Canon printer “Support Code 5B00” — waste ink absorber full (how to reset & repair)

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), Printers, Networking, Office Equipment

Fix Canon 5B00 error on Pixma/Maxify — waste ink absorber (ink pad) full, reset waste ink counter

Technician

Hi! Let’s clear your Canon Support Code 5B00. This error appears when the printer thinks the waste ink absorber (also called the waste ink pad) is full. Tell me your exact model (e.g., Canon Pixma G-series, MG, TS, TR, iP) and whether it still powers on to the error screen or is completely locked.

Customer

Pixma G3200. Screen shows Support Code 5B00. It won’t print. I recently refilled the ink bottles and did a couple of deep cleanings.

Technician

Thanks. Deep clean cycles and long print jobs push ink into a sponge assembly inside the printer. A counter tracks this and triggers error 5B00 — waste ink absorber full to prevent overflow. We’ll:
• Confirm the model’s maintenance cartridge / absorber type.
• Safely enter service mode and reset the waste ink counter (if supported).
• Check for leaks and advise on ink absorber pad replacement or cleaning to avoid future 5B00 returns.

Customer

Is resetting safe? I read about “reset tools” online. Don’t want to damage anything.

Technician

Good caution. A waste ink counter reset only clears the message; it doesn’t empty the pads. If the sponges are saturated, ink can spill. We’ll inspect the ink absorber pads through the access panel, place paper towels, and then perform a service mode 5B00 reset for your G‑series. Avoid random third‑party “reset tools” — many are unsafe or malware.

Customer

Okay. What are the steps to enter service mode on this Canon?

Technician

Service mode (generic Canon Pixma flow):
1) Power off the printer.
2) Hold Stop/Cancel and press Power. Keep holding Power, release Stop, then press Stop five times.
3) Release Power. The screen should be blank or show Service Mode.
4) On connected PC, the device appears as Canon Device (service). We then issue a waste ink counter reset from Canon’s maintenance utility where supported.
Note: Some models use a maintenance cartridge you can replace instead of pads.

Customer

If I reset, will the 5B00 come back?

Technician

It can return if the waste ink pads are truly saturated. Best practice after a 5B00 reset:
• Remove and clean or replace the absorber pads (where accessible) or swap the maintenance cartridge if your model uses one.
• Reduce deep cleaning cycles and perform nozzle checks first.
• Keep the printer powered on to minimize purge cycles that add waste ink.

Customer

Can I replace the waste ink pads myself?

Technician

On many Pixma units, pads are inside the chassis. If you’re comfortable opening covers:
• Wear gloves; place absorbent towels.
• Lift the absorber stack, rinse with warm water, dry completely (24–48h), or install a new ink absorber kit.
• Reassemble, then clear the waste ink counter again.
Not up for that? A local shop can replace pads. For Maxify / Pro models with a maintenance cartridge, simply replace the cartridge and then reset the counter.

Customer

Will this affect my warranty?

Technician

If the device is under Canon warranty or covered by a retailer plan, contact Canon Support first. Opening the chassis or replacing pads yourself may be considered customer‑induced damage. We can still help you document symptoms and navigate Canon’s service process.

Customer

What if my model shows different codes like 1700 or 5B02?

Technician

Related Canon errors: 1700, 5B00, 5B01, 5B02, 5B12 all indicate waste ink absorber/ink pad counter limits. The fix path is the same: check for leaks → replace/clean pads or maintenance cartridge → reset waste ink counter in service mode.

Customer

After the reset, how do I test that printing works?

Technician

Print a nozzle check and a 2–3 page document. Watch the purge area under the carriage for drips. If the printer runs normally with no spills, the 5B00 error is resolved. If it reappears quickly, the pads are saturated and must be replaced.

Customer

Great — I understand the risks and steps. Let’s do the reset now.

Technician

Summary: Canon Support Code 5B00 means the waste ink absorber counter reached its limit. The complete solution is to replace/clean the ink absorber and reset the waste ink counter in service mode. We’ll walk you through a safe reset for your exact model and help source the right absorber kit / maintenance cartridge. Need hands‑on help? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when you see Canon Support Code 5B00 (waste ink absorber full): inspect pads for saturation, replace or clean the ink absorber/maintenance cartridge, then reset the waste ink counter in service mode. Reduce deep clean cycles and keep the printer powered to minimize future waste ink.

FAQ

Step‑by‑step (Windows/macOS PC control)

1. Power off the printer; enter service mode (Stop/Power sequence) for your model.
2. Connect via USB; the PC will detect a Canon service device.
3. Run the official maintenance utility to reset waste ink counter.
4. Replace or clean the ink absorber / maintenance cartridge. Let rinsed pads dry completely.
5. Print a nozzle check, then normal pages to verify.

Care tips to avoid future 5B00

1. Use nozzle check before running deep cleaning.
2. Keep printer powered to limit purge cycles.
3. Schedule absorber inspection every 12–18 months on heavy use.

Sources

• Canon — Support & Drivers
• Canon IJ Manuals — Maintenance & Ink Absorber
• Microsoft — Troubleshoot printer problems (Windows 10/11)
• Apple — macOS printer support

Matt ● replies in < 1 min

Technician Expert

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 27,000+ customers

Alex · Expert's Assistant

Start Chat

5 Tech Support Specialists are online right now.