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.

[Mamagull]

Here we are - this forum is now 16 months old, has 820 messages and uncounted people totally pissed off.  One thing that I've noticed is how frequently the error message has appeared just after new ink cartridges are installed.  Could there be a connection?  Gouge us for the ink, then double or nothing after that.  HOW unproffessional, narrow-minded and money-grubbing.

I have 2 dead Canon printers (one my husband's, the other mine), both of which were less than 2 years old when the U052 message appeared.  I deeply resent that I have spent a small fortune on ink cartridges that can't be returned and can't be used anywhere else, I also resent that Canon has no honorable answer for any of us.

I warn anyone that I see looking at Canon printers in the store - shoppers and clerks alike.  There has to be something else that can be done.......... 

[DB55]

My second Cannon printer just died within a year of purchase. I'm taking it back to Costco. I won't buy another Cannon product. This is crazy!

[wiredefx]

You mean, 820 messages that haven't been removed by an admin.

[Aardvark]

A very good point. Probably closer to a thousand counting all those posters who dared to approach the truth too closely.

[Weave]

I just experienced the same situation and problem. I spent $70 + on new print cartridges. replaced two, printed four pages and now I get the error U052 "this type printhead is incorrect. Install the correct printhead". My printer is a Canon MX860.. It had actually been a pretty good machine except for the cost of the cartridges until the rejection of the new ones.

[Lester-DXB]

You can add me to your list with an MP640 and an error 052 which won't go away, despite trying everything given as advice by Canon on-line. Lester Dubai.

[GG]

My MX892 got the 052 error couple of weeks ago. How many hours have I spent trying to find a solution (from calls to Canon Service to scouring forums like this and those "fixit" service "experts" who are cluless). The options I've received:

First, do that careful removal and re-install. Hah! Thanks, Canon!

Then, do that careful cleaning of the contacts. Nope.

Junk it.

Buy a new MX922, which has no (very useful for check printing) gravity feed rear tray.

Buy a new printhead for about $100 with no guarrantee if it doesn't work.

Buy a refurb printhead which prints black only (don't ask me how).

Everthing was going so well for 14 months. I just cannot put this possibly salvageable printer on the street. It offends me. So I'm going to revert to monochrome and take a chance on that refurb ($20 at Ali-express, free shipping and they claim they will take it back if it doesn't work). I use this for office work and use dedicated Epsons for color printing scanning.

As we're all aware, these machines are merely containers for expensive ink cartridges. It's a pity they couldn't be made better, or covered by a re-call policy, even if it cost a little more.

[Rory]

I have a new Canon MX895 that continues to have the error code U052 even after I've reset, cleaned and turned off the printer. I would like to think that this was an easy solution to fix but unfortunately it requires that I do not have a reliable printer as well as driving for and waiting for over 2 hours to get it fixed after paying for this privilege.
We now live in an environment where profit margin is more important than services or people.
Please Mister or Misses/ Miss can you solve THIS problem?

Kind Regards,

Rory

[pagiles]

Just wasted over $100 on a replacement print head.  Made no ddifference,  still got the dreaded 0051 message.   Last canon printer I am going to buy  and I will mke sure none of my friends buys one either. Mx 700 down the drain and mp 700 like wise.  I am really peed off  Phil

[Aardvark]

I am sorry you had to find out the hard way, but if you had taken the time to read the previous posts here you would have known that buying a new printer head would not work. Others have tried and others have cried.