How to reset Canon printer 'Ink absorber full' error

Canon printers are programmed to stop functioning after a preset number of nozzle cleaning cycles is executed. This is to prevent a 'waste ink pad' inside the printer overflowing and ink leaking out.

The error either presents with printer LED's flashing in different colours or with Ink absorber almost full message on the printer LCD. At this point the printer generally refuses to print or do anything else.

Note: There can be other reasons for the printer LED's flashing, apart from a full ink absorber, so don't automatically assume this is the problem. Check the printer user guide or online help for explanation of different errors. Counting how many times the LED's flash before changing colour usually indicates the nature of the problem.

If this is the first time you're seeing the ink absorber message, there is a way to get your printer working again - simply by pressing the OK button. If OK doesn't work, try the STOP button.

This is not a permanent solution, but will give you few more days/weeks of printing before the printer stops again.

Note: Don't try to reset the ink absorber error unless you REALLY cleaned or replaced the ink absorber material or installed a waste ink collector bottle.

IMPORTANT: If you've watched a youtube video or instructions that pretend to demonstrate cleaning a printer ink absorber, while rinsing two small pieces of porous metal or a strip of foam rubber in water - don't believe it for a second! The videos are 100% garbage and the parts they demonstrate rinsing have absolutely nothing to do with the actual ink absorber.

Printer ink absorber can not be replaced/cleaned without dismantling the printer (unless it is a removable type 'service' or 'maintenance' tank.')
 

Resetting the Ink absorber full error

Many Canon printers are easy to reset by pressing the printer buttons in the right sequence. Most BJ, BJC, MG, S, I and IP can be reset this way.

1) Power printer off
2) Disconnect power cable from printer (or switch off at power point)
3) Press and hold power and resume buttons
4) While holding both buttons, re-connect power cable
5) Keep holding the power button, release resume button
6) Press resume twice then release both buttons
7) Green LED should flash then turn solid
8) Press resume 4 times
9) Press power button to turn the printer off
10) Press power button again to turn printer on.
The green LED should flash few times, then turn solid

That's it. The printer should work as usual. If the error displays again, try repeating the process. If the error comes up again, it's possibly something else causing it...not the waste ink.

Resetting the ink absorber error should get your printer functioning again, but sooner or later the ink pads will fill up and need dealing with.

Diverting the waste ink into external collector bottle is usually the easiest approach, than replacing or rinsing  the ink pads and far cheaper than having the printer serviced. Contact us for more info.

Note: If you use a printer that the above process will not reset, you may have to buy a reset program here or from another supplier.