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.

[Geomath]

I wish I could repeat this one on my MP610 but cannot.
Maybe it was a job that was in the buffer.
I do need a new printer.
I would have gone for a MX925 - but it's made by Canon.
Back to Google I suppose.

[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.

[fc02139]

Sculptorini,

Can you give more details on how you bypass the U052 error?

I have a MP610 with the same problem and a Canon rep told me to reseat the print head and press the red stop and on/off buttons 20 times (while unplugged) but it didn't work.

Thanks!

[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!!

[kam6300]

Model # MG5320 Printhead Error after only one time of changing Ink! Very disapointed in Canon, they offer no help besides turn the printer off and back on.

[cerises]

In the space of 2 weeks, we have had the same U052 call of death of the printers in our family. A 4 year old MP610 and a 2 year old MP640. I expect a printer to last alot longer especially as we've always used Canon inks in them (even when I was a skint student!). They both printed fine until one day they decided to show the error, and in fact it was the newer printer that showed it too. I used to recommended Canon printers straight away, but after researching the error and seeing it's more than an isolated issue, I don't think I'll be recommmending Canon again. I have looked up the cost of repair, and it's shocking.

[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

[zanne1950]

I had the same problem and did not check my inbox until someone suggested I do so-did not know I had one-Canon had already replied from this site. They sent me a new printer Mine was old Same error free shipping of other and great support on getting new one up and running I was a complete crazy complaining poster here for days and days before I checked my inbox-mentioned class action suits and all kinds of stuff. Then another person told me to check my box and there it was!Maybe they reach out to some and not others Maybe you have to threaten to sue them I don't know. Look through and find others who have had replacements and have links. Really the service was Great and not at all what I expected. I hated them but love them now