How to Fix Canon E500 ink absorber full error, support code 5B02, 5B03, 5B04, 5B05, 5B12, 5B13, 5B14, 5B15

The waste ink absorber on the Canon E500 is divided into four parts, namely Main ink absorber (black), Main ink absorber (color), Platen ink absorber (away), and Platen ink absorber (home).

The waste ink counter value is stored in the EEPROM data. When a full ink absorber error appears, one of the four ink absorbers has reached the maximum value of 100%.

Problem Description

Operator Call Error

• A warning message that appears when the ink absorber is almost full. The user can continue printing by pressing the OK button when this warning message appears.
• Error: Warning: The ink absorber becomes almost full.
• Support code 1702 / 1703: Main black ink absorber almost full
• Support code 1704 / 1705: Main color ink absorber almost full
• Support code 1712 / 1713: Platen home ink absorber almost full
• Support code 1714 / 1715: Platen away ink absorber almost full
• LED display: E08
• Message on the LCD: The ink absorber is almost full. Select [OK] to continue printing. Contact the service center for replacement.

Service Call Error

• A warning message that appears when the ink absorber is full. Printer error and must be repaired immediately by replacing the ink absorber and resetting the waste ink counter.
• Cycles of LED blinking: 7 times
• Error: Ink absorber full
• Support code 5B02 / 5B03: Main black ink absorber full
• Support code 5B04 / 5B05: Main color ink absorber full
• Support code 5B12 / 5B13: Platen home ink absorber full
• Support code 5B14 / 5B15: Platen away ink absorber full
• LED display: P07
• Message on the LCD: The ink absorber is full. Contact the service center for replacement.

Solution

1.  Easy Replacement
     1a.  Easy replacement of ink absorber
     1b.  Reset the ink absorber counter
2.  Regular Replacement

     2a.  Regular replacement of ink absorber

     2b.  Reset the ink absorber counter

3.  Parts

4.  Questions and Answers

1.  Easy Replacement

- Main ink absorber (Black): 100% replaceable

- Main ink absorber (Color): 70% replaceable

- Set Main_Black: 0%

- Set Main_Color: 30%

1a.  Easy replacement of ink absorber

1)  Remove the right side cover (4 screws).

2)  Release the two claws and tube, then take out the Ink Absorber Cover with the Main Ink Absorbers (Black & Color) fitted in.

3)  Replace the ink absorbers with the new ones.

4)  Replace the Black Ink Absorber at the bottom.

5)  Install the Ink Absorber Cover with the new Ink Absorbers in the machine, and lock the claws.

6)  Connect the tube.

7)  Attach the right side cover.

1b.  Reset the ink absorber counter

1b1.  Enter Service Mode

1b2.  Reset the ink absorber counter

1b1.  Enter Service Mode

Before resetting, the printer must be in Service Mode.

Service mode operation procedures:

1. The Power cable is connected to the printer, the USB cable is connected to the computer, and the printer is turned off.

2.  Press and hold the Stop/Reset button.

3.  Press and hold the ON button (do not release both buttons.)

4.  When the Plain Paper LED lights in green while holding the ON button, release the Stop/Reset button.

5.  While holding the ON button, press the Stop/Reset button 5 times, then release ON button.

6.  Wait for a while, the Plain Paper LED will flash and finally turn green. If Plain Paper is green, it means the printer has entered Service Mode.

Note

-  If the Plain Paper LED keeps blinking, it means the printer failed to enter Service Mode. Turn off the printer and then repeat the above procedure correctly.

-  If the procedure to enter the Service Mode has been carried out correctly, but the Plain Paper LED continues to flash, repeat the above procedure, in step #5, press the Stop/Reset button 6 times "5. While holding the ON button, press the Stop/Reset button 6 times, then release ON button."

-  Press Stop/Reset button 5 times: enter Service Mode with scanner.

-  Press Stop/Reset button 6 times: enter Service Mode without scanner.

1b2.  Reset the ink absorber counter

• Download Service Tool v.3400
• Extract file and open Service Tool.
• Load paper A4 or Letter (4 sheets.)

• For your reference in servicing, click EEPROM (1) information print before resetting.

D_BK = 100.0

D_CL = 083.2
Dp_AW = 001.1
Dp_HM = 000.3

For Easy Replacement, D_BK is reset to 0% while D_CL is reset to 30%

• Ink Absorber Counter - Absorber - Main_Black (2). Counter Value(%) = 0% (3). Click Set (4). Wait a few moments, the printer will print D(BK=000.0 CL=083.2) Dp(AW=001.1 HM=000.3), which means the Main black ink absorber (D_BK) has been reset to 0%.
• Ink Absorber Counter - Absorber - Main_Color (5). Counter Value(%) = 30% (6). Click Set (7). Wait a few moments, the printer will print D(BK=000.0 CL=030.0) Dp(AW=001.1 HM=000.3), which means the Main color ink absorber (D_CL) has been reset to 30%.
• Click EEPROM (8) information print once again after resetting.
• Compare EEPROM information before and after reset. If the value of D (BK=000.0 CL=030.0)  Dp(AW=001.1 HM=000.3) that means the printer has been reset. Turn off the printer (wait for 15 seconds), turn on printer and printer ready to use. Done.

2.  Regular Replacement

- Main ink absorber (Black): 100% replaceable

- Main ink absorber (Color): 100% replaceable

- Set Main_Black: 0%

- Set Main_Color: 0%

2a.  Regular replacement of ink absorber

1.  Remove the right side cover (4 screws)

2.  Remove the left side cover (2 screws)

3.  Remove the operation panel cover.

4.  Remove the operation panel.

5.  Remove the LAN board unit.

6.  Remove the power switch unit.

7.  Remove the scanner middle frame (3 screws, 1 connector, 1 claw)

8.  Unlock the carriage by pressing the lock to the back of the machine. Slide the carriage to the left.

9.  Remove the HS door (2 screws).

10.  Remove the cap blade unit (4 screws, 2 tubes).

11.  Release the 2 claws and tube, then take out the Ink Absorber Cover with the Ink Absorbers fitted in.

12.  Replace the 3 sheets of ink absorbers in the bottom unit.

13)  Replace the ink absorbers in the Ink Absorber Cover to the new ones, and install them in the machine.

14)  Install and attach the cap blade unit, HS door, scanner middle frame, and right side cover.

2b.  Reset the ink absorber counter

2b1.  Enter Service Mode

2b2.  Reset the ink absorber counter

2b1.  Enter Service Mode

Before resetting, the printer must be in Service Mode.

Service mode operation procedures:

1. The Power cable is connected to the printer, the USB cable is connected to the computer, and the printer is turned off.

2.  Press and hold the Stop/Reset button.

3.  Press and hold the ON button (do not release both buttons.)

4.  When the Plain Paper LED lights in green while holding the ON button, release the Stop/Reset button.

5.  While holding the ON button, press the Stop/Reset button 5 times, then release ON button.

6.  Wait for a while, the Plain Paper LED will flash and finally turn green. If Plain Paper is green, it means the printer has entered Service Mode.

Note

-  If the Plain Paper LED keeps blinking, it means the printer failed to enter Service Mode. Turn off the printer and then repeat the above procedure correctly.

-  If the procedure to enter the Service Mode has been carried out correctly, but the Plain Paper LED continues to flash, repeat the above procedure, in step #4, press the Stop/Reset button 6 times "5. While holding the ON button, press the Stop/Reset button 6 times, then release ON button."

-  Press Stop/Reset button 5 times: enter Service Mode with scanner.

-  Press Stop/Reset button 6 times: enter Service Mode without scanner.

2b2.  Reset the ink absorber counter

To reset error Ink absorber is full used Canon Service Tool v.3400.

• Download Service Tool v.3400
• Extract file and open Service Tool.
• Load paper A4 or Letter (4 sheets.)

• For your reference in servicing, click EEPROM (1) information print before resetting.

D_BK = 100.0

D_CL = 083.2
Dp_AW = 001.1
Dp_HM = 000.3

For Easy Replacement, D_BK is reset to 0% while D_CL is reset to 0%

• Ink Absorber Counter - Absorber - Main_Black (2). Counter Value(%) = 0% (3). Click Set (4). Wait a few moments, the printer will print D(BK=000.0 CL=083.2) Dp(AW=001.1 HM=000.3), which means the Main black ink absorber (D_BK) has been reset to 0%.
• Ink Absorber Counter - Absorber - Main_Color (5). Counter Value(%) = 0% (6). Click Set (7). Wait a few moments, the printer will print D(BK=000.0 CL=000.0) Dp(AW=001.1 HM=000.3), which means the Main color ink absorber (D_CL) has been reset to 0%.
• Click EEPROM (8) information print once again after resetting.
• Compare EEPROM information before and after reset. If the value of D (BK=000.0 CL=000.0)  Dp(AW=001.1 HM=000.3) that means the printer has been reset. Turn off the printer (wait for 15 seconds), turn on printer and printer ready to use. Done.

3.  Parts

The ink absorber for Canon E500 can be purchased at the online shop with the spare part number:

Canon E500

- Cover main ink absorber = QC3-6058-000

- Main ink absorber = QY5-0356-000

- Platen ink absorber = QC3-5950-000

4.  Questions and Answers

Q: If the new ink absorber is not available, can the old ink absorber be reused?

A: If you have trouble getting a new absorbent, an alternative solution is to wash and dry the old absorbent. Try to keep the ink absorber fluffy after cleaning.

Q: Can the waste ink reservoir be modified?

A; Yes, the waste ink reservoir can be modified. Please pay attention to the image below.

Materials needed: hose with a length of 50 cm, transparent plastic bottles.

Repairing the printer for an error the ink absorber becomes full is done in two stages. If you have trouble doing it yourself, we highly recommend asking the Canon Service Center for help or a professional in printer repair.