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.

[pmtfleming]

Today is March 9, 2014, purchased this printer just a few weeks over a year ago and had this error today - only error ever experienced.  VERY disappointed with Canon - it was a good printer but this is obviously a manufacturing issue, not a user issue.  Extremely clear to me that Canon printers should only be purchased during a VERY GOOD SALE.  This is my 3rd Canon not lasting past a few weeks over the year.

[kelchi]

This has been happening to me over the last few months, sometimes if i open and close the top it will work but as of today it is truly bust.

I am appalled at the response from Canon on here and as an artist who has always used Canon SLR cameras for my work and am due to upgrade in a few months, i will definately be looking at another brand for my investment, even though my Canon cameras have never been a disapointment, out of principle i will choose to spend my money elsewhere,

If this is how Canon treats their customers with their cheaper products then i will shop elsewhere.

I'm kind of glad in a way this has happened as if i had not come searching online for this error code i would be none the wiser to the level of customer service and how this problem is clearly a fault that requires product recall.

It speaks volumes about Canon and i will no longer reccommed them to my students, friends and faculty until they start to value their customers. Appalling.

[cheipel1]

MX860

I have tried this procedure too many times and it does not work.

I use my printer everyday for my Small Business in Richmond, VA. and now I can not print labels for tapes or shipping. I just bought all brand new cartigages that cost me $50 which are usless.

I do not plan to pay for a new print head because too many people say that it did not fix their problem.

I have always been a Canon fan.. but, i need to buy a new All-In-One machine this week to keep my business going and sadly, it will not be a Canon because of this error alone.

Thanks,

Chris

[syd50]

Seeing we all are frustrated by the lack of action by Canon I suggest we post warnings on our Facebooks, Twitters, etc to stay away from Canon printers. I just bought an All-in-One BROTHER at less then half of what I was quoted to fix my Canon MP610 (and that includes 4 cartridges). The way to go.....

[macnicol]

I replaced the printhead and it had no effect. I sent the printer to an authorized Canon repair facility and they said the problem was caused by a either a vacuum or full reservoir used for ink for head cleaning.  It would cost more to fix than a new printer and no guarantee how long the fix would last so I had them recycle it inplace.  Had full set of 7 ink cartridges and new head. Also have, at home, a full replacement set of ink cartridges for the MP960 if anyone is interested for a good price.

[RenuNergy]

After experiencing the Dreaded U052 Incorrect Print Head error on my relatively new Canon MG5320 Printer, I tried all the posted remedies and nothing worked.  I'm elated that I didn't purchase a replacement Print Head online and end up with a worthless piece of junk.  As I stated in a previous posting I've decided to abandon Canon as Printer Manufacturer that I will purchase from and after some research decided to purchase an Epson WF3540 All-In-One printer.  As a multiple Electrical Engineering degree holder, I know that this is a known design or manufacturing flaw. I wouldn't find it difficult to believe that this is a built-in-obsolescent scheme to encourage customers to purchase new Canon Printers. What the Printer Division and its management staff haven't realized is that the internet conjoins individuals who have experienced problems with their printers to voice their opinions.  I for one will not purchase any more Canon Printers in the future.  I can only hope that Epson hasn't followed in the same footstep as Canon in regards to their printer reliability. This segment has already engorged their wallets by charging us the price of a cheap printer for refill printer cartridges. I guess that wasn't enough profit for Canon so they decided to build in a failure mechanism into their printers. Sorry Canon, the word will spread and your printer Division will become extinct. 

[BobEngram]

My lightly used MG5300 is now a brick with the U052 error. What a waste of resources, time and money.

[plumlullaby]

Hi RenuNergy,  Just a word on possible problems with Epson printers. The reason I went to Canon in the first place was because I used to have an Epson printer. I didn't use my printer very often and every time I went to print, the print heads needed cleaning and servicing, wasting loads of ink. Eventually they just stopped working.  Although I am totally done with Canon after my not-very-old printer has become a useless piece of junk and I suspect, as you say, that Canon builds in this obsolescence, I have to say that the Canon printer had no trouble printing after it had not been used for a while.

I'd be interested to know if Epson printers have improved in this area and would love to hear back from anyone that has experience with them as I too am looking to replace the Canon with anything but Canon.  I'm not impressed with their 'kind' offer to give me a 'good' price on a new printer to replace the one that should still be working. Good luck in your search and please update this site with whatever printer you decide to go with (and anyone else that finds a good replacement!) 

[jacksonp]

My MX892 died today for the same reason after a little bit more than one year of usage. So it is out of warranty. I agree with everybody else here this must be a "recall" issue that Canon should have taken serious action on. Count me in if there is a class lawsuit I'd like me money back. Shame on Canon!

[RenuNergy]

Hi plumlullaby,  i actually did purchase an Epson WorkForce WF3540 the same day that I posted my last response. Costco had it on sale for $129.99. I tried my best to check the internet for reviews on the Epson Workforce printers and I saw many positive reviews. PC Mag gave it an Editor's Choice in Jan. 2013 with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This rating was duplicated by review.cnet.com while amazon buyers rated it at 4.2/5 with 828 reviewers out of 1,328 giving it 5 stars with another 245 giving it 4 stars. The one downside is the electronic chip on the printer cartridge that could force you to shell out bucks for the replacement cartridges unless you purchase the ones avaliable online that allow you to refill them.  There is some note that the print quality is below par but for my at home needs, this shouldn't be a problem. What I want is a reliable printer that works.  I'm going to purchase refillable ink cartridges so I can save on ink and check into the solutions to any other outstanding problems.  One of my co-workers said that printers by Brother are extremely reliable and I would had purchased one of these if they were available at an equivalent price point.