Windows 10: Cannot connect Airpods with Stereo, only Hands-Free Audio

Hello, I am able to connect my Apple Airpods to my desktop via my TP-Link Archer TX3000E Wifi/Bluetooth adapter. But for some reason I am only able to use the Hands-Free AG Audio source and not the Stereo source which has the much better audio quality. As shown in the picture the source shows up as Disconnected and when I right click and click "Connect" nothing happens. Troubleshooting I have attempted.- Uninstalling all bluetooth drivers and Airpods devices, reinstalling.- Rebooting PC and devices multiple times- Disabling the Hands-Free AG Audio source to see if it will switch to the Stereo

:)

 

Airpods connected but no sound

SOLVED: For me anyway...

I just managed to get mine working on Windows 10. Not sure if it will work for everyone, but seeing how we haven't gotten answers from MS on this, here is what I did.

Like most of you, the AirPods (gen 2 in my case) are paired and connected fine. If I have external speakers on and talk into my AirPod mics, that part works. However, Video, Music, and Game audio was not. After reading a few things online including this thread, I realized the whole time I was trying to "Set Default" on the AirPods for playback... I was picking the wrong one. When I paired them, 2 devices showed up under the Playback tab... "AirPods Stereo" and "AirPods Hands-Free AG Audio". Seeing the latter on the Recording tab, I assumed that was the Microphones on the AirPods. But it's actually both Recording and Playback. It seems "AirPods Stereo" isn't doing anything other than showing up in the Playback list.

Solution for me: Change the "AirPods Hands-Free AG Audio" to Default.

Everything worked after that. So ignore that "AirPods Stereo" device and set the default on both the Playback and Recording tabs to "AirPods Hands-Free AG Audio".

I hope this helps at least 1 of you out. I'm attaching a screenshot pointing to the correct device.

 

Airpods connected but no sound

THIS WORKED FOR ME! The audio quality however is terrible for me, is it the same for you? Compared to any other headset or speaker connected to my PC, the AirPods quality is abysmal. It works and I'm happy that something is coming out of em. Hope anyone who has them working can respond and thanks in advance.

 

Audio Issues - No recognized built in speakers and airpod stereo problems

Hello,

I've continually had issues with my computer in the past few months.

First the internal built in speakers are not longer even recognized as being part of the computer, the driver is still there, but there's nothing else on the computer that would show that it can play any audio without headphones.

Second, now my airpods are having issues. I used to have the option of whether I wanted to have the setting as either "Stereo" or "Hands Free". I prefer Stereo but it doesn't have the option anymore.

When I then go into sound settings (attached), it shows that it's there but won't let me connect. It's only there with the hands free option when the airpods are paired with the computer, if they aren't, but options go away but the stereo option always shows as disconnected now.

I've restarted my computer, I've reset and repaired my airpods, I've turned off the mic, everything. Nothing is helping.