Call to Arms for the dreaded U052 Wrong Printhead Error

[macnicol]

This is a "call to arms" for all of you Canon customers who have had this problem and have had their printers disabled because of it.  Please respond with the model of your printer and if you were able to fix it, what you did to fix it. 

We need to put pressure on Canon to respond this product defect.  It appears to be bad firmware that does not allow the user to override the problem and to continue to use the printer even in a degraded mode.  From my investigations the problem is NOT a printhead issue - no way one can be printing fine and then have this error alert without having changed the printhead or ink cartridges!

Canon, PLEASE take this issue seriously and provide a solution across the affected models.  If nothing else there should be a trade-in allowance for those printers that have been affected by this product defect.

I have had many Canon printers because they have superior functional specifications. I want to be able to continue using Canon products but only if I can have confidence that this product defect will not destroy my investment.

If Canon is unresponsive our next step should be to aggressively publisize this product defect on social media and on major product vendor outlet sites as negatives reviews.

Forum Users, please reply with your affected model number(s) and with details of any succdessful fix procedure.

[djvalder]

Thanks for the reply.. such a shame i bought canon because I use their camaras and have always been delighted,

It seems, to me,  to be a frimware problem not hardware so should be an easy fix if canon would take it seriously and stop sending out the clean and reset your print heads .. oh well i'll have t bite the bullet because i can't do without a working printer...

Doyou know if the suggested lawsuit came to anything?    

[wiredefx]

Just for all the newcomers. The U052 error does not mean that it is the actual print head. It actually means the printer cannot communicate with the print head. It is the printer with the problem, not the print head. An update that happened the past year or so caused this issue, from a driver or firmware update. Since some printers are wireless and has access to the internet 24/7, it could have happened without any knowledge. From my tests and reading others posts, there can be no fix. It's like a bad "bios" chip, it can't boot up to even receive an update to fix the problem.

DO NOT rush out and buy a printhead or new ink, this WILL NOT fix this issue. Like many many others in this forum said, buy a new printer.

Now let's see how long it takes canon to delete this post.

[ReverseEMF]

I urge everyone on this thread who has a printer with this issue to add a "review" of the model printer you own, everywhere possible.  For instance, Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, Office Max/Office Depot, etc.

If your model of printer is no longer being sold, then find the next generation of your model and do a "cautionary review" with language to this affect:

"I do not own this particular model, but do I own a previous model of the same line and it blah, blah, blah... you might want to look into this before purchasing this product.  Also, here is a list of Canon printers that have reportedly ceased functioning due to the U052 error: MG5320, MG5350, MP520, MP530, MP600, MP610, MP830, MP860, MP960, MP990, MP970, , MX700, MX882, MX860, MX870, MX892."

Suggestion: be factual - merely tell your story -- leave your feelings out of it.  They can't sue you for telling the truth.  Also, be sure to include any information/stories you have about Canon's inaction in your case--again, TELL THE TRUTH.

[thezillionthsue]

GRRRR, I have the same problem, but having got that UO52 error several times, the printer has gone berserk with random error messages, and now it's just (not) printing blank pages.

I have an MP970 and it's been quite well behaved up until now.

I'm seething.

But it's some (slight) consolation to see so many others with the same issue.

[Jeanette]

At least two class action lawsuits reported in the states.  Perhaps Canon will do something?  Not buying nor recommending any  Canon product until 'something' is done by and at the expense of Canon

[thezillionthsue]

I haven't updated firmware, and to the best of my knowledge my printer is not connected to the internet (unless it connects automatically when it connects to my laptop) so I don't understand how I suddenly have the same problem as everybody else.

My printer is six years old.but it was expensive and I would have hoped it would have lasted, being what I thought was a reliable make

[Aardvark]

Count yourself lucky to get nearly 6 years use out of your printer. Quite a few people get the "call to landfill" error message barely out of the first year waranty. Mine lasted about 18 months and had probably done less than 50 or 60 copies. I'll never buy another Canon product of any type.

[thezillionthsue]

Yeh I do count myself lucky - ish.

Doubt I will be buying Canon again either, except I have a load of f-ing compatible cartridges which I bought in bulk. But then they probably won't fit other Canon printers anyway GRRRR

[lucidisco]

I have te same problem  on Pixma MP610 model:error U052 Wrong Printhead.I buy another one [second hand] i switch printhead and it work but... only 1 page copy from scanner.After that same error.Reset printhead / ink cartridge do nothig...waste of time...an money.The problem is not from contacts .I printed the maximum 200 sheet af paper and 5-6 cd. My printer is six years old.but it was expensive and I would have hoped it would have lasted, being what I thought was a reliable make ..sorry for my poor english.I am from est Europe

[wiredefx]

If the printer connects to a computer with Internet or its setup on a wifi network with Internet, the printer will get its firmware updates with or without your knowledge.