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.

[nlga]

I purchased the Canon Pixma MX895 in September 2012 and yesterday, 5 December 2014, the printer ceased working with the error message U052......

I've tried all the suggested fixes.

The printer only had minimum usage and looks brand new.

Are all Canon printers designed to become inoperable after a couple of years????

If anyone has any solutions, or receives any useful info from Canon, please post.

[RAHENY]

You are lucky I don't think mine have lasted much longer than their 1yr guarantee Yep they are nearly all the same rubbish

[TroyBoy]

Found a good solution to my Canon problem.  I bought an HP Officejet 4620 at a garage sale for $10.00.  Changed the ink and the thing prints perfectly.  Not going to be calling Canon for their 20% off offer.

[puppylove]

Everyone who purchased their printer with a credit card less than 2 years ago - most likely, your CC extends the 1 year warranty to 2 years, so if you're between 1-2 yrs of ownership they will cover it. 

[wiredefx]

Canons 20% off is a joke. If you read carefully, it is 20% off LIST price. Just like the MSRP on a new car. You never pay list price at any retailer. Canons list price on a printer may be $300, 20% off is $240. You can get the same one from a retailer for $200 or less.

[Dragonkiss123]

I've been using the MP970 for years, no problems. Then today, turned it on and U051 appeared. Nothing had been changed since its last successful printing job. Followed canon's online instructions, now getting U052

[Joe94102]

Be careful.  I did this and got the same result with the second Canon printer, with upgraded model number -- early U052 and quick end to the printer. 

[Joe94102]

This is the second Canon Pixma printer I had that was disabled within one year of purchase by a U052 error, after minimal usage.  The first time was with an MX5220, but I mistakenly thought I was ultimately to blame for the U052 because I tried Sophia cartidges instaed of Canon cartridges.  So I bought an MX5320 and used only Canon cartridges.  Same result -- the printer is literally inoperable. I am dumbstruck by discovery of this thread, the company response, and how long they have allowed customers to waste their money on an entire line of defective products. 

[dmerrill12]

Tried to print out my christmas cards on my MP560.  U052!  And now I can't do anything.  I admit I use the scanner more than the printer, but now I can't even use that.  I am very discouraged by the responce from Canon about this issue.

[citris1]

I am having my Pixma 860 repaired for more then the cost on a new printer. I just can't justify adding more junk to the landfill. Meanwhile I bought at Canon Pixma2820  just to keep going. However I was surpised to see it die in just three weeks. Canon is trashing its good name by selling junk like this. Soon the Canon name will be synonymous with garbage.