airpods keep disconnecting from windows 10 laptop

okay so the other day i originally paired my airpods with my windows 10 laptop and they worked great, but now whenever i try to connect them the connection doesn't work; either it disconnects after a few seconds or the connection doesn't mean anything and music/videos play through the laptop speakers before the airpods disconnect. what is going on and how do i fix this problem? removing the device and repairing hasn't worked and it's the only advice i can find online