Canon MG4160 Ink Absorber Full Reset

The “Ink Absorber Full” / service required message on Canon MG4160 is common after many cleaning cycles. In most cases, a counter reset restores printing.

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 MG4160. 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 MG4160

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.

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

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

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

Troubleshooting

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

FAQ