Reset Canon Printer ink absorber

Resetting the waste ink absorber on a Canon printer can resolve some error codes that appear when turning it on.

  1. Make sure the printer is turned off.
  2. Press and hold the Resume button (triangle inside a circle).
  3. Whilst it is held down, hold down the Power button. The green led light should come on.
  4. Keep the Power button held down. Release the Resume button and then press it twice. The light should go amber, then green again.
  5. Release the Power button.
  6. Press the Resume button four times and then press the Power button straight after to confirm the selected action (Reset Counter Absorber).
  7. Turn off the printer and then turn it on again

190 comments

  1. Thanks, Carl. I had to try the procedure for three/four times, but then it worked. Great!
    Regards, Dolph.

  2. 6C10 error code: Tried this eight times, still unable to print. Manual is not helpful as it reiterates what the error code screen says.
    Thank you anyway for the suggestion. Will keep looking for an answer.

  3. its too early my mom wake me up to print some paper then this error 5100 appeared, it really p**s me off, then i tried to search for a solution, i found someone like you which is very helpful. thank you..best regards

  4. Gracias, estuve probando para corregir el error 5100 varias veces y al final lo logre claro con la ayuda de estos consejos, eternemente agradecido, juan de Morón,.

  5. I tried it several times but ik keeps saying Idle after executing point 6. Could you help me with this?
    Thanks!

  6. I have a Canon S 400 printer that is 11 years old. I tried you advice to reset the code about 4 times and it seemed to work, The repair center wanted $ 25.00 just to reset the codes. Thanks you saved me some money.

  7. Got this error after cleaning the print head, took about 6 attempts using your method but it now works beautifully and I have solved the print quality problem too.

    Thanks – this whole process saved alot of money.

  8. Hi, It didnt Work on the IP4700…Made wonders on the MP160, worked on that model but some how its not on the IP4700….cud you be more specific on timing after the part u let go both buttons before Pressing the resume button for 4 times

    Thank in advance,

    Ricky

  9. Wat een opluchting!! Na 5x het bovenstaande gedaan te hebben, waarbij ook een paar keer de melding IDLE, doet de printer het weer. Thanx

  10. I also encounter 6C10 when printing from my MP988. However, I tried this procedure but the printer seems to behaviour differently. The LCD screen said that I’ve entered the “Service Mode” and show a status of ‘idle”. What should I do? Tks

  11. Thank you very much. This works very good!

    But the error keeps coming back. So I have to do this procedure frequently.

  12. A few weeks ago, I had the error 6C10, I did your solution, it works then, now at the moment again the error 6c10, but it won’t works…. Help!!! I did it a several times, but it won’t work. Do you have an another solution for it?

  13. Hi all. I have an iP4600 and this fix worked for me for a while but I let my printer sit idle for about an hour and then I got the same error code 6C10. I finally got it working again but it was a lot more difficult than it was the first time.

    I’m thinking that I will have to eventually open the box and clean the ink pads. I found this manual for an iP4700.
    http://www.grumpymiddleagedman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/10/ip4700-ssm.pdf
    It has pictures to show how to take it apart and it looks similar to mine so I think I can get it done.
    There is also a link to an exe file for the Service Tool
    http://www.grumpymiddleagedman.co.uk/2011/06/09/download-canon-ip4600-service-tool/
    but it is a windows utility and I have a Mac running osX.

    So, my question is, would this simple fix work after opening the box or would I definitely need the service tool app?

    Thanks a bunch!

  14. Thank you !!!!! this has been an on going thing with my printer, very frustrating, I have now printed these steps for quick reference.

  15. Guys i am really struggling here, i am using the canon mx374……keeps on displaying error U015

  16. Mark and I have the same problem,,,,,entered the Service Mode and status is Idle. Any help here would be appreciated. MX860

  17. please help me my printer got error ink 5b00.. i resset after it blink its appeared number how can i reset that.. thanks

  18. Wow, this actually worked! It took me several tries, but I think it had to do with the number of times I tried to print through the error. I’m getting a 5-blink on the amber light, so now it’s a different error, but at least I fixed the first one.

  19. i need the reset for canon pixma ip7240 please help I have crawled all internet in vain for a working solution it seems like this model is not popular or I am the first to receive such a problem help please

      1. Hello Anonymous,

        We do not have any form of hardware or software that resets Canon printers you will need to follow the steps provided.
        If these steps do not work you will need to take the printer to an authorised Canon repair engineer.

  20. Thanks… still working on IP4700

    Total crap though, that this workaround seems necessary.
    No more Canon after this failure printer, sometimes it’s self-cleaning right if I want to print something, and it’s buzzing around for like 3-5 minutes, before ANYTHING comes out! Total non-sense.

  21. Thank you for clear, working instructions! They worked better than the advice I received from professional support group.

  22. I did try several times but the error 6C10 still appears when trying to print. It is happening with all the computers at home WIFI.

    Greatly appreciate any help or suggestions.

    Thank you,
    Lou

  23. I tried this about a dozen times on my MG6120 printer but unfortunately it didn’t work. Any other ideas on how to address Error 6A81? Thanks.

  24. Could some one please help me with code 5B02 or as displayed on LED P07 on my Canon MG3160, thank you, I have tried as above but unfortunately this doesnt work, would any one have any other suggestions, thankyou

    1. Hello Pavan, Unfortunately the P10 error is caused by a faulty cartridge, this will require the faulty cartridge to be replaced.

  25. Non funziona, ho provato almeno 10 volte (stampante MG5250). Dopo la procedura, apparentemente si toglie la schermata di errore ma la stampante non funziona (la copia si blocca) e se spengo la stampante poi non si riaccende. E’ necessario togliere il cavo di alimentazione per 5 minuti per poterla riaccendere, ma l’errore torna nuovamente. Come mai?

  26. In a homework meltdown situation. My Son came to me and said the printer is broken with a code 5100. With all of the end of the year school assignments, I went into panic mode and googled the code. Carl came to the rescue. I followed his easy steps and had it reset immediately. No computer degree or tools needed. Thanks Carl…you must kids. Sincerely, a Thankful Mom.

  27. i doesn’t work in my canon pixma mp230. i can’t even use my scanner . the orange light is always blinking. any help?

    1. Unfortunately if the above fix has not worked in this scenario you will need to contact your local canon repair centre to have your printer repaired.

  28. I have a canon prnter mg5340 whch ink absorber error became full how can i rest it?please help….

  29. Thanks for this. Extremely irritating that my printer gives this error often, but after 3/4/20 attempts, it saves me the trip to the repair shop and money.

  30. Just stopped printing for no reason, paper would feed, and make all the right noises but nothing was actually printed.
    Came across this post, which wasn’t easy to find, and like many others on here had to persevere many times but it was a success. MANY THANKS!!

  31. I have a Canon MP560 received error mssg 6C10. Tried cleaning the ink pads several times and even did the reset thing like three times. Nothing seems to be working. Printer is about 3/4 yrs old, should I try the effort or just buy a new one? Ink cartridges are still full 🙁

    1. If this solution has not worked for you then you will need to get it repaired or replaced.

    2. Good luck Eva with getting any response/assistance. I have heard nothing and think the same as you. Perhaps buy a new printer but like you, I have brand new ink cartridges as well. Oh well, it seems we may as well cut our losses and buy a new printer!

      Cheers,
      Retty 🙂

  32. A Canon MG2100 series has no “Resume” button. The button with triangle inside a circle is marked “Stop/Reset”. When I press this down as instructed and then push “Power”, I get no green led light. Suggestions? Thanks for any help.

    1. Hi Matt,

      If you can I would refer to the manual but I know in other models the resume button can be the green diamond.

  33. Fantastic! I’ve been getting the ‘alert’ that the Printer Ink Absorber has been almost full for about a year now. It finally told me it WAS full and that I’d have to contact a Canon provider. I thought my old i455 was ready for the scrap heap. I followed your instructions and VOILA! It worked! Many thanks, Carl!

  34. thankyou so much. I cant fix it for hours before T-T, until I found your post. Thank you so so so so much. I love you T-T T-T T-T

  35. wow. this is type of solution for a problem that you appreciate people like you and the internet. thank you!

  36. Have MP460 – always been reliable until this error message came up. Had to follow your instructions several times but it is now clear. Many thanks. saved me getting rid of a perfectly good printer.;

  37. cheers, its still being tempramental, and i have to do this procedure more than i would like. but so helpful. thanks a million. it will do me till i can purchase another printer. thanks matey.

  38. I’ve tried this repeatedly on MG5220 to no avail. Before getting the 6c10 error message I got a 6A81. Somehow that cleared and now I’m getting this 6c10. Please help.

  39. thanks guys it works , i tried it on my canon iP1800 its good, … but for how long does it last?

  40. This instruction is obviously not applicable to the mx410 because a) the descriptions are not accurate (“resume is a “stop” button and there is no green light only amber and blue) and b) because they don’t work for the mx410. For some reason, I can find information on resetting the ink absorber for almost every canon printer other than the mx410. Why is this one so obscure?

  41. I have two MP-287, I faced twice this problem. and both the time i called Canan service engineer. He insert one Pen drive in my pC and reset the Counter. and both the time he charge me for Rs. 500/- for this reseting.

  42. I have a canon MP495 and I have tried all the instructions over and over again. All the ink absorber sponges have been changed. Nothing is resetting the error message. besides getting another printer, is there anything else to try?

  43. I have a Canon MP560 and the C610 error. Found your advice and had to repeat it 3 times, and now I CAN PRINT AGAIN.

    Thank you very much. Simply the best

    Ulla Jepsen, Denmark.

  44. I have a Canon MG6100 series. I have been seeing the message 5B00. Printer error. Contact service center. I have tried your suggestion with no results. I have to turn it on to find the resume button. When I hold it it flashes amber not green to amber. Totally frustrated. If I could get the cartridges out I would be satisfied.

  45. Pefect solution.
    Works on my Canon Pixma MP980 with error-code 6C10 .
    Finally after I tried other solutions, like cleaning the purge unit and emptying the ink tank, this is the solution that works.
    Thank you very much.
    Frank from Germany

  46. Hi!
    My canon mg5350 show error “B200”
    I tried to reset ink absorber, but it still goes back on showing error “B200”
    I have cleaned the printerhead, without touching the circuit board on the printerhead, dried it.
    Should i remove the ink absorber?

  47. i tried it several times but it not shaws any change on my canon pixma ip 7240

  48. Worked for me on a MX700. Had to follow the instructions carefully. Other instructions I found were similar but not exactly the same. I was just about to buy a new printer.Thanks!

  49. Thanks for all… it’s working for me 🙂 happy happy happy! Super! BIG THANKS!
    i’m using canon pixma 3000

  50. Thank you so much for this advice! Two weeks without a printer – what a drag! – and it was so easy to get it to work again!

  51. Thank you for the tip it worked i was going to go buy a new one thank you saving me the money with a simple fix.

  52. Great.
    It worked nice and easily with my MP510 compared the Servicetool- program that I tried earlier.
    Thanks a lot.

  53. I tried this method on my canon mg 2540 but it doesn’t work. I repeated it several times n um sure I follow the steps correctly. I is there any other method or a specific software? help plz

  54. I tried this several times, I have a canon mg5350 but i still cannot get it to print. This morning I was printing a 4 page document, as it was printing the end of the 2nd last page it smeared, then it got to the last page printed a couple of lines and the rest of the page was blank. I have changed all the ink cartridges, deep cleaned, cleaned the roller, cleaned the ink pads, taken the ink carriage out and cleaned that also. Tried your steps at the top of the page, but with no luck. Is there anything else you can suggest. I have turned both my MAC and printer off several times. thanks

  55. It did not work on MG2920. I contacted CANON and was told that the printer can not be repaired and should go to recycle centre. What a waste of natural resources! Canon just want to get more business. Is it a Gimmick or Scam?

    By the way, I opened it up and found that, the ink absorber was not really wet (Never mind FULL). There was no optical/ mechanical/ electrical sensor to monitor the degree of wetness of the ink absorbing sponge.

    My guess is that the printer was pre-programmed to quit after X number of prints was reached just using an excuse, say the “INK ABSORBER is FULL”. This is just the same way to say that a ink cartridge is empty and in fact the ink cartridge is still half-full !!!!

  56. By cleaning the black piece under where the ink cartridges sit in, it worked once again for me. Just take the two ink cartridges out, lift the metal piece up and remove the black piece out. Wipe the sides and plastic piece to remove all of the ink build up and then replace. Solved a huge headache for me. Good luck

  57. Hey guys am using Canon pixma 7240. It gives me an error saying check the printer on display. What should I do

  58. Tried Carl’s method several times. I was about to give up, then in frustration, I mashed down the resume button 15-20 times….and it suddenly started printing. Thanks Carl, you sent me in the right direction.

  59. Ok, all good. Left it off for 10 minutes, restarted the computer and we are good to go again.
    Thanks for the post and replies, very useful….

  60. does this work on every canon model? i have canon pixma p200 and nothing happened. it just went black and never turned on until i unplug and plug it again and still not working after it went on again.

  61. Thanks SO much!! I was about to buy a new printer but searched and found your solution. It worked perfectly!!! I’ve had this printer for 12 years and can’t believe I’ll still be able to use it…hopefully for a good while longer.

  62. I read all the comments and they all just confirm the general consensus that the printer business is a giant hoax with planned unnecessary obsolescence. When you just think of a little plastic cartridge holding a minimal amount of ink being sold for $30, that pretty much says it all. Printer companies should have a gigantic class action lawsuit launched against them for these shady practices that end up with our natural environment being destroyed by all the waste. Shame on all of them.

  63. 9 years after this post was created, the fix still works! Got it on the first try and my printer is back on track. Thanks so much! 🙂

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