Canon MG8170 Ink Absorber Full Reset

If your Canon MG8170 suddenly refuses to print and shows a maintenance or service warning, the ink absorber counter may have reached its limit.

During head cleaning, surplus ink is routed to internal absorber pads. Canon MG8170 monitors this via a counter and can lock printing at a threshold.

This page is prepared for Canon MG8170. 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

How to Enter Service Mode on Canon MG8170

If your Canon MG8170 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 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.

Clear the Ink Absorber / Waste Ink Counter

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.

Need a reset solution?

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

Troubleshooting

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

Frequently Asked Questions