AirPods Connected but No Sound on Windows 11? Fix Output Device Fast, by TechFix Guides on YouTube. 3 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Click the speaker icon in the taskbar at the bottom right of your screen. This opens the quick audio output selector.
Look down the list of playback devices and click your AirPods. If they show up twice, pick the Stereo entry for music and video, not the Hands-Free one.
If the AirPods are not in the quick list, click Sound settings or More volume settings to open the full Settings app on the System, Sound page.
On the Sound page, open Output and set your AirPods as the default device. Play a short clip to check where the sound goes.
Check the main volume slider is up and not muted. Open Volume Mixer and raise the slider for the app you are using, like Chrome or Spotify, if it is low or muted.
Open Settings, Bluetooth and devices. Click the three dots next to your AirPods, choose Disconnect, wait a few seconds, then click Connect.
If there is still no sound, click Remove device. Put the AirPods in the case with the lid open, hold the button on the back until the light flashes white, then pair them again.
Play a video or song and confirm the sound comes from the AirPods. Keep them set as the default device so Windows stops switching back to the speakers.
Tips and common mistakes
Windows often lists AirPods twice, so a silent video usually means the wrong entry is selected rather than a broken headset.
Check the output device first, before reinstalling drivers or resetting anything, because the wrong device is the most common cause.
Keep the AirPods close to the laptop and out of the case while you test, or they may drop the connection.
Charge the case if the light does not flash white when you hold the pairing button.
Questions
Why do my AirPods show as connected but the sound plays through the laptop speakers?
Windows is still using the laptop speakers as the output device. Pick the AirPods in the taskbar sound menu or in Settings, System, Sound, Output.
Should I choose AirPods Stereo or Hands-Free?
Choose Stereo for music and videos. The Hands-Free entry is meant for calls and usually sounds much worse.
Do I need to reset my AirPods?
Not usually. Remove the device in Windows and pair it again first, and only reset the AirPods if that does not work.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
