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.

[llamee]

I received a similar email from a forum moderator, so I think everything is legitimate.  I wouldn't hold out for a public announcement from a vice president seeking damaged products.  However, I am glad Canon is taking care of the people on here looking for help.

[jacksonp]

I hope I will also receive a PM from Canon soon. I have exhausted all steps that Canon and Internet recommd but my MX892 still shows the same U052 error. What I don't understand is why a printhead failure would lock down the printer completelly, even for a function such as scan that does not need printing at all. 

[JLH]

I, too, am hoping to get the PM some of you have received already.  To date, I haven't replaced my Pixma MG5320 Canon printer because a lot of what I'm reading about other printers is worrisome. For those who did get the PM -  did you contact Canon directly?  Should the rest of us  send another message to the email provided in someone's previous post?  Suggestions and guidance would be appreciated.

[RenuNergy]

Hi JLH,

I received the Private Message only because I posted comments about my experience with my relatively new Canon MG5320 on this site. It's because of this forum, the originator and the contributors that have made Canon react to our complaints. However I'm concerned about a couple of issues.

1) The replacement printer that they send out may also produce this U052 error after a year or two of use.

     *My printer sits in my home office and sees very little use. I generally had it turned off until I needed to use it.

       So it doesn't seem like usage is an issue.

2) Although some of us are receiving a replacement printer, the evidence embedded in the malfunctioning printer will be

     gone.

I already purchased a replacement printer so the offer came a little too late even though I responded to the proposition.

I checked the retail value of the replacement printer, and it's not a refurbished model, it'a a very good deal.

I don't mean to sound negative. What Canon has done is very commendable. And I look forward to the replacement model. At least I don't have to donate the current model to the recycling dealer and Canon can investigate the source of the problem.  I am concerned that the RMA info that is associated with the return instructs me to REMOVE the Printhead, the cartridges and any loose items. I don't see how they can investigate the U052 error if I don't return the Printhead that exhibits the problem.

Sometimes a Freudian slip is telling.

[dgrego]

Well I'm in.

I bought canon's MX892 printer for my sister in September of 2012. After replacing the ink cartridges just one time she called me with the error message "U052 The type of print head is incorrect. Install the correct print head." I searched the internet for an answer when I found this page. I worked through canons suggested procedure to reset the error with no luck. Then I took out the print head and thoroughy cleaned it to no prevail. 

I am a huge canon camera fan and would whole heartedly recommend their cameras and camera lens, but at this time i could not in good faith recommend their printer products until these design related issues are resolved. I have an epson workforce 840 that I've had for years with no issues at all.

As a photographer I'm always looking for the next up scale photographic printer to replace my aging epson R1800, but at this time I'm now very hesitant on any canon related printer products. 

I hope canon does the right thing and stands beside their defective printer products.

Sincerely, Dave Grego

[eclypse3demons]

Well Canon shipped out an MX922 to replace my MX870. I am not sure these are similar or notñ will know more when it arrives.

[JLH]

I just received the much anticipated "private message" to which I responded with the information requested. So, now we'll wait to see what their response is.  Keep  posting updates everyone!

[KBeck]

Got the private message. Too bad, though: About two weeks after the failure and my original posting, I took the printer to town recycling center; the same day, went out an bought an Epson as a replacement.

It's disappointing on how few printers have the second, straight through printer path that the MP610/MP640's had, and none of the Canons I saw on display had that. Oh, well.

Kbeck

[wiseguys90]

After I posted last, I had a thought. I checked with my credit card, Discover, and confirmed that they extend the manufacturer's warranty up to a year. That brings my printer warranty to 2 years. All I had to do was get a repair estimate (of course no one would do that for free, so it cost $25), copy of original receipt, copy of Discover statement showing purchase, copy of manufacturers warranty and fill out Discover's warranty form.

Repair estimate came back over $200, original purchase price $149.99 + tax. Discover is sending me a check for $149.99 (not refunding tax), so I net $125. Went a long way to paying for a new printer - not Canon, but new Epson. Worth the effort.

[occam49]

MX-892 ... 

I'm geting real tired of throw away printers  Seems like every printer I've had in the last few years is POS and craps out before dust even accumulates on it.

Only four sets of cartridges and it's crapped out. I'm getting U052 ... tried all the fix BS and nada ... 

Time to try yet another brand ...  What's the experience with Brother printers?