Can't re-add AirPods Pro after removing from Bluetooth menu

Question

My Apple Airpods Pro were working flawlessly this morning, but then my rig just refuses to talk to my team. They still showed up as linked initially, but wouldn't push any sound, so I wiped them from the Bluetooth menu to try syncing them from scratch. Now they won't add back at all, no matter how many times I hold the pairing button. I've followed every recomended fix out there to no avail. Sometimes the built-in Windows diagnostic throws a random error claiming I need a new driver, but I manualy checked both my system updates and device manager, and literally everything is on the latest version. Please help!

Answer 1

Hi Iris, let's focus on fully clearing the Bluetooth pairing cache, uninstalling the Bluetooth adapter and related hidden AirPods entries from Device Manager, then rebooting so Windows rebuilds the stack cleanly. If that still fails, the next likely causes are a corrupted Bluetooth service state, a bad recent Windows update, or interference from another paired audio device/app holding the audio endpoint.

Still need more detail? Feel free to leave a comment.

Answer 2

Use a two-part approach: fix the Bluetooth pairing state in Windows, then ensure the AirPods are in proper pairing mode and selected as the audio output.

1. Remove any existing AirPods entries and re-add
   1. Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
   2. Under Audio or Other devices, if any entry for the AirPods still appears, select it and choose Remove device.
   3. Select Add Bluetooth or other device.
   4. Choose Bluetooth, then put the AirPods Pro into pairing mode: place them in the case, open the lid, and hold the button on the back until the LED flashes white.
   5. When the AirPods appear in the list, select them to pair.
2. Power-cycle Bluetooth and the PC
   1. In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
   2. If pairing still fails, restart the PC: Start > Power > Restart, then try pairing again.
3. Confirm the AirPods are used for sound output
   1. Click the Sound icon in the taskbar and ensure the AirPods are selected as the output device.
   2. Or go to Start > Settings > System > Sound, and under Choose your output device, select the AirPods.
4. Update or reinstall Bluetooth drivers if diagnostics mention drivers
   1. Open Device Manager (select Start > type Device Manager > Enter).
   2. Expand Bluetooth, right-click the Bluetooth adapter, and select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
   3. If issues persist, in Device Manager under Bluetooth, right-click the Bluetooth adapter and choose Uninstall device.
   4. Shut down the PC completely, wait a few seconds, then power it back on so Windows reinstalls the Bluetooth driver automatically.
   5. If Windows does not reinstall automatically, in Device Manager select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
5. If still no connection
   1. Fully charge the AirPods and case.
   2. Turn the AirPods off and back on (place in case, close lid, wait, then retry pairing mode).
   3. Try pairing again via Add Bluetooth or other device.

If the AirPods still will not appear or connect after these steps, check the AirPods manufacturer guidance for any device-specific reset procedure and then repeat the remove/re-add process.

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References:

• Troubleshoot Bluetooth not connecting in Windows
• Fix Bluetooth connected but no sound issue on Windows
• Use a screen reader to fix Bluetooth problems in Windows
• earbuds wont pair - Microsoft Q&A