Canon Printer Error E65 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E65 on a Canon printer means the ink absorber is almost full. The ink absorber is a pad inside the printer that collects waste ink during cleaning cycles. This error is a warning — the printer still works but the absorber needs attention soon.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG3600 Series
Canon PIXMA MG5700 Series
Canon PIXMA TS5100 Series
Canon PIXMA G1000 Series
Canon PIXMA MX920 Series

Common Causes

The printer has performed many automatic cleaning cycles over its lifetime, gradually filling the absorber
Manual cleaning cycles were run too frequently, filling the absorber faster than normal
A cartridge was leaking ink, flooding the absorber more quickly than expected
The printer is nearing the end of its designed absorber capacity
A previous error was not resolved properly and caused extra cleaning cycles to run

How to Fix It

Press the printer's Stop/Reset button once to dismiss the warning and continue printing. The printer is still operational at E65 — it is a warning, not a full stop.

You can continue printing after dismissing the warning, but plan to address the absorber issue soon.
Reduce unnecessary cleaning cycles. Only run a cleaning cycle when print quality is visibly poor — not as a routine habit.

Each automatic or manual cleaning cycle deposits waste ink into the absorber. Fewer cleanings means the absorber fills more slowly.
Download Canon's Service Tool (IJ Printer Waste Ink Counter Reset Tool) from a trusted source. Use it to check the current absorber fill percentage.

The Service Tool shows you exactly how full the absorber is, so you can plan maintenance before the printer locks up completely.
If you are comfortable with DIY maintenance, you can access and clean the ink absorber pads yourself. Look for a tutorial specific to your printer model.

Cleaning the absorber pads requires opening the printer case, removing the pads, washing them thoroughly, drying them completely, and reinstalling them.
After cleaning or replacing the absorber, reset the waste ink counter using Canon's Service Tool. Without resetting the counter, the error will return even with fresh pads.

The counter reset must be done with the printer connected to a computer via USB. The Service Tool guides you through the process.

When to Call a Professional

When the absorber reaches 100% full, the printer will stop printing entirely and show a hard error. Canon service centers can replace the ink absorber and reset the counter. Alternatively, the absorber counter can be reset using Canon's official Service Tool software — but the physical absorber should still be replaced or cleaned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ink absorber?

The ink absorber is a set of foam or felt pads inside the printer that collect the waste ink produced during cleaning cycles. Every time the printer runs a cleaning cycle, it flushes ink through the print head to clear dried ink — that waste ink goes into the absorber. Over time the absorber fills up and must be cleaned or replaced.

What is the difference between E65 and E08?

E65 is a warning that the absorber is nearly full — the printer still works. E08 (or a similar code on some models) means the absorber is completely full and the printer has stopped. E65 gives you advance notice to take action before the printer locks up.

Is resetting the ink counter without cleaning the absorber safe?

It is not recommended. Resetting the counter without addressing the full absorber means the printer thinks there is space when there is not. If the absorber overflows, waste ink can leak inside the printer and cause serious damage to internal components. Always clean or replace the absorber when you reset the counter.