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.

[GuzCanon]

Just got the dreaded 1403 error message on my pixma MX922 printer!!!
“The type of print head is incorrect. Install the correct print head”.
First time I’ve ever had this message. Any resolves?

[ArthurJ]

Hi GuzCanon,

You can try performing a reset of the printer. While the printer is on, unplug the power cord from the printer and let it sit for 60 seconds. While the power is off, press the power button 5 times. After 60 seconds plug the power cord back in and power on the printer.

If that does not resolve the issue, the print head has failed. You can order parts through our Parts department. Please note that items purchased directly from our parts department are not returnable and there is a chance that it will not correct the issue you are currently experiencing.

For the price and availability of parts, please contact the Parts department below by calling them directly at 1-866-481-2569 between the hours of 9 AM to 7 PM (ET) Monday to Friday.

You also qualify for the Canon Upgrade Program. You can order parts through our Parts department. Please note that items purchased directly from our parts department are not returnable and there is a chance that it will not correct the issue you are currently experiencing.

Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

[P_Rapley]

Dear Guz,

If you read back over the many years of posts, you'll see that this is not so much a malfunction as an arbitrary limit that Canon has programmed into these printers.

You should be very cautious before parting with more money, especially if a Canon employee is advising you to do so.

Don't just take my advice on this - look back over the thousands of angry postings.

Like many others, I junked my machine, even though it had been a fine printer until the "error" message appeared - it's not an error, but a built-in machine killer of which Canon is perfectly aware.

Change the manufacturer. I went for Epsom. Quality of printing not quite as good, but Canon have lost my custom - no purchases of any kind from them for five years, approx, even though I used to rate them quite highly.

There was a class action, I believe, many years ago.

Poor corporate management, I guess. It'll bring them down eventually, to the regret of their employees.

Good luck

Paul Rapley

[GuzCanon]

😔 Sadly, Arthur J, it did not work. Thanks for the assist but this printer is being put out to pasture. Sad to say, I will not be getting another Canon. Very disappointed in the printer that failed and the solutions suggested.

[GuzCanon]

Hey Paul Rapley, thanks for your valued input and assist. Luck was not on my side. Unfortunately, reset didn’t work. Sad to hear that this has been going on for so long and Canon does not seem interested to solve the problem that they created. Ironically, I purchased the Canon to replace an HP after quite a lot of years with them. They used to be great and then down hill it went. I am officially giving up on the cartridges and going laser with Brother!
Thanks again Paul for reaching out. Stay well. Maggie

[rug_rat]

Well, this is depressing. I just wanted to scan some pages and I find the Pixma MG5320 is a brick. Never buying another Canon product. Amazing that this problem goes as far back as 2013 and 7 years later there still is no fix for it. Shame on you Canon. SHAME.

[andreasng]

I have this. 

I just want to scan but Canon crippleware hinders me!!! This is outrageous. I don't care if I can print! 

[andreasng]

Hey. My mp520 has this and I just want to do a scan. So the print head doesn't matter.
Can you tell me how to get the scanning going again? Thanks in advance. 🙂

[rug_rat]

Sorry Charlie,...Canon wants you to buy a new printer head or,...A BRAND NEW CANON PRINTER!!!! I posted just before you with the same problem. Just wanted to scan something to e-mail it and no such luck. Canon sux.

[andreasng]

It's incredible. I'm utterly flabbergasted that Canon allows this hardware philosophy to exist in their products. 

I understand the printer complains about print head if I want to print... But to complain about print head when all I want to do is scan is down right evil. 

I'm disgusted frankly.