When Canon MX538 triggers an ink absorber full condition, the printer may block printing as a protective measure. The solution is typically a waste ink counter reset.

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 MX538. Service mode instructions are shown only when a matching series procedure is known.

Typical Signs

• 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

Perform the Waste Ink Counter Reset

After service mode is enabled (if required), the waste ink counter can be reset using a supported reset procedure/software.

Important Notes

If absorber pads are truly saturated, ignoring maintenance can lead to ink leakage inside the printer. The counter reset only removes the software lock.

Download & get started

Use a reliable USB connection and follow the steps in order.

Troubleshooting

• Repeat the service mode steps carefully (timing matters).
• Close other Canon printer utilities while resetting.
• 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.

FAQ