tunes from your HP laptop

Or watch YouTube videos or whatever it is you were planning to do. Got other devices you need to connect to your HP laptop via Bluetooth? Just follow the same steps. This guide isn’t exclusive to AirPods - the same steps apply to all compatible Bluetooth devices on HP laptops.

How to connect and disconnect your AirPods to an HP Windows laptop

The earbuds should automatically connect when you pair your AirPods to your HP laptop.

If you want to play audio through your phone (or another device), you’ll need to disconnect the AirPods from your laptop first. And to start listening through your PC again, you’ll need to reconnect the AirPods.

But don’t worry. The disconnect-reconnect process is fast and easy - you’ve already done most of the legwork.

1. Open the Bluetooth menu on your laptop

Follow the steps outlined above.

In case you’ve forgotten, click the Start Menu and click Settings. Next, click the Bluetooth & devices icon on the left-hand column (Windows 11) or click Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices (Windows 10).

2. Click Connect or Disconnect

Find your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices and click the Connect or Disconnect button.

How to remove your AirPods from Bluetooth on your HP Windows laptop

You may decide to remove your AirPods from your HP laptop’s Bluetooth menu. The removal process is fast and straightforward.

1. Open the Start Menu

Click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner (Windows 10) or bottom taskbar (Windows 11) to open the Start Menu.

2. Open Settings

Look for the gear icon and click it to open Settings.

3. Open Bluetooth & devices

On Windows 10, click Devices, and then click Bluetooth & other devices. Windows 11 users need only click Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand column.

4. Remove your AirPods

On Windows 10, find your AirPods under the Audio tab and click Remove device.

On Windows 11, find your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth-connected devices at the top of the page. Click the three vertical dots, and then click Remove device.

If you want to reconnect your AirPods, follow the steps we provided in the How to connect AirPods to a Windows laptop section of this post.

Troubleshooting an HP laptop Bluetooth connection with AirPods

Still having trouble connecting your AirPods to your laptop? No need to dig up your HP warranty just yet. There’s a good chance you can fix the issue yourself.

The most common cause of a failed connection is a flat battery. Put your AirPods in their case and charge them up for a few hours before trying again.

AirPods sometimes have trouble syncing, especially when connected to multiple devices. The best way to rectify the issue is to perform a reset.

To reset AirPods and AirPods Pro:

Put the AirPods into their case and close the lid.
Wait 30 seconds and open the lid again.
Follow the steps in this post to remove your AirPods from the Bluetooth list and pair them again. Note: this is different to the connect-reconnect process.

To reset AirPods Max:

Press and hold the Digital Crown and Noise Control buttons, which you’ll find at the top of one of the ear coverings.
Continue holding these two buttons until an amber LED light flashes at the bottom of the same ear covering.
Alternatively, to return your AirPods Max to factory settings, press and hold the Digital Crown and Noise Control buttons for about 15 seconds until you see a white LED light.

If your AirPods work perfectly with any device except your HP laptop, there’s a good chance your PC is the culprit. Double-check that your Bluetooth is turned on. Failing that, Windows troubleshooter might help:

Click the Windows icon to open the Start Menu (bottom left corner for Windows 10 or bottom taskbar for Windows 11).
Click Updates & Security (Windows 10) or System (Windows 11).
Click Troubleshoot
Click Other troubleshooters
Click Bluetooth

With any luck, the troubleshooter will analyse and rectify the issue.

Handy Bluetooth shortcuts for Windows

Try the following shortcuts to save time when pairing or connecting a Bluetooth device in Windows.

On Windows 11:

Click Show hidden icons in the bottom right tray
Click Bluetooth Devices
Click Settings

On Windows 10 and 11:

Press Windows + A to open the action centre
Click the Bluetooth icon to toggle Bluetooth on or off
Alternatively, right-click the Bluetooth icon and click Settings

Connecting your AirPods to an HP laptop

Pairing your AirPods to a Windows laptop from HP is a fast, hassle-free procedure. And following the steps in this guide makes the process a whole lot easier.

Once you’re all paired up, you can rapidly connect and disconnect your device through the Bluetooth menu – pro tip: try using the action centre to cut down on clicks.

About the Author: Harry Stewart is a freelance content writer covering everything from travel to tech.