Windows 10: AirPods Paired as Headphones and not Headset

My Airpod Pros were connected to my laptop running Windows 11 but they were only added as "Headphones" and not a "Headset" meaning I cannot use the mic. I can't seem to add a screenshot to this post but within my sound settings >> more settings, I've only got headphones in my playback.I have already tried updating the drivers, disconnecting and repairing the device and restarting my laptop multiple times. I've seen a similar thread recently and they've just resolved this issue by disconnecting and repairing the Airpod Pros but my issue doesn't seem to resolve itself the same way.The

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Do Apple Airpods work on Windows 10? I think not.

There's another post here that supposedly answers this same question. Incorrectly, I believe. It says you can use Apple Airpods on a Windows 10 computer. But all it explains is how to pair them. I just got a pair of Airpods. I can get them to work
as headphones but not as a headset. They show up in Windows as a headset but when the headset is selected as playback device, no sound is transmitted to the Airpods.

 

AirPods Pro problems between "Headset" and "Headphones" in Win10

Before re-installing Win10 Pro (20H2, v.2) last night my AirPods Pro worked like a charm: clear sound, full range from treble to bass. I could use the squeeze/tap functions to pause audio, jump tracks forward/reverse.

After re-installing Win10 last night my AirPods Pro are misbehaving. I noticed a steep decline in audio quality (sounds like a 1950s AM radio) and couldn't use the squeeze/tap functions.

Windows shows two AirPods items -- both in Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Manage audio devices and on the Speakers icon in the taskbar notification area:
Headphones - AirPods Pro Stereo
Headset - Airpods Pro Hands-Free AG Audio
With the "Headphones" selected: I get the audio quality I had before: clear with full range of sounds, but I don't get the squeeze/tap functions.

With the "Headset" selected, I get the horrendous audio quality, but I get the squeeze/tap functions. Windows says all the correct and current drivers are installed.

I uninstalled all the AirPods entries from Device Manager and rebooted, but they reinstalled with the same situation.

How can I get what I had before re-installing Win10: (a) clear, full-range sound and (b) able to use the squeeze/tap functions?

 

AirPods paired but won't connect.

Hi,



Thank you for replying.



I would suggest you to refer the steps mentioned below and see if that helps:

1. Press Windows Logo key + X, and select
   Device Manager.
   
2. Expand, Human Interface Devices.
   
3. Look for AirPods Audio/Video Remote Control HID and
   AirPods Hands-Free Call Control HID, right click on each entry and select
   Properties.
   
4. Go to the Power Management Tab, clear the checkbox for
   Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
   
5. Also, repeat step 4 for Bluetooth Low Energy GATT compliant HID.
   
6. Click on OK.
   

Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator