If you have successfully paired your AirPods with your Windows 11 PC, but you can’t hear any sound from them, you might be wondering what’s wrong and how to fix it. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many users have reported this issue and there are some possible solutions you can try.
Possible Causes of AirPods No Sound Issue
There are several factors that could be causing your AirPods to connect successfully to your Windows 11 device but not produce any sound, such as:
- Your AirPods are not set as the default audio device for playback and recording.
- Your Bluetooth drivers are outdated or corrupted.
- Your Windows 11 system is not updated to the latest version.
- Your AirPods firmware is not updated to the latest version.
- Your AirPods are damaged or low on battery.
- There are compatibility issues between your AirPods and Windows 11.
How to Fix AirPods No Sound Issue on Windows 11
Depending on the cause of the problem, you can try different methods to resolve it. Here are some troubleshooting tips you can follow:
Set Your AirPods as the Default Audio Device
One of the most common reasons why your AirPods are connected but not producing sound is that they are not selected as the default audio device for playback and recording. To fix this, you need to:
- Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.
- Under Output, click on the drop-down menu and select your AirPods as the output device.
- Under Input, click on the drop-down menu and select your AirPods as the input device.
Alternatively, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + K to open the quick settings panel and select your AirPods from there.
Update Your Bluetooth Drivers
Another possible reason why your AirPods are not working properly is that your Bluetooth drivers are outdated or corrupted. To update them, you need to:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
- Expand the Bluetooth category and right-click on your Bluetooth adapter.
- Select Update driver and choose Search automatically for drivers.
- Wait for Windows to find and install the latest drivers for your Bluetooth adapter.
- Restart your PC and check if your AirPods are working.
If Windows can’t find any drivers for your Bluetooth adapter, you can also try downloading them from the manufacturer’s website and installing them manually.
Check for Windows Updates
Sometimes, your AirPods might not work well with Windows 11 because your system is not updated to the latest version. Windows updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can enhance the compatibility and performance of your devices. To check for Windows updates, you need to:
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on Windows Update in the left pane and then click on Check for updates in the right pane.
- If there are any updates available, click on Download and install and follow the instructions to complete the update process.
- Restart your PC and check if your AirPods are working.
Update Your AirPods Firmware
Another factor that could affect the sound quality of your AirPods is their firmware version. Apple regularly releases firmware updates for its devices to fix bugs and improve features. To update your AirPods firmware, you need to:
- Make sure your AirPods are in their charging case and connected to a power source.
- Make sure your iPhone or iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi network and has Bluetooth turned on.
- Place your iPhone or iPad near your AirPods charging case and open it.
- Go to Settings > General > About on your iPhone or iPad and tap on your AirPods name.
- Check the firmware version of your AirPods and compare it with the latest version available on Apple’s website.
- If there is a newer version available, wait for a few minutes until your AirPods update automatically.
Check Your AirPods Battery and Hardware
Sometimes, the simplest explanation for why your AirPods are not working is that they are low on battery or damaged. To check your AirPods battery level, you can:
- Open the lid of your AirPods charging case near your iPhone or iPad and wait for a pop-up window to show their battery status.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen to open the Control Center and tap on the battery widget to see their battery status.
- Ask Siri “How is the battery on my AirPods?” and wait for the answer.
To check your AirPods hardware, you can:
- Inspect your AirPods and their charging case for any physical damage, such as cracks, dents, or debris.
- Clean your AirPods and their charging case with a soft, dry cloth and remove any dirt or wax from the speaker grills and the charging contacts.
- Test your AirPods with another device, such as a smartphone or a laptop, and see if they work normally.
If your AirPods are low on battery, charge them for at least 15 minutes before using them. If your AirPods are damaged, contact Apple support or visit an Apple store for repair or replacement.
Troubleshoot Compatibility Issues Between AirPods and Windows 11
Finally, if none of the above methods work, you might be facing some compatibility issues between your AirPods and Windows 11. This could be due to some software glitches or incompatibilities that prevent your AirPods from working properly. To troubleshoot this, you can:
- Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 11 by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Bluetooth and clicking on Run.
- Reset your AirPods by holding the button on the back of their charging case for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber and then white.
- Unpair your AirPods from Windows 11 by going to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and clicking on your AirPods name and then on Remove device.
- Pair your AirPods with Windows 11 again by following the steps in this guide.
Conclusion
AirPods are great wireless earbuds that can work well with Windows 11, but sometimes they might encounter some issues that prevent them from producing sound. In this article, we have covered some of the possible causes and solutions for this problem. We hope that one of these methods has helped you fix your AirPods no sound issue on Windows 11. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.
AirPods Connected but No Sound on Windows 11: Troubleshooting Tips
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Check for Windows updates | Install the latest patches for new features and bug fixes |
| Set AirPods as the default device | Configure the sound settings to choose AirPods for both input and output |
| Restart the Bluetooth Support service | Restart the service that enables Bluetooth devices to work on PC |
| Update your Bluetooth driver | Install the latest driver for your Bluetooth adapter to ensure compatibility |
| Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter | Use the built-in tool to diagnose and fix Bluetooth issues |
| Run the Audio Playback troubleshooter | Use the built-in tool to diagnose and fix sound issues |
| Adjust Audio Balance | Make sure the left and right channels are balanced in the sound settings |
| Factory Reset AirPods | Reset your AirPods to factory settings by holding the button on the case |
| Update the AirPods’ Firmware | Connect your AirPods to an iOS device and check for updates in Settings |