Airpods keep disconnecting from PC

Struggling with AirPods keep disconnecting from PC? This guide will cut through the frustration and directly address the fixes you need. Stay tuned for simple yet comprehensive steps to ensure a stable connection.

Key Takeaways

• Double-check that your AirPods have enough charge, as low battery can cause disconnections.
• Ensure your AirPods’ firmware is up to date for optimal performance and connection stability.
• If you’re having persistent issues, consider resetting your AirPods, managing your PC’s Bluetooth connections, or using a Bluetooth dongle for a more reliable connection.

Ensure Your AirPods Are Charged

Getting to the root of any problem starts from the basics. Ever noticed how your AirPods behave erratically when their power levels dip? 

Low battery can be a primary reason behind your AirPods disconnecting. Therefore, it’s crucial that your AirPods have enough charge before you use them. 

You can use a Qi-certified charging mat or the provided Lightning or USB-C cable that comes with your AirPods.

But, how would you know if your AirPods are fully juiced up? It’s simple. The charging case comes with a status light, which indicates the battery level. 

When your AirPods are fully charged, this light glows green. An amber light indicates less than one full charge remaining. 

So, next time you grab your AirPods for a call or a workout, take a quick look at this light. It could save you from unexpected disconnections mid-way.

Verify and Update AirPods Firmware

Just like your PC or smartphone, your AirPods also run on firmware, a type of software that’s integral to the functioning of the device. Your AirPods might keep disconnecting if the firmware is outdated or has glitches that need resolution.

Checking the firmware version of your air pods is pretty straightforward, whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Firmware updates happen automatically when the air pods are charging, within Bluetooth range of an Apple device, and when Wi-Fi is available.

If you don’t have an Apple device, you can update the firmware at an Apple Store or with an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or seek assistance from Apple Support.

Reset AirPods to Factory Settings

If your AirPods continue to disconnect despite having full battery and updated firmware, you may need to perform a factory reset. Resetting your AirPods reverts them to their original settings, solving various issues and preparing them for a fresh connection to devices.

Before you start the reset process, follow these steps:

1. Place your AirPods in the charging case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
2. For about 15 seconds, hold down the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber and then white.
3. Once this is done, remove your AirPods from the case.
4. ‘Forget This Device’ in your Bluetooth settings to clear their history.

Manage Bluetooth Connections on Your PC

Bluetooth is the critical connection between your AirPods and PC. If that magic seems to be waning, managing your Bluetooth connections on your PC might restore it. In Windows 10, you can enable or disable Bluetooth by going to Settings, selecting Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices, and toggling Bluetooth. If you’re on Windows 11, select the Network icon on the taskbar, choose the Bluetooth quick setting, or go to Settings, Bluetooth & devices, and toggle Bluetooth.

Sometimes, other Bluetooth devices connected to your PC can interfere with your AirPods’ signal, leading to unstable connections. So, it might be a good idea to disconnect other devices when using your AirPods with your PC.

A helpful tip might be to create a desktop shortcut for a quick connection to your AirPods. This can be particularly helpful in managing pairing and connection issues in multi-device environments.

Restart Your Computer

In the world of tech troubleshooting, the classic “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” advice often does the trick. Restarting your computer can refresh the system’s resources and resolve software glitches that may cause the AirPods to disconnect. It resolves underlying software conflicts that could be the reason behind the AirPods’ disconnection from the PC.

Moreover, if you’ve recently modified power management settings or other system settings, it’s essential to restart your computer to ensure those changes are implemented. And if you’re experiencing Bluetooth issues specifically, restarting your PC’s Bluetooth can sometimes rectify the problem without needing to restart the entire computer.

Utilize Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter

If restarting didn’t do the trick, it’s time to call in the big guns: Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter. It’s a powerful tool that can identify and fix common Bluetooth connectivity issues on a Windows PC.

Accessing the Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter is fairly simple. Here are the steps:

1. Select ‘Start’
2. Go to ‘Settings’
3. Choose ‘Update & Security’
4. Click on ‘Troubleshoot’
5. In the ‘Troubleshoot’ settings, select ‘Additional troubleshooters’
6. Locate and run the ‘Bluetooth’ troubleshooter under ‘Find and fix other problems’.

The Windows Bluetooth Troubleshooter will automatically scan for Bluetooth connectivity issues and attempt to fix them.

Keep Your Windows OS Updated

Regularly updating your Windows operating system is key to maintaining your PC’s performance, security, and compatibility with devices, including your AirPods. Windows updates can contain important fixes and improvements for Bluetooth stability and performance.

You can check for Windows updates by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the ‘Update & Security’ section of the Windows Settings menu.
2. Windows 10 and 11 even offer the option to automatically download and install updates, so you can set it and forget it.
3. Just be prepared for system restarts and multiple update cycles during the update process.

Upgrade Your PC’s Bluetooth Drivers

Bluetooth drivers are crucial as they facilitate communication between your PC and Bluetooth devices such as your AirPods and bluetooth headsets. Outdated or incompatible Bluetooth drivers can cause system slowdowns and impact Bluetooth connectivity, making it essential to have the correct drivers installed for devices like AirPods to function properly.

Checking the Bluetooth version installed on the PC through Device Manager can help verify if the currently installed drivers are outdated or have known connectivity issues. Existing Bluetooth drivers can be updated through Device Manager by right-clicking on the Bluetooth adapter and selecting the option to Update Driver.

Adjust Power Management Settings

To conserve energy, PCs may sometimes turn off unused devices or components, including your Bluetooth adapter. So, if your AirPods keep disconnecting, it may be worth taking a look at your PC’s power management settings.

In the Device Manager, follow these steps:

1. Select ‘Human Interface Devices’
2. Right-click on ‘Bluetooth Low Energy GATT compliant HID device’
3. Choose ‘Properties’
4. In the Power Management tab, uncheck the ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power’ option

This tweak can potentially help as the connection stabilizes between your PC and AirPods Pro.

Configure Bluetooth Support Service

Your PC’s Bluetooth Support Service can assist in ensuring a steady connection with your AirPods. By configuring the service settings to ‘Automatic’, you can improve connection stability.

You can access these settings by:

1. Pressing ‘Windows Key + R’
2. Typing ‘services.msc’
3. Searching for the service or by using the Services list via the Administrative Tools in the Control Panel

Once you’ve set the ‘Startup type’ to ‘Automatic’, apply the changes and restart the Bluetooth Support Service to confirm proper setup.

Address Telephony Service Interference

Are you aware that the Windows Telephony service, which manages phone calls, can occasionally disrupt Bluetooth services, leading to issues with AirPods connectivity? This is especially true if there are previous entries of AirPods in Windows Device Manager, which can cause incorrect device pairing and connection errors.

To resolve these issues, you need to access Device Manager and remove any residual entries related to your AirPods. Additionally, you might want to consider disabling the Windows Telephony service via the services.msc console to prevent these interferences and improve connection stability with AirPods.

Optimize PC Power Plan Settings

The power plan settings of your PC can likewise affect the connectivity of your AirPods. By optimizing these settings, you can strike a balance between power efficiency and performance, preventing your AirPods from disconnecting.

To adjust the Bluetooth power plan settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Bluetooth settings menu.
2. Click on ‘More Bluetooth options’.
3. Identify your Bluetooth adapter in the ‘Hardware’ tab of the power settings — which may be labeled as ‘Adapter,’ ‘Radio,’ or ‘Wireless’.
4. Customize its power consumption.

Modify Registry Entries

Unexpected disconnection issues can sometimes be traced back to registry entries related to AirPods connectivity. Modifying these entries can help resolve such issues. But before you start editing the registry, remember to back up your system’s registry to avoid any potential damage.

You can access the Windows Registry editor through the search function or the ‘Run’ dialog box. Once there, carefully edit the registry value related to AirPods connectivity. Remember, incorrect modifications can cause system instability, so proceed with caution.

Consider Using a Bluetooth Dongle

If all the previous steps have failed and your AirPods continue to disconnect, you might want to think about using a Bluetooth dongle. A Bluetooth dongle allows your PC to receive and transmit a Bluetooth signal, enhancing its capability to connect with Bluetooth devices such as AirPods.

Using a Bluetooth dongle can lead to a more stable connection between your AirPods and a PC, potentially reducing disconnection issues. So, if you’re tired of your AirPods constantly disconnecting, a Bluetooth dongle might be worth considering.

Summary

So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to troubleshooting why your AirPods keep disconnecting from your PC and how to fix it. We’ve covered everything from ensuring your AirPods are charged to considering a Bluetooth dongle. Armed with these tips, you’re now ready to enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted audio experience with your AirPods and PC. Happy listening!

Frequently Asked Questions