You plug in the cable, wait an hour, press the button – and nothing. No LED, no sound, no signs of life. The headphones just sit there on the desk like a sleeping dog that nothing can wake up. Sound familiar.
A USB-C charging issue is usually way more boring than it looks. The headphones themselves are rarely broken. Most of the time the culprit is the cable, the charger, or dust that's built up in the connector.
Why won't the VMK20 charge?
There are a few reasons, and it's worth going through them in order before declaring your headphones dead:
- The cable is rubbish. Not all USB-C cables are created equal. The cheapest ones barely charge your phone, let alone deliver enough juice to headphones. Some cables are data-only and won't charge anything at all.
- The power source is too weak or flaky. Your computer's USB port might cut power when the machine goes to sleep. A cheap charger can pull the same trick.
- There's lint in the connector. Pockets, bags, and desks – dust and lint build up in the USB-C port over time. The connector looks clean, but there's a tiny felt plug at the bottom blocking a proper connection.
- The battery has fully drained. If the headphones have been sitting dead for a long time, it can take a few minutes before charging kicks in and the LED lights up. Patience.
How to fix it
Go through these in order. Usually the problem is sorted by step 1 or 2.
- Swap the cable. Grab a different USB-C cable – preferably one you know charges another device. This alone fixes a surprising number of cases.
- Swap the power source. Try your phone's wall charger, a different USB port, or even a power bank. Avoid the front-panel USB ports on computers – they're often weak.
- Clean the USB-C port. Take a toothpick or a thin plastic tool and carefully dig out any lint from the bottom of the connector. Don't use metal – it can damage the contact pins. Give it a gentle blow afterwards.
- Give it time. Plug in the charger and wait at least 10 minutes. A completely dead battery might not show signs of life straight away.
- Do a reset. Plug a 3.5 mm AUX cable into the headphones and then unplug it. This cuts the Bluetooth circuit and can bring the device back to life. Try charging again after this.
While charging, the VMK20's LED should light up. If the LED is blinking or glowing steadily, the battery is charging. A full charge takes 2–3 hours.
If nothing works
If you've tried everything above and absolutely nothing happens – no LED, no sound, no reaction – it could be a faulty charging circuit or battery. Electronics break sometimes, there's just no way around it.
Shoot us an email at info@valco.fi. Include:
- Your order number or proof of purchase
- A photo of the headphones (so we can see the model and condition)
- A short description of what you've already tried
Our service team in Kajaani will fix the device. We don't throw headphones in the bin here – that's the whole point. If the warranty is still valid (24 months from purchase), the repair won't cost you a thing. Outside warranty, we offer a repair package that's still cheaper than buying new headphones.
And if swapping the cable sorted it out, great. You saved time, money, and one unnecessary email. Spend that saved time listening to music – that's what these things were made for.
