Canon Printer 5B00 Error — Ink Absorber Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

Canon printer 5B00 error means the waste ink absorber pad inside the printer is full. Canon locks the printer for safety when the pad reaches capacity. You must reset the waste ink counter using the Canon Service Tool utility to continue using the printer.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG Series
Canon PIXMA MX Series
Canon PIXMA TS Series
Canon PIXMA G Series
Canon PIXMA iP Series

Common Causes

Waste ink absorber pad has reached its designed capacity from normal use
The pad absorbs ink from every print head cleaning cycle and eventually fills up
This is a designed end-of-life indicator, not a printer malfunction

How to Fix It

Download the Canon Service Tool.

Search for Canon Service Tool (also called Canon Adjustment Program) for your specific printer model. This is the official utility Canon technicians use to reset the waste ink counter. Versions vary by printer model — ensure you download the correct version.
Connect the printer via USB.

The Canon Service Tool typically requires a direct USB connection to the printer — it may not work over Wi-Fi. Connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable before running the tool.
Run the waste ink counter reset.

Open the Canon Service Tool and navigate to the Ink Absorber Counter section. Click Set to reset the counter to zero. The printer should restart and the 5B00 error should clear.
Replace or top up the physical ink pad.

Resetting the counter lets you continue printing, but the physical pad inside the printer is still full. For a long-term fix, the waste ink pad should be replaced or cleaned. This is done by opening the printer case — a job suited to a service centre or experienced DIYer.

When to Call a Professional

If you are not comfortable using the Canon Service Tool to reset the counter, a Canon-authorised service centre can reset it and replace the physical waste ink pad. Physical pad replacement is recommended after a counter reset.