If your Canon MG3220 suddenly refuses to print and shows a maintenance or service warning, the ink absorber counter may have reached its limit.

Inside Canon printers, absorber pads collect excess ink from cleaning and maintenance cycles. The printer uses an internal counter to estimate pad saturation.

This page is prepared for Canon MG3220. Service mode instructions are shown only when a matching series procedure is known.

How the Error Appears

• Service / maintenance warning on the screen or driver
• Printer refuses to print even with ink available
• Blinking lights and queued jobs fail
• Error reappears after restart

How to Enter Service Mode on Canon MG3220

Some Canon series require entering service mode before the ink absorber counter can be reset.

1. Turn the printer OFF.
2. Press and hold Stop/Reset.
3. While holding Stop/Reset, press and hold Power.
4. Release Stop/Reset (keep holding Power).
5. Press Stop/Reset 6 times.
6. Release Power — the printer should enter service mode.

If it doesn’t work, repeat the sequence carefully. The press count depends on the series.

Reset the Ink Absorber Counter

Completing the reset clears the internal ink absorber counter stored in printer memory and restores normal operation.

Warnings

Treat the reset as a maintenance step. If your printer has extremely high usage, consider cleaning/replacing absorber pads to avoid overflow.

Reset tools and instructions

For best results, avoid rushing button presses—consistent timing matters.

Common Fixes

• Use the correct Stop/Reset press count for your series.
• Try a different USB cable/port if using PC software.
• Power-cycle the printer and try again.
• Close other Canon printer utilities while resetting.
• Repeat the service mode steps carefully (timing matters).

FAQ