Professional service Canon

Canon Error 5B00

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Canon error 5B00 (also shown as 5B00 / 1700) means the printer’s waste-ink absorber counter has reached its limit. The printer halts to prevent ink from overflowing internally. A service-mode reset usually restores printing immediately, but the absorber pad has a finite capacity and should be inspected or replaced once it is physically saturated.

Jump to the fix ↓ Canon official support ↗
Safe to tryThe temporary counter reset is safe and reversible on supported models.
Ink can stainIf you inspect the absorber, wear gloves: waste ink stains skin, clothes and surfaces.
Disconnect power firstPower the printer off and unplug it before checking any internal tray.
May need a technicianA physically saturated pad should be replaced at a service centre, not at home.

Affected brands & models

PIXMA MG2500 seriesPIXMA MG3600 seriesPIXMA TS3350PIXMA MX490 seriesPIXMA G-series

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

Waste-ink absorber counter reached its limit Service Likelihood: Most likelyAction: Reset counter, then plan pad service
Frequent manual head cleaning cycles Attention Likelihood: CommonAction: Reduce unnecessary cleanings
Counter not reset after a previous pad change Quick fix Likelihood: OccasionalAction: Run the service-mode reset

What the code means

Every Canon inkjet routes a small amount of ink into an internal absorber pad during printing, head cleaning and power cycles. A firmware counter estimates how full that pad is. When the estimate hits the safety threshold, the printer reports 5B00 and stops so waste ink cannot leak onto internal electronics or a desk.

Because 5B00 is a counter reading rather than a single broken part, resetting the counter clears the message and the printer works again. That is a valid temporary fix, but the physical pad keeps filling, so a genuinely saturated pad still needs to be replaced at a service centre.

Most frequent causes

  • The absorber counter has reached the manufacturer safety limit.
  • Repeated manual print-head cleanings filled the pad faster than normal.
  • A prior absorber replacement was done without resetting the counter.
  • Very high print volume over the printer’s lifetime.

Quick fix: try this first

  1. Turn the printer off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on to confirm the code is 5B00.
  2. Enter service mode and clear the waste-ink counter (steps below).
  3. Print a test page and monitor for any ink pooling in the output tray.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 6 done

Tick each step as you go. Your progress is kept while you work.

Before you start

  • Have your exact model number ready (on the base or inside the cover).
  • Close open print jobs and remove any jammed paper.
  • Work on a protected surface in case of ink.

What not to do

  • ×Do not keep printing large jobs if you see ink pooling in the tray.
  • ×Do not pour liquids into the printer to “flush” the pad.
  • ×Do not force internal covers or belts by hand.

When to stop & call support

Stop and contact a service centre if waste ink is visibly leaking from the printer, if the reset does not clear the code after two attempts, or if the printer is still under warranty, since opening it yourself may void coverage.

If the error comes back

If 5B00 returns within days of a reset, the physical absorber pad is almost certainly saturated and a reset can no longer keep up. Arrange a pad replacement (a service part) or, for low-cost models, weigh repair cost against replacement.

Related parts & consumables

Waste-ink absorber padService part, replaced by a technician
Maintenance cartridgeUser-replaceable on some PIXMA G models

Questions about Canon 5B00

Will a reset delete my printer settings?

No. Clearing the waste-ink counter only zeroes that counter. Your Wi-Fi and print settings are untouched.

How many times can I reset 5B00?

There is no hard limit, but each reset ignores a fuller pad. Once ink physically leaks, resets are no longer safe and the pad must be replaced.

Is 5B00 the same as 5B01?

They are closely related absorber codes for different internal counters. The reset approach is similar; see the related codes below.

What does error P07 mean on a Canon G2010 or G3010?

P07 is the error code the printer’s LCD shows for support codes 5B00 and 5B01. The “An Error Occurs” table in Canon’s G2010 series and G3010 series manuals lists P07 against both support codes, with the cause “Printer error has occurred”, so it points to the 5B00/5B01 error covered on this page.

Why does my Canon G3010 show P07 on the printer and 5B00 on the computer?

Both codes belong to the same error. Canon’s G2010 series and G3010 series manuals say that when an error occurs, an error code appears on the printer’s LCD and a message appears on the computer screen, and for some errors a support code appears as well. P07 is the LCD error code; 5B00 or 5B01 is the support code.

PrinterErrors editorial team

Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.

Sources & methodology

Spotted something inaccurate? Report a content issue

Related error codes

1700 Absorber almost full (warning) B200 Print head voltage / failure P07 P07: G-series display code for 5B00

Related problems

Ink cartridge not recognized
See all error codes Canon ›