Waste ink absorber is full

When the printer is not being used, the print-heads slide to their "resting" position,
in order to keep the ink-jets moist, i.e., to NOT dry-out.

Some ink is absorbed into that INK-ABSORBER.

Now, after a few years of usage, that ink-absorber is "full".

Like taking-out the garbage from your kitchen waste-basket when it gets full, and replacing the full waste-basket with an empty waste-basket, it's time to get your printer serviced -- replace the "full" ink-absorber with an "empty" ink-absorber.

Note that CANON printers do not actually "measure" the fullness -- they electronically estimate the fullness, given information about how much you print, and how often you print, and the "density" of the pages that you do print (text is much less dense than colour-photos).

the waste ink absorber cannot be replaced mate. you have to buy new printer.the waste ink absorber is the sponge part where head cleans all its ink. its a common problem in cannon.

Inkjet printer has waste ink absorber inside, sponge alike. The function of waste ink absorber is to localize and keep waste ink safe inside the printer and does not harm the electrical parts.
Waste ink is produced from print head cleaning process and borderless printing. When capacity of the ink absorber raise to about 90% then warning message appears.
You need to bring your printer to the nearest service center to get waste ink absorber replaced.

Source:
Printer Clinic: Printer Tips,tricks,troubleshooting
E-manualshop: Online source of service manual

Issue: Alarm / Power light flashes orange 8 times consecutively (Waste Ink Nearly Full Error)
Solution: Press the <RESUME/CANCEL> button to clear the error (1700)
Waste ink absorber error 1700
The printer has a built-in waste ink absorber to hold the ink used during print head cleaning. Eight flashes indicates that this absorber is nearly full.

Press the <RESUME/CANCEL> button on the printer to clear the error, so you can continue the print job. The printer will need to be serviced as soon as possible.

Issue: Alarm / Power light flashes orange 8 times consecutively (Waste Ink Nearly Full Error)
Solution: Press the <RESUME/CANCEL> button to clear the error (1700)
Waste ink absorber error 1700
The printer has a built-in waste ink absorber to hold the ink used during print head cleaning. Eight flashes indicates that this absorber is nearly full.

Press the <RESUME/CANCEL> button on the printer to clear the error, so you can continue the print job. The printer will need to be serviced as soon as possible.

There is an absorbent sponge in the bottom of your waste ink container to help contain the waste ink your printer generates when it cleans the print head nozzles. That sponge is probably full and has triggered a "most informative" error message!

Check your user's manual about the procedure for changing the absorber and where to buy new ones.

Hi ...

This printer has an ink absorber that takes in ink during the printing and print head cleaning processes. The cleaning process is necessary in order to keep the print head nozzles from becoming clogged. Over the life of the printer, the amount of ink that the ink absorber has absorbed is calculated by the printer. Eventually, after substantial use, the printer will enter an error condition when the ink absorber is nearly full. At this point, printing is still possible by pressing the <Resume> button on the printer. To protect the printer from damage, you will not be able to print at all once the ink absorber is full.
Canon recommends having the printer serviced before the absorber becomes full. We are aware that there are many "do-it-yourself" Web sites that offer instructions for making this repair. Replacing the ink absorber is a complicated and potentially messy procedure. Even if the ink absorber is successfully changed, the ink absorber counter must be reset. Be aware that if you attempt this procedure, it is at your own risk.

Please vote if this helps ... Cheers :)

Waste absorber is full. Where is the waste ink absorber and how do I empty it?

http://www.cyber-ink.com/member-canon.html

I haven't a solution but I cannot find an answer for this problem despite wading through loads of stuff about resetting the counter, which does not solve the problem. Has anyone got a real answer to it please? For Canon- why is this not mentioned anywhere? - the problem- waste ink absorber full. I will soon start taking it apart to find it.

try to remove the front cover of the printer is 2 screews or 3 and a few clips and whit a clean cloth absorb the waste ink from the waste tank, and this is o quik fix that i use.