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.

[No_happy_canper]

So after 18 months my MG5320 came up with the dreaded U052.  Followed the usless instructions from Canon on how to fix.  I though cool this will work.  Wrong.  Then found this thread and realized it's not the printhead but Canon's "Crippleware".  In the past I have recomended Canon printers as mine has done a great job.  But now I question that logic.  

Very fustrated right now.

[RenuNergy]

Hi No_happy_canper,

I have the same printer (MG5320) and also experienced the dreaded U052 error. I have received a replacement printer based on the response to a Private Message I received from Canon.  So contact Canon directly and make your voice heard.  Although I had already purchased another replacement printer, I'm at least a little satisfied that Canon Friends made the gesture of sending me a replacement printer. I'm not satisfied with the fact that this error continues to pop up and I'm a LOT concerned that this new printer may exhibit the same problem after a year to 18 months of use.

*Could it be that firmware is being designed now to have the hardware fail slightly after the Warranty expires?

If you're listening Canon and I know you are, whoever came up with this concept, if it exists, should be IMMEDIATELY

FIRED with NO Golden Parachute. We're all part of the Matrix now called the internet and the shared knowledge is

a powerful mechanism that causes change in the right direction.

One would think that if this was a firmware issue, there would be a remedy available where you could update the firmware in the I2C (I-squared-C) static memory module to resolve this issue. Since other forum contributors have found that replacing the printhead did not resolve their issue with the U052 error, it must be some systemic problem that may be difficult to resolve in a cost-effective manner.

Maybe the ASIC or VLSI chip has this failure mechanism embedded in it's design and a recall of all of these printers would

get some Vice President fired so they're trying to perform some triage.

Canon we really would like for you to fix this problem.

[macnicol]

Took mine to an authorized Canon printer repair facility for evaluation.  They inofrmed me that it had nothing to do with the print head.  If I can recall it correctely, the problem is connected to an ink sump that is used for head cleaning and that when it gets full this is the misleading and incorrect message that is displayed.

There is NO reason that the rest of the multi-function printer can not be used; i.e. scanner.  Yes, this error could be corrected with a software or firmware update but Canon does not have an economic incentive to do it since, up to now, this has increased Canon printer sells.  Now that the user community has been awakened maybe Canon will realize that a solution has to be provided.

The reported replacement of defective printers is a first step although I was contacted but have not received a replacement printer yet.

I have been a loyal Canon printer user for over a decade and currently have 4 Canon printers in operation within the family.

For photo printing and scanning the Canon Pixma MP960 and its successors are the best of the breed from all vendors.  I would not like to have to change vendors because Canon stonewalls its users on this issue.

[n5mj]

If you get a PM offering a replacement, and still have your old U052-afflicted printer, take Canon up on it. They offered a replacement if I would simply send the bad one back to them, using their paid mailing label and boxes, once the replacement arrived. It took two weeks, but new ink tanks and print head arrived from the west coast, then a box with the printer came a few days later from the east coast.. This series of events leads me to believe that the many posts on this forum attracted the attention of Canon engineering/QA, and that Canon will perform post-failure necropsy on the returned printers to see what went wrong, and maybe offer a firmware/hardware fix proactively as a result. Bottom line is Canon did right by me. Thanks to Macnicol for starting the thread, and to all who subsequently posted.

[JLH]

Hi, All,  I received my replacement printer a few days ago from Canon, model MG6420.  I don't know anything about this printer but it seems to print fairly decent copies.  I can tell you it is noiser than the MG5320 which died a sudden death after the dreaded U052 code!  Thanks to Macnicol and all who brought their issues to the forum.  Fingers crossed that this printer doesn't have the "after warranty" curse imbedded in the firmware/hardware.

[InWonderlnd]

Add the MX712 to that list. My error occurred while I was printing and several of the ink tanks needed to be replaced. I replaced them and then my printer became a useless piece of junk. Although, I suspect it was always a piece of junk and just decided to show it's true colors.

I just finished a call with a representative who offered to sell me a new or refurbished printer. He also denied that this was a widespread issue across numerous printer models. When I specifically asked why Canon wasn't addressing this issue he offered to give me contact information for a local authorized Canon repair service. This is absurd. I have about $100 in new ink that will now go to waste.

This is a production issue and it is one Canon knows about since they are offering no options other than buying new Canon printers or paying the cost of a new Canon printer for repairs I think a class action lawsuit is the best idea. What's to keep them from continuing to make printers with this defect? Nothing.

I'm off to social media to advertise the Canon's terrible customer service and known defects.

[bdreese]

Had a 5 year old Canon MX860 that crashed with a failed power supply a couple months ago.  Since my son was home on a break from college, I just grabbed his 2 year old MX882 and have been using it.  Based on his grades in shool, I am pretty sure it was not used very much (if you know what I mean.)

Was trying to finish my taxes yesterday and needed to print returns (can't efile for some reason and have to sent in printed forms)   Got the dreaded U052 error on the MX882.  Tried all the guidance about removing ink, reseating the print head, unplug, wait, reboot.  Tried 3 times and gave up.  Dashed over to Best Buy which had a good deal on Epson WF-3540.

Was thinking of tossing the Canon but decided to do some further research before giving up since hopefully son will be going back to college this fall and need a printer again.  Found this link and thought I would give it a try to see if Canon would contact me with replacement offer.

I agree with most comments about poor design/built in obsolecence.  When I bought the older Canon MX860, I gave my daughter my old HP Printer that was already 3-4 years old at the time.  She used it all through college and now still has it after graduating (yeah, some kids figure the college thing out).

So, do I need to contact Canon directly, or just post my issues here and hope someone will contact me?  

[Aardvark]

You probably need to contact them directly, and make a fuss. I just had a reply back from Canon (UK) and I copy and paste here........... "I’m sorry that you are having problems with your printer, can you clarify what the issue is please, and the error code by itself does not give much information." It sounds like this particular member of staff doesn't have access to error message codes, etc.! emailed back quoting chapter and verse and included a link to this thread so he could get up to speed. My next reply was............ "Thank you for this clarification, I do have access to various user guides and service manuals however this error can be caused when the printer is turned on or after a short time of operation, both would indicate what could be the cause of the issue. In regards to your clarification I would advise you to contact one of our authorised repair centres to have the printer checked and repaired as this type of issue can only be diagnosed by a qualified repair technician." Basically that means I have hit a dead end with Canon's after sales service. I am so angry I could heavy my printer through their CEO's window!

[Billcran01]

Same problem with  PIXMA MP610. Occurred immediately after I uploaded a driver update, but I don't know if that's a coincidence. Cleaned the print head (the hot water method) and got about 6 sheets printed before the problem reoccurred. Tried all suggestions from Canon with no positive results.

[athesen]

Hi Aardvark

I too have hit a dead end being in South Africa. I have reported this issue to a consumer forum here and to Canon SA which directs me to Europe. I was told by this forum that they only service the US and they do not service South Africa.

I think we should take this issue up with our local suppliers and redirect them this forum for an example of how Canon US is responding to the satisfaction of thier customers.  Good Luck