Waste ink absorber on canon iP 1600

I tried a few times... I have done this alot to many different canon printers. This is what worked for me.

1. Unplug AC (and usb just for good measure)
2. Hold Start while plugging in...
3. While still holding Start press Resume twice.
4. This then allows for Removal of Ink Cartridges(if you are past the limit)... a very important step apparently.
5. Now repeat Step 1... Step 2
6. Now press the Resume 4 times (only blinks for 1st two presses !)
7. Should be ready...

Good luck. I was very happy when this worked for me.


For Canon ip1000 and ip1600, maybe others

1. remove cartridges
2. unplug AC power
3. hold power button and plug AC power (keep holding power button.
4. press resume 4 times


The waste ink counter should be reset by now



I seemed to have solved this by:
Turn off printer
Disconnect cable
Press and hold on button whilst connecting cable
Green button will be on
Press and release resume button
Press and release resume button again
On button should go green and all be well
I turned the printer on and off a couple of times and printed just to check.



Most likely the pad will not need cleaning, the Canon software detects the waste ink in a small tank below the pad and causes this error.

You can reset the waste ink counter by following the procedure below:

1) With the printer powered off but connected to a power source, press the Power button while pressing and holding
the Stop/ Reset button.
2) When the Power is lit, press the Stop/Reset button two times while pressing and holding the Power button.
3) When releasing the Power button and the Stop / Reset button (regardless of order), the printer will move into a
service mode. (Waiting for menu selection)
4) When the on/off lights in green, press the Stop/Reset button the specified number of time(s) according to the
function listed in the table below.(Each time the Stop/Reset button is pressed, the LED lights alternately in
orange and green, starting with orange.)note: press 4 times for waste ink counter reset.

The number of the Reset
button pressing
LED Function Remarks
0 time Green Power off
1 time Orange Service pattern print
2 times Green EEPROM print
3 times Orange EEPROM reset
4 times Green Waste ink counter reset