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.

[Turbopas]

I am having the same problem since an hour ago, all of a sudden my Canon MG5350 shouts the U052 printhead error... I have not been able to fix this till now inspite of the instructions form Canon... frustrating!!!

[faithful]

I think that has been a difficult thing for a lot of us. Many of us were really pleased with our Canon products until this happened.

[Stephen]

Canon is listening, and we appreciate your comments.  We are investigating, and expect to have a resolution soon.  Updates will be shared as information becomes available.  Thanks for your feedback and participation in our forum.

[mystory2004]

Meanwhile.... many of us have moved on, purchased a different brand of printer/scan/fax machine. We are left with never used ink cartridges, the lovely , new unusable printer , and have to set our budget to buy ink for the new printer.  Could there be some compensation, exchange, central collection bin.... for unused Canon ink cartridges?  A coupon for ??? There are many excellent and dedicated Canon users who have been betrayed.  Not once has there been a formal announcement in the news,where there is a first and last name with a title behind it apologizing and reimbursing for the printhead issue.  I received a note from a Christa( no last name)... and I didn't believe it was from Canon, so I never returned the machine for the one they would send me ( which will have a print head error in the next 18 months,).... Thanks.

[stuffed1printer]

Well Stephen [Canon moderator]. A solution soon? If my printer was a motor car and had killed someone due to a fault,

action would be much quicker I'm sure. Do we send our faulty printer to landfill or will a solution be posted. I have fixed various products by following YouTube videos with much success. There are many of us who are capable of repairing

products if the instructions are given in good faith [Canon fails there, imploring us to buy a new printerhead etc] I suspect that the fault is in the basic software/pcb and the company policy of forcing customers to replace their printers earlier than necessary. Perhaps standardising the ink cartridges would meet the customers halfway as we all know the sale price of printers are close to cost or less. When a PC hard drive fails, we do not have to trash the whole unit; we install another, usually larger as the price has fallen. We are not fools as you seem to suggest by the lack of information. Design a printer whose print head component [that includes waste ink bath]is as easily changed as a hard drive and you will retain your customers and reputation.

[faithful]

You wouldn't have returned your printer until you received a replacement. I would contact her, unfortunately, your cartridges may not work in the replacement...I know mine didn't.

[frank1359]

Dear Canon,

I have been a loyal customer over the past almost 10 years and today my Canon MG5220 received the U052 error. I would like to say that this is utter ** and am joining the hundreds of frustrated users in the fight against your fraudulent company. I will no longer be spending so much as even a penny on your products.

As for everyone else, add me to the list of people willing to take action against Canon regarding this issue

Frank K

[bdoster]

My PIXMA MP530 just got this error.  No combination of print cartdige removal, print head removal, holding down the power button, standing on my head, etc. will cure the ill.  I've always used genuine Canon cartridges... I have a few spares sitting on the shelf (Y, BK and PGBK if anyone is interested), and I even have a couple from an old BJC-7000 printer (anyone need a BC-60 or a BCI-62?) .  It's hard to believe that so many printers have this identical defect. I'm not sure what I'll end up doing after this, but my next stops will be Amazon, looking into non-Canon replacements, and Federman & Sherwood. 

[Turbopas]

You are so right faithful.

The bad thing is, that I really like the printer, it's easy to use, produces a good printing quality etc.

But the truth is that I am affraid to buy another one, because I strongly believe that this problem exists already  longer than we all  think and Canon is willing to admit...

I will have to consider buying a non- canon multifunctional.

[Numa]

My MP610 just gave the UO52 error. Tried everything posted ou there including swapping for a set of new cartridges: no success.

Now looking for new printer. Very disapointed as Canon had provided me with my best printers so far...