Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Microsoft 25 25 people found this article helpful How to Connect AirPods to a Microsoft Surface And what to do if they won't connect By Brad Stephenson Brad Stephenson Facebook Twitter Freelance Contributor Western Sydney University Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 26, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Microsoft Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware What to Know Open Settings and select Devices > Add Bluetooth & other devices > Bluetooth.Open the AirPods case and then select its name from the list of devices on your Surface.Press the sync button on the AirPods case until the sync process is complete. This article will walk you through the steps for how to connect your Apple AirPods to your Microsoft Surface and what to do when they aren’t detected or don’t pair correctly. These instructions apply to all Microsoft Surface models from the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro to the Surface Studio. How to Pair Apple AirPods to a Microsoft Surface Here’s what you need to do to make the initial pairing between your Surface and AirPods. Open the Windows 10 Action Center on your Surface. You can do this by swiping in from the right side of the screen or by selecting its icon in the Windows 10 taskbar. Check that Bluetooth is turned on. If Bluetooth’s turned off, select its icon from the Action Center, so it’s highlighted. Select All settings. Select Devices. Select Add Bluetooth & other device. Select Bluetooth. Open the AirPods’ case (keep the AirPods inside). Firmly press the button on the back of the AirPods’ case until the light on its front begins to flash. Doing this will make them discoverable by your Surface. Select your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices. If you've previously given your AirPods a custom name, that name should appear on this list. Select Done. Why Won't My AirPods Connect to My Surface Pro? There are several potential reasons your Apple AirPods aren’t connecting to your Surface Pro or other Surface devices properly. Bluetooth is disabled on your Surface. Turn Bluetooth back on via the Windows 10 Action Center. You connected the AirPods to something else. Apple AirPods often stay connected to the first synced device they detect when activated. Remove them from the other device or turn that device’s Bluetooth off to disconnect them. You connected your Surface to something else. Your Surface Pro might already be streaming audio to a speaker or pair of headphones. Disconnect that other device or turn it off. The batteries may be flat. Make sure to charge your AirPods daily, so they have plenty of battery life, and place them back in their case so they don’t accidentally turn on and use all their power when not in use. Your Surface isn’t seeing your AirPods. To fix this, place your AirPods in their case, close the lid, and then open it again. Windows 10 is glitching. Restart your Surface and run the Bluetooth troubleshooter. Go to All Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters to fix any potential Bluetooth problems. If that doesn’t work, there are some additional Windows 10 Bluetooth tips worth trying. Your AirPods could be fake. The chances of this happening are slim if you bought your AirPods from an Apple Store, but if you got them from a reseller, your AirPods could be fake or damaged. FAQ How would I connect AirPods to my Surface Pro 6? Connecting AirPods to a Surface Pro 6 involves the same steps as connecting AirPods to all other Surface models. Open Settings and select Devices > Add Bluetooth & other devices > Bluetooth. Open the AirPods case, and then select its name from the list. Press the sync button on the AirPods case until the sync process is complete. This article explains the process in detail. Can I connect my AirPods to a Windows tablet? Yes. The process is the same as connecting a pair of Bluetooth headphones. Open your AirPods charging case, press and hold the pairing button, launch Bluetooth on your device, select your AirPods, and then confirm the pairing. Learn more about pairing and connecting AirPods to a Windows 10 PC. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up! Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit