AirPods location discrepancy on iPhone

My AirPods show at a location, but when I go there and play the sound, it says they are not connected however it will allow me to try to move closer to them but it just keeps saying they can’t connect. Does that mean they are at that location? We’ve searched high and low at that place with no luck and really don’t think that’s where they are at. I just need to know if it would show that message if they are really there.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]