Factory reset is a bit like life: sometimes a fresh start takes a couple of tries. If your headphones don't work as they should after the reset, you're not alone. This is one of our most common support requests, and the reason is usually surprisingly simple.
Why didn't the reset work?
The most common reasons for a failed factory reset:
- The process was interrupted too early. A reset requires holding a specific button combination down long enough. If you let go a second too early, the headphones will just restart and won't actually reset.
- Wrong PIN code. In some of our models, the reset requires a PIN code (usually 0000 or 1234). If the code is entered incorrectly, nothing happens.
- The battery was too low. If the headphones have less than 10% battery, the reset may fail. The device needs power to complete the process.
- The phone remembers the old connection. Even if the headphones reset successfully, your phone's Bluetooth memory still holds the old pairing. Then the devices get tangled when both think they know each other, but neither actually recognizes the other.
How to do the reset correctly
Do these in order. Calmly. In this case, haste is the enemy.
- Charge the headphones for at least 30 minutes. Plug in the charger and let them build up some power.
- Remove the old pairing from the phone. Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, find the headphones' name in the list, and select "Forget device" or "Remove pairing". This is the step that almost everyone forgets.
- Perform a factory reset according to the model-specific instructions. Each model resets slightly differently. Check the instructions for your model at valco.support — find your product there. Hold the buttons down for as long as the instructions say. Don't let go prematurely, no matter how much you want to.
- Wait. After the reset, let the headphones sit for a moment. Turn them off and power them back on.
- Pair from a clean slate. Put the headphones into pairing mode and connect them to your phone as if they were new.
Special tip for over-ear headphones
In older over-ear models (VMK20, VMK25) there's a classic trick: plug in an AUX cable and unplug it. This works as a kind of soft reset and solves a surprising number of problems. Try that before a full factory reset.
Special tip for earbuds
With NL25 and NL21 models, remember that both buds need to be reset. If you reset only one, they won't find each other. Place both buds in the case, close the lid, wait a moment, and start the process from the beginning.
If it still doesn't help
If you've tried everything above and nothing works, the problem may be hardware rather than software. Then it's time to contact us:
- Send an email to info@valco.fi
- Tell us which model it is
- Include the order number and preferably a photo of the device
- Briefly describe what doesn't work and what you've already tried
Our repair team in Kajaani will set things right. With us, devices get repaired, not tossed away — that would be coming out of the Death Star's budget.
And remember: a successful factory reset isn't a loss. It's a new beginning. A bit like moving to a new apartment, except you don't have to carry any stuff.
