The power button — that one button you press hundreds of times a year. At some point it may decide to take a day off. The VMK20’s right-ear MFB button (yes, we call it the 'mudafukin button' because it deserves it) handles power, calls, and playback. When it stops working, it feels bad. But no panic — let’s go through what you can do before you send the headphones on a vacation to Kajaani.
What went wrong?
There are a few typical reasons why the power button doesn’t work:
- Firmware is stuck. The headphones’ circuit has locked up in a state where the button doesn’t register. This is the most common reason and the easiest to fix.
- The button is mechanically worn. Four years of daily use means thousands of presses. Mechanical parts wear out — that’s physics, not bad design. Well, maybe a little of both.
- Moisture or dirt under the button. The fabric covering is stylish, but it collects moisture more readily than plastic. Sweat and dust can end up in the button mechanism.
How to fix it
Try these in order:
- Charge the headphones fully. Connect the USB-C cable and let them charge for at least an hour. Sometimes a low battery makes the button behave oddly.
- Reset using the AUX cable. Plug a 3.5mm cable into the port on the bottom of the headphones. This disconnects the Bluetooth circuit. Unplug the cable and try the power button again.
- Press the button properly. Sounds silly, but the MFB requires a clear press — not a tap, but an honest push. Hold it down for 3–5 seconds.
- Try the other buttons. If Vol+ and Vol- work normally but the MFB doesn’t, the problem is likely mechanical. If none of the buttons work, it’s a circuit board issue.
- Clean gently. Blow around the button with dry compressed air. Do not use water or cleaning agents.
If that doesn’t help
If the reset and charging don’t bring the button back to life, it’s a mechanical fault. This is where Valco’s own service in Kajaani comes in.
Send us:
- A photo of the headphones (just so we can see the general condition)
- Order number if available
- A brief description of the fault by email to info@valco.fi
If the headphones are within the warranty period (24 months from purchase), we’ll repair them free of charge. Outside the warranty — and four-year-old ones certainly are — we offer a repair package. With us, headphones are repaired, not thrown away. That’s what sets us apart from those big companies that think electronics are disposable.
VMK20 has served for many years and will serve many more once the worn part is replaced. While you’re at it, you can replace the pads too if they’re starting to look like veterans. Every repair funds 0.000001% of our Death Star — so in a way, you’re doing galactic charity.
