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.

[macnicol]

Does anyone know what internal part failure, other than the printhead, can cause this error code?  Would like to fix my MP960 using parts from other MP960s if possible.

[macnicol]

This is what I've been able to find so far. 19 posts in 2 of the forums. These represent 36,989 views of the same U052 problem! 16 different models have reported problems:

MG5320
MG5350

MP520
MP530
MP600
MP610
MP830
MP860
MP960
MP990
MP970

MX700
MX882
MX860
MX870
MX892

Where is the Canon Product Quality Assurance Department?  This product deficiency should be investigated and a robust solution provided to the thousands of affected Canon loyal customers.

What is your response Canon?  Doesn't this warrant a firmware update to correct this product deficiency?

Is it time for a class action law suit?

1- U052 Printhead Problem MX870
by chdevers in Printer/Multifunction Support
Stopped printing while in the middle of a big job with full ink tanks, then when turned back on, gave the dreaded U052 print head error message.  I have tried everything given by Canon to re-start...

Show results in replies (5)
‎05-30-2013 06:19 AM
11 Replies
3893 Views

2- my canon mx892 will not print because of error U05...
by markmarn in Printer/Multifunction Support
our canon mx892 will not print due to error U052.  i followed all of the suggested steps for this problem related to an MX700 but it did not correct the problem. now what?

Show results in replies (4)
‎08-10-2013 05:48 PM
4 Replies
1672 Views

3- MG5320 U052 Error
by JimCarey in Printer/Multifunction Support
I have had the MG5320 printer for just over a year now. Everything has been working brilliantly until recently. I am now getting an error: "U052: The type of printer head is incorrect. Install...

Show results in replies (2)
‎11-01-2013 04:13 PM
2 Replies
488 Views

4- My canon MP600 will not print due to error message...
by Shelby27 in Printer/Multifunction Support
Error message - The type of print head is incorrect - install the correct print head. I have not changed the print head - all lights are solid red with the exception of M and C. When you remove them ...

Show results in replies (1)
‎12-30-2013 06:17 PM
1 Reply
190 Views

5- Error code u052 on pixma mg5350, says print head n...
by Dendou in Printer/Multifunction Support

‎09-29-2013 08:15 AM
571 Views


6- mp830
by mags in Printer/Multifunction Support
I keep receiving an error on the screen of my mp830 that says:  Install the correct print head. This started since I put in new ink in all but one ink well...which is the number 5 one, the biggest on...
    •    Tags:
    •    U052

Show results in replies (1)
‎05-24-2013 05:52 PM
3 Replies
1070 Views

7- MP610 no longer printing color
by steger in Printer/Multifunction Support
My MP610 has been working reliably and well for years.   Then... I received a U052 error ("type of print head incorrect"). By removing the print head and cleaning it with hot water, the...

Show results in replies (1)
‎01-28-2014 12:22 PM
1 Reply
137 Views

8- MP830 printhead error message
by Maryruthmarks in Printer/Multifunction Support
After I put in a large black cartridge in my MP830 printer, it comes up with a message saying  "The type of printhead is incorrect.  Install the correct print head"   I did nothing differen...
    •    Tags:
    •    U052
Show results in replies (1)
‎02-01-2014 08:10 PM
1 Reply
41 Views

9- MP520 Print Head Problem
by vf32 in Printer/Multifunction Support
I  tried to print but got the message, "The type of print head is incorrect. Install the correct print head"

Show results in replies (2)

10- Error message on my MX700 Printer: U052 This type ...
by jdegann in Personal Printers
I got this after installing new ink - it worked just a bit and then when I turned printer off and on, got this msg.  I took out cartridges and head, put them back in, and no change.
    •    Tags:
    •    choc1970
    •    U052

Show results in replies (5)
‎11-28-2012 09:16 AM
19 Replies
20152 Views

11- Getting U052 (type of printhead incorrect) on my P...
by Islander in Personal Printers
I'm getting a U052 error message on my Pixma MP610 printer.  It reads "The type of printhead is incorrect. Install the correct printhead."  I replaced an ink cartridge that was running low...

Show results in replies (1)
‎09-01-2013 12:20 PM
1 Kudos
1 Reply
3703 Views

12- U052 error message on my Pixma MP610 printer
by corhoe in Personal Printers
It reads "The type of printhead is incorrect. Install the correct printhead. Whats the solution?   corhoe

Show results in replies (2)
‎01-25-2014 05:12 AM
2 Replies
167 Views

13- Call to Arms for the dreaded U052 Wrong Printhead ...
by macnicol in Personal Printers
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 y...
    •    Tags:
    •    U052

Show results in replies (1)
‎01-30-2014 10:13 AM
1 Reply
83 Views

14- Canon MX700 error message U052, then 5200
by SKS1971 in Personal Printers
Recently, after installing a new black print cartridge, I received the error message U052. I followed the trouble shooting suggestions. After turning printer back on, now I get error message 5200...

Show results in replies (1)
‎02-28-2013 11:52 AM
1 Reply
925 Views

15- Canon MP990 U052 - print head is incorrect
by jaj in Personal Printers
I have taken the print head out and placed back into the printer - then replaced all ink cartridges - turned printer off - unplugged printer for 10 minutes then turned back on.  This error message ke...

Show results in replies (1)
‎08-15-2013 04:38 PM
1 Reply
463 Views

16- error message u052 canon mx882- printer worked fin...
by ddodds in Personal Printers
Canoon mx882 error message u052 printer and scanner have worked great.  Thought i should do some maintence since in 3 years i had never done it. cleaned roller tested ink heads everything ok   thgen...
    •    Tags:
    •    U052

Show results in replies (2)
‎04-09-2013 09:18 AM
2 Replies
1436 Views

17- how to fix a message from cannon mp530 "check cart...
by gsecondez in Personal Printers
hi, i have a cannon mp530 printer.  it stopped printing and a message showed "check cartridge U052". all of the ink cartridge still have ink and none of them are blinking.  can you please...

Show results in replies (1)
‎08-23-2013 11:34 PM
1 Reply
800 Views

18- Any new help on fixing U052 error on MX860?Reinsta...
by eddytsang in Personal Printers
I have been using this printer for a while.  No change and it just come out with this error.  Is it time to get a new printer? Try the restall print head method.  no luck. Any other suggestions?   Th...

‎01-18-2014 10:27 AM
99 Views


19- My MP970 printer won't print.
by sasa in Personal Printers
 My MP970 printer won't print.  The message says the type of print head is incorrect.  Install the correct print head.  This is the second time in two months this problem arose.  Last time it just st...

Show results in replies (1)
‎07-31-2013 11:02 AM
2 Replies
1097 Views

[n5mj]

MG5220 I've had for a few years, went through it's original tanks recently, suddenly comes up with this U052 error. The printer/scanner worked great. Even duplexed.

Too bad Canon seems to have put crippleware in the printer.

I replaced the empty tanks with oens from Sophia Global. They worked fine for a month.  All tank lights lit up, no flashers, photo quality print all the way. 

Then U052 and the entire printer is useless. Multiple repeat print head reseating, tanks reseating, power cycling, unplugs, all the "solutions" resulted in.... U052.

Very surprised, and disappointed in this boneheaded crippleware nonsense.

Hope this can be resolved. If the printer needs replaced, it will *not* be with a Canon printer.

[syd50]

I am new and cannot work out how to use the forum. Please assist if you can. Messages show only partly.

I have the notorious errors U051 and U052 on my MP610 and obviously this is a problem of long standing.

Has there been any response EVER from Canon? If so, what?

[macnicol]

This is the best Canon has to offer, which seldom, if ever, works:

To try and resolve the U052 error, please remove and then reseat all of the ink tanks and print head in the unit. Next, please turn off the printer, unplug the power cord from the back and leave it out for at least 10 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it back on.

If the U052 error persists after following the steps above, the printer will require servicing. Please click on the Contact Us link below to obtain your servicing options if needed.

This didn't answer your question or issue? Find more help at Contact Us .

[DiannaMoy]

Let me know when you're ready to file!  Count me in!

[athesen]

I told the whole sorry tale about my Canon Pixma 560 ... which ended with me sending my printer to the e-recycler as the scan function did not work with the "printhead error". I have bought a new different printer and am, for the moment, happy. I think this is a shocking response from Canon and it will be a long time before I recommend or buy another. So count me in even if I am far away in Cape Town, South Africa.

[Julius]

Hi macincol!

Please follow the steps HERE to reseat your print head. If this error remains, a print head replacement or repair may be needed.

Please CONTACT our technical support group for further assistance.

[DiannaMoy]

Hey, Canon-

The reseat instructions have been posted SOOOO many times!  Not to be mean about it, but it should be obvious that the procedure is not working, and that you (Canon) have a major problem with the printhead/circuitry on so many models. 

The printer I bought was less than 4 months old and had just indicated it needed ink.  I spent the money to get new cartridges and this error occurs.  Not only have I wasted money on the cartridges, you want to charge for repairs?? With the track record that I see with this issue, you should be recalling the printers and fixing the problem for free.