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.

[Frank22]

Got the problem too with MG5220.

[n5mj]

Canon replaced my U052'd MG5220 with a newer serial number MG5220. They also sent another paper tray after I discovered the replacement didn't come with one. Apparently you're supposed to keep the paper tray... doesn't make sense if folks are getting alternate replacement printers. 4 boxes received from Canon, plus post-paid return of the defective, and out-of-warranty MG5220. I for one am not interested in becoming a part of a class-action, Canon did right by me. Cheers.

[Turbopas]

Well, considder yourself a lucky hut then m5mj, the majority of us are still waiting for an answer and above all, a real solution

[Lynn123]

I too have this problem with the U052 error message. My printer is a different model from all I see on this forum: MX712.   I sent an email to Canon support and received a quick response, however their solution is to charge me for a new printer at 25% off of retail.  This is unacceptable and since I use my printer for our business, I need to replace it soon.  Are they still offering replacements on this forum?

[hbcanonuser]

I have just had this error message on my MP500.

I bought an all in one scanner/printer because it seemed like a good idea.

Although this might affect printing, this doesn't even allow me to scan now!

I  have looked at forums etc, and followed advice. I have had it working for a short time, but it has reverted back to this error now, and is totally unusable.

I was thinking that I might need to buy a new printhead after all, but looking at forums about this, I am concerned that a new one might not work for long either if this is a firmware 'feature' that Canon have built in.

I've been very happy with quality of my printer, although it does seem to get upset sometimes when Canon's own ink cartridges are installed!

Canon! Are you trying to leave the printer market? Or are you coming up with a fix for this? Any guarantee that if I got a new printhead that it might work?

[cchristiano2730]

I have the MX870 with that error, tried the fixes including the printhead.  Now instead of that error I get a B200 error. Wrote in to canon and they say to replace it -they will give me a discounted price....Not sure I will do this as my Canon i560 stopped working two days later..same type of thing.

[bdoster]

It sounds like Canon has stopped offering free replacements.  It also seems like luck of the draw for that action - it had to happen to you at the right time.  My MP530 only went south in the last week... frustrating as the window seems to have closed now.  I may try working with Canon, but I doubt it.  Why do that when this problem affects multiple models over a long stretch of time, and there is no admitted cause or known solution? Why spend more money, even at a discounted price, when the problem could presumably happen again on any new devices?  It just doesn't make sense.

[rynotucker]

Hi Canon, I hear your will replace my MP610 Printer. I bought it to print on CD and the errors U052 and U051 just will not go away.

[limcomplaint123]

I have the same dreaded UO52 wrong printhead error shown on my 15 months old printer.  What a shame.

[scwalthall]

I have the same problem with a lightly used MG5320. Told by Canon that it is a faulty sensor issue that can be reset at most repair shops. Called around and found one that said they could reset the sensor for $45. Canon is now one of those companies that expects others to solve their problems. I take responsibility for my own mistakes. I'll solve this one by taking my business elsewhere.