High severity Hardware Code: 5B00 / 5B01 Canon

Canon error 5B00 (ink absorber / waste pad full)

Code 5B00 (also 5B01/1700) means the waste-ink absorber counter has reached its limit. The proper fix is replacing/servicing the absorber pad; a software reset only clears the counter temporarily.

Symptoms

  • "Error 5B00" / support code 1700
  • Printer refuses to print
  • Often on older high-use PIXMA units

Likely causes

  • Waste-ink absorber pad saturated
  • Heavy use / many head cleanings
  • Counter reached its safety limit

How to fix it — step by step

Work through these in order; most people are fixed by the first two or three.

Understand the warning

This is a maintenance limit, not a random fault — the absorber that catches waste ink is near full. Continuing without service risks ink overflow.

Service or replace the pad

The correct fix is having the waste-ink pad replaced (a service center) so it can safely hold more waste ink.

Temporary counter reset

A service-mode reset can clear the counter to keep printing short-term, but only do this knowing the pad still needs attention.

Weigh repair vs replace

On inexpensive models, replacement may cost less than service — factor that in.

Still not fixed? For hardware faults still under warranty, contact the manufacturer's official support. This is an independent guide — always confirm steps for your exact model in its manual.

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