How to Fix Canon Printer Error P07, 5B00, and Ink Absorber Full

Canon Printer Errors Indication

An error indicates a problem. When an issue arises in any printer, it shows there’s a malfunction. In Canon printers, error codes are displayed in various ways, such as P03, P02, P09, E03, and E05. If the printer has a small display, the error code will appear there. For printers without a display, the error is indicated through blinking lights.

For example, if there’s an E05 error, the orange alarm light will blink five times, pause, and then repeat. For a P02 error, the orange alarm light will blink twice along with the green power light, pause, and then repeat. These signals help identify the specific issue with the printer.

When printing from a computer or laptop, errors are shown on the system with corresponding error codes like 5200, 5B00, or 5400. Learn more about these errors, their causes, and how the indicator lamps work.

1. Understanding Canon Printer Errors: P07, 5B00, and Ink Absorber Full

What These Errors Mean

When Canon inkjet printers power on, they automatically perform a cleaning cycle. During this process, excess ink is collected and stored inside the printer's ink absorber kit. To prevent ink spillage and protect internal components, Canon printers use an EEPROM chip to monitor ink absorption levels.

Once the ink absorber reaches its maximum capacity, the printer displays one of three error codes: P07, 5B00, or "Ink Absorber Full." These common error messages appear across all Canon inkjet printer models.

Why These Errors Occur

These errors happen because the ink absorber in the printer is designed to hold only a limited amount of waste ink. As you print or use cleaning functions, the absorber gradually fills up. Canon printers usually warn you about this issue before it causes bigger problems.

The P07 and 5B00 errors are safety measures to stop the printer from working when the ink absorber is full, preventing damage. It's the printer's way of saying, "Fix this issue before it gets worse."

Another common cause is regular wear and tear from heavy use. If you print a lot or run cleaning cycles often, the ink absorber can fill up faster than expected

2. The Role of the Ink Absorber in Canon Printers

What is the Ink Absorber?

The ink absorber kit in a printer is a maintenance package that helps manage waste ink. Let me explain it simply:

Main Parts of an Ink Absorber Kit:

1. Ink absorbing pads or sponges - special foam materials that soak up extra ink

2. Collection tray - holds the absorbing pads and catches any overflow

3. Waste ink tubes - small pipes that guide waste ink to the absorber pads

How It Works: Your printer creates waste ink during two main activities:

• When it cleans its print heads

• When it does maintenance tasks

This extra ink flows through the waste ink tubes and gets collected in the absorbing pads, much like how a paper towel soaks up spilled water. Without this system, the waste ink would leak inside your printer and could damage important parts.

Location: The ink absorber kit is usually found at the bottom of your printer. This makes sense because:

• Ink naturally flows downward

• It's easier to contain any potential spills

• It keeps the mess away from important electronic parts

Think of it like the oil pan in a car - it catches and holds waste material to keep the rest of the machine running smoothly.

Purpose:

1. Protects your printer from ink damage

2. Keeps the internal parts clean

3. Prevents ink from leaking onto your desk or floor

4. Helps maintain print quality by managing excess ink

Signs of a Full Ink Absorber

When your printer's ink absorber gets too full (like a sponge that can't soak up any more water), your printer will stop working. Here's how you can tell the ink absorber is full:

• Error Messages: You will often be greeted with an error message such as P07, 5B00, or a message on the system that will specifically indicate that the "ink absorber is full."

• Printing Issues: After filling excess ink, the ink starts flowing which comes on the paper while printing

3. What is the Canon Service Tool?

Overview and Purpose

The Canon Service Tool is a specialized software developed by Canon for its printers. It is primarily used to troubleshoot printer issues, access printer information, and address specific errors like P07, 5B00, and 'Ink Absorber Full.'

This tool is designed to resolve these errors effectively. However, it is available only to authorized service centers and their technicians. The Canon Service Tool is licensed and not intended for general public use.

How to Obtain the Canon Service Tool

The Canon Service Tool is a licensed tool, available only at Canon's authorized service centers. After extracting the .rar file for the tool, open the service tool and generate the .sir file. This file must be sent to an authorized representative, who processes it and provides a .sif file in return. Once you upload the .sif file into the service tool, it becomes ready for use.

Although everything is available on Google, including this tool, older versions of the Canon Service Tool were sometimes usable without a license. However, these older tools were designed for older printer models. Using an outdated tool on newer printers can damage the printer's main board.

4. What is Service Mode in Canon Printers?

Understanding Service Mode

Service Mode is like a hidden menu in your Canon printer. Think of it as going "behind the scenes" of your printer's normal settings.

When you put your printer in Service Mode, you can:

• Clear error messages (like P07 and 5B00)

• Reset printer counters

• Language Change

• Do special maintenance tasks

It's similar to how your phone has a special menu when you enter certain button combinations - Service Mode lets you do things that you can't do with the regular printer buttons and menus.

Activating Service Mode

Entering Service Mode can vary depending on the model of your Canon printer. Here’s a general guide on how to activate Service Mode:

Old Models: Canon Pixma MP287, MG2570, G1000, G2000, G3000, G4000, E470, and MX328

• Turn off the printer.

• Press and hold the Stop button.

• Press and hold the Power button.

• Release the Stop button while keeping the Power button pressed.

• Press and release the Stop button 5 times. (orange and green lights will blink up and down)

• Press and hold the Stop button.

• Release the Power and Stop buttons together.

New Models: G1730, G2010, G3010, G6070, G5070, GX4070, GX7070, G3770, GM2070, GM4070

• Press and hold the Power button.

• Press and release the Stop button 5 times. (orange and green lights will blink up and down)

• Press and hold the Stop button.

• Release the Power and Stop buttons together.

5. How to Use the Canon Service Tool to Fix Errors

Resetting the Ink Absorber Counter

The most common uses of the Canon Service Tool are resetting the ink absorber counter. Your Canon printer will show error codes P07 or 5B00, indicating the printer's internal ink absorber is full. But you do not need to have the ink absorber changed physically; instead, this tool will reset the counter for you. Here is how to do it:

1. Enter Service Mode on Your Printer: You’ll need to activate Service Mode on your printer, as described in the previous section. This step allows the Service Tool to interact with your printer’s internal settings.

2. Connect Your Printer: Ensure your printer is connected to your computer using a USB cable or a network connection. This allows the Canon Service Tool to communicate with the printer effectively.

3. Launch the Service Tool: Open the Canon Service Tool on your computer. After connecting, the serial number of your printer will be displayed in the upper header which will indicate that your printer has been connected to the tool.

4. Select the Correct Function: Select your region in Set Destination like JPN, ASA and click on set then set it on Clear Ink Counter then a print will come then set the Ink absorber counter to 0 only

5. Confirm and Restart: Once completed, restart your printer. The error codes should be cleared, and your printer will be ready to print again.

Running Diagnostic Tests

There are additional printer functions, you can use the Canon Service Tool to run diagnostic tests. These tests can help identify problems with the printhead, paper feed, and another internal configuration page. Here's how:

1. EPPROM: EPPROM contains many details about the printer such as the printer's serial number, model number, when the printer was started, how many times the cartridge has been changed, how many pages have been printed, etc.

2. For Testing: There are many options for testing like nozzle check, error status, window test page, paper feed, scanner testing, and many more.

3. Cleaning Function: There are two types of cleaning modes: Normal Cleaning and Deep Cleaning. You can clean a single printhead, either black or color, depending on the issue. This helps improve your printer's print quality.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Canon Service Tool also offers options to perform deep cleaning or maintenance cycles on your printer. This is useful if you encounter issues like poor print quality, ink smudges, or streaking:

1. Print Head Cleaning: The tool can run deep cleaning cycles for the printhead, which can help clear any clogged nozzles. This is useful if your printer is producing faded prints or missing colors.

2. Ink System Reset: If the ink system has become misaligned, the tool can help reset it to its factory settings, improving print quality and resolving issues related to ink flow.