Airpods PRO won't pair with my Dell laptop.

Question

Cannot pair my Airpods PRO with my dell laptop. They paired fine last week and still work with all my other devices. When I try to discover them they do not show up.

Answer 1

Hi, let me help you with this issue.

Have the lid open (the white pairing light will not turn on if the lid is closed).

Press and hold the button until the white light starts flashing.

On your computer, click Add device.

Wait for the device to appear and connect.

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order:

1. Put AirPods Pro into pairing mode
   • Place both AirPods in the charging case.
   • Open the lid and keep it open.
   • Press and hold the button on the back of the case until the LED starts flashing white. This means they are discoverable.
2. Turn Bluetooth off and on in Windows 11
   • Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
   • Turn Bluetooth off, wait about 10 seconds, then turn Bluetooth on again.
3. Remove any existing AirPods entry and re-add
   • In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, look under Audio for any existing AirPods/AirPods Pro entry.
   • Select it and choose Remove device.
   • Then select Add Bluetooth or other device.
   • Choose Bluetooth, wait for the AirPods Pro to appear in the list, then select them to pair.
4. Check for interference from other devices
   • Temporarily turn off Bluetooth on phones/tablets or other PCs that are already paired with the AirPods Pro so they do not auto-connect while pairing with the Dell laptop.
5. Check battery and retry
   • Make sure the AirPods Pro and case have charge.
   • Put them back in the case, close the lid for 15–30 seconds, then repeat step 1 and try pairing again.
6. Run through general Bluetooth troubleshooting if still not visible
   • Ensure the Dell laptop’s Bluetooth is working by pairing another Bluetooth device (mouse, speaker, etc.).
   • If other devices also fail to connect or be discovered, follow the Windows Bluetooth troubleshooting steps such as removing/re-adding devices, toggling Bluetooth, checking Windows Update, and restarting the PC.

If the AirPods Pro still never appear in the Add Bluetooth or other device list after these steps, use the manufacturer’s reset instructions for AirPods Pro and then repeat the pairing steps above.

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References:

• Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows
• Troubleshoot Bluetooth not connecting in Windows
• "Try again and make sure that the device is discoverable" error when you pair a Bluetooth device in Windows 8.1
• earbuds wont pair - Microsoft Q&A