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.

[savinglots]

I originally thought it was the power supply because I pulled the supply form the printer and when I did that it caused a paper jam not realizing that it was the paper jam and not the power supply that caused the printer to start up correctly. Sorry was not trying to keep the answer just was trying to flush it out to make sure it worked for all

[Geomath]

Sincere apologies for mistrusting you savinglots!

This may be a way in......

I induced a paper jam on my MP610 and got to the main menu

In settings: auto align wouldn't run but manual went thru the 4-sheet cycle but paper clean - it didn't print anything.

Deep clean of nozzles appeared to go ok.

Copy: paper went through but not one spot of ink. It made all the right noises though.

I have opened/closed the lid to check cartridges and it doesn't report the U051/2 error.

Haven't used the scan to PC yet

Suggest others work on this route in

Good luck all!

[Geomath]

You have to repeat the paper jam each time you switch it on otherwise you will get the U051/2 error.
It refuses to deposit any ink but at least you can use the scanner.

[watsonm05]

My printer is an MG5220 with a scanner.

WHY CAN'T I IGNORE THE ERROR TO BE ABLE TO USE THE SCANNER??

Canon - please fix the printer firmware for these types of machines!

Tried the printer head clean, power off, etc to no avail.  Based on what I've read I won't be buying a print head but rather buying a competator's product.

[savinglots]

Did the forced paper jam not work?
Once you force the paper jam you should be able to access the scanner at least.

[watsonm05]

Sorry but I can't find any reference to the "forced paper jam".  How do I do that?  Or do you have a pointer to instructions to do so?

Thanks

[watsonm05]

Oops - sorry about that - I found the other post mentioning how it was done.  I'll try that and post my results.

[flash23]

I too just experienced the dreaded U052 message. I have an MX712 that actually stopped halfway through printing, printed the first paused and the dreaded message "The type of print head is incorrect. Install the correct print head." Spent hours trying to fix as per content on the web, all to no avail. Unfortunately I tried the changing out of existing ink cartridgages to new ones and just blew more $$ on top of the printer, existing cartridges (about 2-3 weeks old) and also the new ones I changed out. Then I found this forum, if only I had know. It's very depressing to see all the posts yet no official response from Canon. I too am a long time, loyal user of Canon products including this printer MX712 and one priror an MP830. As well as three digital cameras currently working and using. Unfortunately, I need a printer ASAP for small business use, can't wait for Cannon to admit they ae wrong and do something about. It's off to Costco tomorrow to purchase a new printer ... CANON TAKE NOTE! I WIIL NOT BEING BUYING A CANON!!

[flash23]

An update on my prior post. I called Canon spent 30 minutes on the telephone with a tech. He had me go through all the same steps: Uninstall ink cartridges, clean heads and contacts. Removed the print head and cleaned it. Turn off/on while pressing down on Stop. Etc. All attempts failed. He then provided two possible solutions (1) Buy a new print head. Nope., too expensive. (2) Buy a new printer from Canon with loyal customer discount. Nope. Less expensive to buy online than through Canon with the discount. Oh and this is the best part, when I informed the tech of all the posts on this Canon sponsed forum ... he told me no such thing existed from Canon, it was a phony site, there are many of them out there however none sponsed by Canon and the sites are not to be trusted! Not only is Canon's customer service bad ... they do not train their techs properly as well! After considerable research decided to buy the Brother Printer Worksmart MFCJ870DW. Comes with a 2-year limited warrantee vs 1-year from Canon. Farewell to Canon, it was a good 20 year run however my code of ethics has been comprimised and I choose to purchase products from companies that value customer service and stand behind the quality of their products. Warning: The fate of Sharper Image is not far removed for Canon.

[zanne1950]

Wow   You should maybe not have called at all I received a response from canon just for posting on this very same site. they replaced my printer with upgraded model and their tech support has been great. I was absolutely amazed. My response and post was much like yours until I found that there was a message from them in my inbox that I did not know existed on this site. Some other posters have posted links. Yes they sent me and many others replacement printers from posting HEREnot from calling. You have to check your inbox for a reply from them. It took me awhile to find it.

They were AMAZING   I hope they can use my old PRINTER which they had shipped back for free to figer out the u52 problem which seems extensive and nothing fixes  it   it is a computer problem