Canon Printer Error E26 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E26 on Canon printers means the ink absorber pad inside the printer is almost full. The ink absorber soaks up excess ink from print head cleaning cycles. The printer is warning you that the pad needs service before it overflows.

Affected Models

Canon Pixma E400
Canon Pixma E480
Canon Pixma E560
Canon Pixma E3170
Canon Pixma E3370

Common Causes

The printer has been used for a long time and the ink absorber is approaching its capacity
Frequent print head cleaning cycles have deposited excess ink into the absorber faster than normal
The printer's internal usage counter has reached the preset threshold for this warning
Heavy printing with photo or art prints uses more ink per page, filling the absorber faster
The ink absorber counter was never reset after a previous service

How to Fix It

Press the Resume button to acknowledge the warning and continue printing. The printer will allow more printing before stopping permanently.

This temporarily clears the error but does not fix the underlying issue. The absorber is still filling up.
Reduce print head cleaning frequency. Only run a manual cleaning when print quality is actually poor. Every manual cleaning deposits ink into the absorber.

Running unnecessary cleanings is the fastest way to fill the absorber. Let the printer run automatic cleanings as needed rather than initiating them manually.
Use the Canon Service Tool to reset the absorber counter. This tool is available on various third-party sites. Download the version compatible with your printer model and follow the reset instructions.

Resetting the counter stops the printer from complaining, but the physical pad is still full. This is a temporary solution that buys time before service.
Schedule a service appointment with a Canon authorized service center. They will physically replace or clean the absorber pad and reset the counter properly.

Visit canon.com and use the service locator to find a center near you.
If the printer is old and inexpensive, consider whether the service cost is justified. Compare the service cost against the price of a new equivalent printer.

Entry-level Canon printers can be purchased for $50 to $100, which may be cheaper than an absorber service on an older model.

When to Call a Professional

Error E26 is a warning — not yet a complete failure. You can continue printing for a limited time by pressing Resume. However, the ink absorber should be serviced soon to prevent ink overflow. Canon service centers can replace or clean the absorber pad. Visit canon.com for a service center near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is error E26 the same as 5B00?

They are related but not identical. E26 is a warning that the absorber is nearly full. 5B00 means the absorber is completely full and the printer has stopped entirely. If you see E26, act soon — 5B00 is the next step if the absorber is not serviced.

Can I replace the ink absorber pad myself?

Yes, but it requires disassembling the printer, which is not recommended for most users. You need to open the printer body, locate the absorber pad, remove and replace it with a new absorbent material. Detailed guides for specific Canon models are available online, but doing this incorrectly can damage the printer. For most users, a service center is the safer option.

How many pages can I still print after seeing E26?

There is no fixed number — it depends on how much ink coverage your prints have. Photo-heavy prints use much more ink per page than simple text documents. As a rough guide, you may get a few hundred more text pages before the printer stops entirely. If you need to print something urgently, use the Resume button to dismiss the warning and print what you need first.