My Canon MP180 printer/scanner/copier is notifying me that the ink absorber is almost full. What is an ink absorber and what should I do to replace it? I live in Ireland. Err 5B00

This mayclear the ink absorber problem.There is ink absorbers located at both ends of the printerwhere the ink head move.
To dry the ink absorber, power up the printer and open the cover so the inkcartridges and print head will move to the middle of the printer.
Then take several sheets of absorbent tissue, fold it into a pad and place itinside the printer over the ink absorber on the far left hand side of theprinter to soak up the excess ink. You may need to change the absorbent tissuea few times. Then repeat the same procedure on the right hand ink absorber.
Close the lid and the printer should now function normally.

You will have to give the machine to a canon agent as the main ink absorber if full. the machine has to be taken apart for new absorbers to be fitted. It a very messy job and will take a canon trained engineer about an hour to disassemble it. Also the platen ink absorber should be changed too. then finally the software ink absorbers counters will need resetting.

r u sure that is e6?

There are bunch of error code for canon.

Pls check below and re-list your exact error code and can help you.

Error Code :
E2-2 = No paper (ASF)
E3-3 = Paper jam
E4 = No ink
E5-5 = The ink cartridges are not installed or a non-supported ink cartridge is installed, or the ink cartridges are not installed properly
E8 = Waste ink absorber full, or platen waste ink absorber full
E9 = The connected digital camera / video camera does not support Camera Direct Printing
E14 = The Ink cartridges whose destination are wrong
E15 = Ink cartridge is not installed E16 ? Ink remaining is unknown
E16 -E19 = Failed to scan head alignment sheet
E22 = Carriage error
E23 = Paper feed error
E24 = Purge unit error
E25 = ASF(cam) sensor error
E26 = Internal temperature rise error
E27 = Waste ink absorber full or platen waste ink absorber full
E28 = Ink cartridge temperature rise error -
E29 = EEPROM error
E33 = Paper feed position error
E35 15 = USB Host VBUD overcurrent error ? USB
E37 17 = Abnormal motor driver error
E40 20 = Other hardware error
E42 22 = Scanner error1

Access eBay: http://www.ebay.com

Search for 'Canon Pixma Ink Absorber', and you'll find several online sellers -- some with _huge_ shipping-charges ($35 !!!).

Or, find the nearest Canon office, and have them order one for you.
They will pay the shipping, if you pick it up from their office.

There is no repair for this model, you can't get the ink absorber and if you could there is no reset. This model was exchanged during warranty and after that you toss it and buy a new one. Canon has no parts or service for this model.

Hi
The canon mp180 and the mp170 look the same to me so I got the how for a mp170 it might work for yours gave it a go nothing to loss.

Canon MP170 (Ink Tank Full Error):

1 - power off.
2 - hold stop/reset ,hold ON/OFF
3 - release stop/reset, push stop/reset twice, quickly, then release ON/OFF
4 - wait untill LCD display shows "Canon Idle",then push stop/reset four times, quickly
5 - then push power twice, quickly
6 - power off and power on.
All best: Pineworks

Follow this:
1. Turn off printer
2. Hold down Resume button and press Power button.
3. Keep holding down Power button and let Resume button go.
4. Press Resume button 2 times then let BOTH buttons go.
5. Green lights will flash and then stop blinking.
6. When green lights are solid, press the Resume button 4 times.
7. Press the Power button and the printer should turn off, if not, press the Power button once more.
8. Your printer should respond as normal.

You need a new pad and you need to reset your code.
Codes are dependent on your model.

You can get more info here:
http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/inkjet/32258

Refer to this website and follow the troubleshooting steps

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=SiteSearchResultsAct&functionid=3&fcategoryid=&modelid=&keycode=&startIndex=1&endIndex=15&pageRows=15&categoryType=CATEGORY1&businessType=BUSINESSUNIT&catLevel=1&cuCatLevel=1&cuGuideLevel=1&wtSend=true&srchKey=PIXMA+MP180&searchOptions=Consumer&Submit.x=42&Submit.y=9

I've taken this from my manual.
This error message indicates that the ink absorber is nearly full.
The machine has a built-in ink absorber to hold the ink used
during FINE Cartridge cleaning, for example.
You can continue printing by selecting Continue*1
on the display on your camera.
However, because printing is disabled once
the ink absorber becomes completely full
and until the ink absorber is replaced, you
are recommended to contact a Canon
service representative as early as possible.
*1 To resume printing, you can press
[OK] (MP180) / [Black] or [Color] (MP160) on
the machine instead of selecting [Continue].