Canon PIXMA MG2950 Waste Ink Absorber 5B00 Reset

User question

Hledám způsob, jak resetovat chybu odpadního inkoustu na Canon MG2950

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

For a Canon PIXMA MG2950 with waste-ink / absorber error, usually Support Code 5B00 or a similar absorber-full message, the proper repair is:

1. Physically deal with the waste ink absorber pads — replace, clean, or at least inspect them.
2. Enter Service Mode on the printer.
3. Reset the ink absorber counter using a compatible Canon service tool or professional service equipment.

Canon’s official position is that when error 5B00 appears, the ink absorber is full and must be replaced; the printer may stop printing to prevent ink overflow. (ij.manual.canon)

Important correction: do not buy a WIC Reset key blindly for the MG2950. Current WIC model-search data lists Canon PIXMA MG2950 / MG2900 as “NO”, meaning not supported for reset by that utility at the time indexed. (wicreset.info)

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Detailed problem analysis

What the error means

The MG2950 stores a calculated waste-ink value in non-volatile memory. During head cleaning, priming, and borderless printing, ink is pumped into internal absorber pads. When the internal counter reaches the programmed limit, the printer blocks printing and reports an absorber-full condition, commonly 5B00. Canon describes this condition as “ink absorber full” and recommends absorber replacement / service. (ij.manual.canon)

A counter reset alone does not remove the ink from the pads. If the pads are saturated, resetting the counter can lead to ink leakage into the printer base, desk, or electronics.

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Practical reset procedure for Canon MG2950

1. Prepare the printer

• Use a USB cable, not Wi-Fi.
• Use a Windows PC if using Canon-style service software.
• Remove pending print jobs.
• Disconnect other unnecessary USB printer devices.
• Put a few sheets of paper in the rear tray, because some service tools print a diagnostic or EEPROM page.

2. Enter Service Mode

The MG2950-specific procedure commonly reported is:

1. Turn the printer off, but leave it connected to power.
2. Connect it to the PC by USB.
3. Press and hold STOP / RESET.
4. While holding STOP, press and hold POWER.
5. Keep holding POWER, then release STOP.
6. While still holding POWER, press STOP 5 times.
7. Release POWER.
8. Wait until the green power light stops blinking and stays on.

A MG2950 forum procedure specifically describes the 5 STOP-press sequence and then using a service tool to reset the counter. (elektroda.com)

However, some generic Canon MG-series WIC instructions state 6 STOP presses for MG models. (wicreset.info) Therefore, for the MG2950 I would try 5 presses first. If the printer does not enter Service Mode, power it off, unplug it for 10–15 seconds, then try 6 presses.

A successful Service Mode entry usually results in the printer being detected by Windows as a service-mode Canon device. The printer may not appear under its normal name.

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3. Reset the absorber counter

If you have a compatible Canon service tool:

1. Run the service tool as administrator.
2. Look for Ink Absorber Counter.
3. Select Main absorber if the option exists.
4. Set Counter Value (%) to 0.
5. Click Set.
6. Power the printer off.
7. Disconnect power for 10–30 seconds.
8. Restart normally.

The MG2950 reset procedure discussed online uses the service tool, checks communication with EEPROM, then uses Counter Value (%) = 0 and SET. Error 006 usually means the printer was not properly in Service Mode or communication failed. (elektroda.com)

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Very important warnings

Avoid random Canon Service Tool downloads

Canon service tools are frequently redistributed unofficially, often with malware or with versions unsuitable for a given printer generation. More importantly, there are reports of MG2950 printers becoming effectively “soft-bricked” after using an outdated or incompatible service tool. In one MG2950 case, the user reported that after using an outdated service tool the printer could no longer enter Service Mode and froze with an orange light. (printerknowledge.com)

Another MG2950-related repair discussion reports that Service Tool v4720 blocked Service Mode on that printer, and recovery required SPI flash / EEPROM-level work. (printerknowledge.com)

So I would not recommend experimenting with random versions such as v3400, v4720, etc. unless you are prepared for possible EEPROM corruption.

WIC Reset Utility is probably not the solution for MG2950

Some general guides say WIC Reset Utility can reset Canon waste-ink counters, and WIC documentation says it supports some Canon models. (wicresetutility.com) But the current WIC printer search result specifically lists Canon PIXMA MG2950 and MG2900 as not supported. (wicreset.info)

Therefore:

• Do not buy a WIC reset key before checking support inside the current WIC utility.
• If the MG2950 is still shown as unsupported, WIC will not reset it.

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Supporting explanations and details

Why Canon blocks the printer

The absorber is not a “tank” with a level sensor. It is usually a set of felt / foam pads in the bottom of the chassis. The printer estimates waste ink by counting cleaning cycles and ink-pumping operations. Once the estimate reaches the limit, it stops printing to avoid overflow.

This is why there are two separate tasks:

Task	Purpose	Required?
Clean / replace absorber pads	Prevent physical ink leakage	Yes, if continuing to use the printer
Reset counter	Clear the electronic lockout	Yes, to remove 5B00
Enter Service Mode	Allows EEPROM/service commands	Yes
Normal button reset only	Usually insufficient on MG2950	No reliable standalone reset

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Practical guidelines

If you want the safest route

Use one of these options:

1. Canon / printer repair service
   Best from a reliability and legal standpoint, but may cost more than the printer is worth.

2. Replace or clean absorber pads yourself, then use a known-compatible service reset method
   Reasonable if you accept the risk.

3. Replace the printer
   Often economically rational for low-cost MG-series printers.

If cleaning the absorber yourself

General precautions:

• Wear gloves; waste ink stains badly.
• Work on absorbent paper or plastic sheet.
• Photograph each disassembly step.
• Remove the absorber pads carefully.
• Rinse with lukewarm water until mostly clear.
• Dry completely — usually 24–48 hours minimum.
• Reinstall only when fully dry.
• Do not operate the printer with wet pads inside.

Do not reset the counter and continue printing indefinitely without addressing the pads.

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Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• The MG2950 appears to be a problematic model for software reset because incompatible service tools can block Service Mode or corrupt service data.
• I cannot recommend pirated or unofficial Canon service-tool downloads.
• If the printer now freezes with a solid orange light when trying to enter Service Mode, it may already have a corrupted service/EEPROM state. In that case, repair may require board-level work such as SPI flash access, which is usually not economical for this printer. (printerknowledge.com)

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Brief summary

To reset a Canon MG2950 waste-ink error:

• Confirm the error is 5B00 / absorber full.
• Clean or replace the waste ink pads.
• Enter Service Mode using the STOP + POWER sequence; try 5 STOP presses first, then 6 if needed.
• Reset the Ink Absorber Counter with a compatible Canon service tool.
• Avoid random old service-tool versions; they can brick the MG2950.
• Do not rely on WIC Reset for this model unless the current WIC utility explicitly shows MG2950 support, because current WIC search data lists it as unsupported.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.