How to Reset the Waste Ink Absorber on Canon MAXIFY MegaTank GX5170, GX6170, and GX7170
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Many users search for information about how to reset the waste ink absorber, reset the waste ink counter, or fix a maintenance cartridge full error on these printers.
However, there is an important difference between older Canon printers that use internal waste-ink absorber pads and newer MAXIFY MegaTank models that use a user-replaceable maintenance cartridge.
What Is the Waste Ink Absorber on a Canon MAXIFY GX Series Printer?
During normal operation, the printer periodically performs cleaning and maintenance cycles. A small amount of ink is discharged during these processes.The waste ink is collected in a dedicated maintenance cartridge. Canon identifies the MC-G01 as the maintenance cartridge used by the MAXIFY GX6170.
The maintenance cartridge is designed to be replaced when it becomes full. Canon states that when the maintenance cartridge is full, printing stops to help prevent ink leakage.
For this reason, a “full absorber” or “waste ink” warning should not automatically be treated as a simple software problem.
Compatible Printers
This guide covers the following Canon MAXIFY MegaTank models:Canon MAXIFY GX5170
Canon MAXIFY GX6170
Canon MAXIFY GX7170
The exact menu names and error messages may vary slightly depending on the printer's firmware and regional version.
Canon Maintenance Cartridge MC-G01
For the GX6170, Canon lists MC-G01 as the maintenance cartridge. Canon describes the cartridge as easy to replace and specifically designed to simplify printer maintenance.
Does the Canon GX5170, GX6170, or GX7170 Have a Simple Absorber Reset?
In general, there is no standard user-menu command that simply resets a traditional internal waste-ink absorber counter on these models.Instead, Canon's intended maintenance procedure is to replace the maintenance cartridge when it reaches its capacity.
This is different from some older Canon PIXMA models where technicians may use service mode to reset a waste-ink counter associated with internal absorber pads.
If your printer is reporting that the maintenance cartridge is full, replacing the cartridge is the safest and officially supported approach.
How to Replace the Maintenance Cartridge
If the printer reports that the maintenance cartridge is full or needs replacement, prepare a compatible new MC-G01 maintenance cartridge.Step 1: Check the Printer Message
Look at the printer's LCD display and determine whether the message refers to the maintenance cartridge.
Do not confuse a maintenance-cartridge warning with an ink-level warning, print-head error, or another service-code message. Step 2: Prepare a New Maintenance Cartridge
Use a new, compatible maintenance cartridge.
Canon recommends replacing the cartridge when it becomes full because the printer can stop printing to prevent waste ink from leaking.
Step 3: Turn Off the Printer If instructed by the printer's on-screen procedure, turn the printer off before removing the maintenance cartridge.
Allow the printer to complete its shutdown process.
Step 4: Remove the Used Maintenance Cartridge
Open the maintenance-cartridge compartment according to the instructions for your printer.
Carefully remove the used cartridge.
Keep the cartridge level during removal because it contains waste ink.
Step 5: Install the New MC-G01
Insert the new maintenance cartridge into the printer and make sure it is seated correctly.
Do not touch the electrical contacts or areas where waste ink may be present.
Step 6: Close the Maintenance-Cartridge Cover
Close the cover securely and turn the printer back on if it was switched off.
The printer should detect the replacement cartridge and update its maintenance-cartridge status.
Step 7: Check the Printer Status
After startup, check the LCD display or printer status information.
If the new cartridge is recognized correctly, the maintenance warning should disappear and normal printing should become available again.
Can You Reset the Waste Ink Counter Without Replacing the Cartridge?
This is where many online tutorials become confusing.A software or chip reset may change the electronic status reported by the printer, but it does not remove the waste ink physically stored inside the maintenance cartridge.
If the cartridge is actually full, resetting its electronic status without replacing or properly servicing the waste-ink collection system could eventually result in ink leakage.
Therefore, a counter reset should not be considered a substitute for replacing a physically full maintenance cartridge.
What About Service Mode?
Some Canon printers have service-mode procedures that technicians can use to initialize counters or perform maintenance operations.However, service-mode procedures are model-specific. A button sequence that works on an older PIXMA printer may not work on a modern MAXIFY MegaTank printer.
For this reason, you should not use a generic Canon “5B00 absorber reset” procedure on the GX5170, GX6170, or GX7170 unless it has been specifically verified for that exact model and firmware.
Entering an incorrect service-mode procedure can potentially change other printer settings or cause additional problems.
Why Does the Printer Say the Maintenance Cartridge Is Full?
The maintenance cartridge gradually accumulates waste ink as the printer performs automatic maintenance.Canon notes that the printer can automatically perform cleaning depending on its condition, and this cleaning process consumes a small amount of ink.
Over time, the maintenance cartridge therefore approaches its maximum capacity.
When the cartridge is full, Canon's design is to stop printing rather than allow waste ink to overflow.
Reset vs. Replacement: What Should You Do?
The following table provides a simple way to determine the appropriate solution:| Situation | Recommended Action |
| Maintenance cartridge is nearly full | Prepare a replacement |
| Maintenance cartridge is full | Replace the maintenance cartridge |
| Printer does not recognize a new cartridge | Check installation and cartridge compatibility |
| Waste ink is leaking | Stop using the printer and service the waste-ink system |
| Printer displays a different service code | Diagnose the specific error before attempting a reset |
| You want to reset a used cartridge | Consider the physical waste-ink capacity before resetting any chip/counter |
Important Safety Considerations
A maintenance cartridge contains waste ink. Handle it carefully and keep it upright during removal and transportation.Do not open or squeeze the cartridge unnecessarily.
If you discover ink leakage inside the printer, do not continue printing simply because a counter or warning has been reset. The physical waste-ink collection system should be inspected and serviced.
Canon has also issued a 2026 notice concerning a potential ink-leak issue involving certain MC-G01 maintenance cartridges used with selected GX-series printers, including specific serial-number ranges of the GX6170 and GX7170. Owners of affected units should check Canon's official notice and follow its instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset the absorber from the printer's LCD menu?There is no standard LCD menu option documented by Canon as a simple “waste ink absorber reset” for these models. If the maintenance cartridge is full, replacement is the normal solution.
Is MC-G01 the same as a waste ink absorber?
The terminology can be confusing. In these printers, the MC-G01 is a maintenance cartridge that collects waste ink. It performs the waste-ink collection function that users may commonly call the “absorber.”
Can I wash and reuse the maintenance cartridge?
This is not the recommended procedure. The maintenance cartridge is intended to be replaced when full. Washing or modifying the cartridge can affect its ability to safely contain waste ink.
Can I reset the chip on the maintenance cartridge?
Some third-party solutions may exist for resetting maintenance-cartridge chips. However, an electronic reset does not remove the waste ink contained in the cartridge.
If the cartridge is physically full, replacement is the safer option.
Does a factory reset clear the waste-ink counter?
A factory reset and a maintenance-cartridge reset are different procedures. Restoring printer settings to their defaults should not be treated as a method for clearing a full maintenance cartridge.
Why does my GX printer stop printing?
If the maintenance cartridge has reached its capacity, the printer may stop printing to prevent waste ink from leaking. Canon recommends replacing the full cartridge.
Conclusion
The Canon MAXIFY MegaTank GX5170, GX6170, and GX7170 use a replaceable maintenance cartridge for waste-ink collection rather than relying solely on the type of permanent absorber-pad system found in some older Canon printers.For the GX6170, Canon specifies the MC-G01 maintenance cartridge.
Therefore, if your printer displays a maintenance-cartridge-full warning, the recommended solution is to replace the maintenance cartridge rather than simply resetting the waste-ink counter.
A reset may change the electronic status in some circumstances, but it does not remove the waste ink. For reliable and safe operation, the physical waste-ink collection capacity should always be taken into account.
For the latest manuals, firmware, service information, and product notices, check Canon's official support resources for your specific printer model.