Canon error 5B00: the ink absorber is full
Canon support code 5B00 means the waste ink absorber has reached its limit and printing has stopped. Here is what it means and your safe options.
What this error means
Canon inkjets send the small amounts of ink used during print head cleaning and borderless printing to absorbent pads inside the printer, known as the ink absorber. The printer keeps a running estimate of how much ink has gone there, and when it reaches the limit it shows support code 5B00 and stops printing so the pads can't overflow and leak. Earlier warnings, usually support code 1700 or 1701, appear while the absorber is nearly full. A restart won't clear 5B00: the absorber has to be serviced or replaced.
Common causes
- Several years of normal printing
- Frequent print head cleaning or deep cleaning cycles
- Lots of borderless photo printing, which sends extra ink to the absorber
- Automatic maintenance the printer runs after idle periods or ink changes
How to fix it
Start with the first fix. They’re ordered from safest and quickest to most involved.
Fixes for Any printer
0 of 6 steps tried
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Confirm the exact code
Check the printer's display or the status window on your computer for the full support code. 5B00 and its related codes mean the absorber is full, while 1700 or 1701 mean it is nearly full and you can usually press OK to keep printing for a while. Your model's online manual lists the codes it uses and what each one means.
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Restart the printer once
Turn the printer off, unplug it for a minute and turn it on again. This won't reset the absorber count, but it rules out a one-off glitch if the code appeared unexpectedly on a printer that has seen very little use.
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Check whether your model has a maintenance cartridge
Some newer Canon printers, including several refillable ink tank models, collect waste ink in a maintenance cartridge that you replace yourself, much like an ink cartridge. If your manual lists one, the printer shows a maintenance cartridge message instead, and you can fit the correct replacement by following the manual. Models without one need the internal absorber serviced.
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Arrange service through Canon
Replacing the internal ink absorber means opening the printer and resetting its counter with service equipment, so it is a repair job rather than a home fix. Look up your model on Canon's official support website for your country to check warranty status and the repair or exchange options offered. For an older, inexpensive printer, compare the repair quote with the cost of a replacement before deciding.
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Avoid unofficial reset tools
Websites offering software or key codes to reset the absorber counter are unofficial. They don't empty or replace the pads, so a full absorber can overflow and leak ink inside the printer or onto the surface below it, and downloaded reset tools can carry malware. They hide the warning rather than fixing the cause.
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Send less ink to the absorber in future
Print a nozzle check pattern before running a cleaning, and clean only when the pattern shows gaps or faint lines. Leave the printer plugged in and turn it off with its power button, so it can cap the print head properly and needs fewer cleaning cycles.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Still stuck? The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Can I keep printing after error 5B00?
No. The printer stops printing once the absorber count reaches its limit, and it resumes only after the absorber is serviced or, on models that have one, the maintenance cartridge is replaced.
Why did 5B00 appear when the inside of my printer looks clean?
The absorber pads sit underneath the mechanism, out of sight, and the printer works from an estimate rather than looking at the pads. A clean interior doesn't mean the pads still have room.
Is error 5B00 covered by warranty?
It depends on your region, the printer's age and the warranty terms. Check your model's warranty details on Canon's official support site for your country.