A classic scenario: your headphones play music like a dream, but the moment you open Teams and start talking, nobody hears a thing. Your colleagues think you're staging a silent protest. In reality, Windows just decided your microphone wasn't interesting enough.
This is a common issue, and it doesn't mean your headphones are broken. It's usually about how your computer handles Bluetooth audio profiles.
Why doesn't the microphone show up?
Bluetooth headphones use two different profiles: A2DP is stereo audio for listening to music, and HFP/HSP is the call profile that includes the microphone. Windows sometimes only connects the A2DP profile, which means audio comes through to the headphones but the microphone gets left out of the party.
In other words, your computer recognises the headphones as a music player but doesn't realise they've got a mic too. A bit like inviting your mate to a barbecue but forgetting to tell them the address.
Sometimes the headphones show up in Windows Bluetooth settings under "Other devices" instead of going into the "Audio" category. This also points to an incomplete profile connection.
How to fix it
- Remove the device pairing completely. In Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Find VMK25, click the three dots and select "Remove device".
- Reset the headphones. Plug a 3.5mm AUX cable into the headphones and unplug it. This resets the Bluetooth circuit.
- Restart your computer's Bluetooth. Turn off Bluetooth in Windows settings, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on.
- Put the headphones in pairing mode. Hold down the MFB button until you hear the pairing tone and the light starts flashing.
- Reconnect. Let Windows find the headphones. Wait for the connection to fully complete – don't panic, just let Windows do its thing all the way through.
- Check your sound settings. Go to Settings > System > Sound. Under "Input", VMK25 should now appear. Select it as your microphone.
- Check app-specific settings. Teams, Zoom, and Discord all use their own audio settings. Go into the app's settings and select VMK25 as the microphone there too.
If the headphones still end up in the "Other devices" category instead of the "Audio" section, try this as well:
- Open Device Manager, find VMK25 under "Bluetooth" or "Other devices"
- Right-click and select "Uninstall device"
- Restart your computer and pair the headphones from scratch
Windows Bluetooth drivers are a bit like the postal service – they work in principle, but sometimes need a gentle reminder.
A note on microphone audio quality
When the Bluetooth microphone is active, audio goes through the HFP profile. This means your listening audio quality drops for the duration of the call. That's a Bluetooth technology limitation, not Valco's fault. There simply isn't enough bandwidth to run stereo audio and a microphone simultaneously at full quality.
If you use your headphones a lot for computer calls and want a better mic, the VMK25.2 has an optional wireless boom microphone available as an accessory. That's a whole different league.
If nothing helps
If the microphone refuses to show up no matter what you try, drop us a message at info@valco.fi. Let us know what computer you have, which Windows version you're running, and what you've already tried. A screenshot of your Bluetooth settings helps us help you faster.
In rare cases, the problem is with your computer's Bluetooth chip rather than the headphones. Quick test: if the mic works on your phone but not on your computer, the issue is on the computer's end. If it doesn't work on either, we'll take the headphones in for service in Kajaani – Jasse and the crew will sort it out.
