The “Ink Absorber Full” / service required message on Canon TS6160 is common after many cleaning cycles. In most cases, a counter reset restores printing.

Ink absorber pads store waste ink during normal operation. Canon firmware tracks this using a software counter and may stop printing when it reaches the limit.

This page is prepared for Canon TS6160. Service mode instructions are shown only when a matching series procedure is known.

What You May Notice

• 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 TS6160

If your Canon TS6160 supports service mode reset, follow the steps below before performing the counter 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 5 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.

Finalize the Reset and Restore Printing

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

Before You Continue

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

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

Common Fixes

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