AirPods not pairing – flashing white light

My AirPods were working fine until I noticed the left one had stopped working. So I forgot the device and reset the AirPods but now they won’t connect to my iPhone at all. The only thing that happens is that the light flashes white. No matter how long I hold down the button on their AirPods case, nothing happens. I’ve tried charging them, resetting them, cleaning them, and I even called Apple who told me I had to send them in for repairs. Anyone else having this issue and does anyone know how to fix it?