Printer won't print

Clean it out, its a pad underneath the print head, you've not said which model printer you have so I suggest you go to the manufacturers web site, follow links for support and see if there's a FAQ frequently asked questions page with your issue mentioned.

Hi and welcome to FixYa!
If the waste ink pad is nearly full you will need to have it replaced or reset the purge counter to get rid of the message. Please be informed that even the message is resetted theres a tendency that the inkpad will overflow and you may find spill at the bottom of the printer.

Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa!

It is "waste" (as in "toxic waste"), not "waist" (as in "belt-and-suspenders").

Turn the printer off.
The print-heads will move to their "rest" position,
immediately above the "waste-overflow" container.

You will have to "empty" this container *AND* "reset" the printer that it has been emptied -- the "emptiness/fullness" has been calculated and estimated by the computer inside the printer, rather than by actual measurements (the gas-gauge on your car's dashboard is an example of actual measurement).

Take your printer to a qualified technician, and get him/her to service your printer.

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.

Nov 18, 2009 - Thanks! This solution got the printer working again: Thanks, cene765. Best Solutionposted on Oct 28, 2009 cene765 Rank: Guru Expert Rating: 89%, 343 votes Unplug the printer from power cord.Press and hold the "menu" button, then plug the device.You'll see on the LCD screen a "machine error" code.If this code is 40,41 or 4F the print head is defective.If the error is 50 or 51 there is error in Purge unit and printer require service.If the error is 46 the waste ink tank is full.Follow this: Enter 80, then scroll down with the arrow down (round) key. You'll find an entry listed as purge count. If number is over 6000, enter 2 7 8 3.This will reset the purge count value. Then restart the printer, hopefully without the annoying cannot clean message

Error messages displayed on the LCD and how to handle them
When an error has occurred in the printer, the error / check message is displayed on the LCD.
Take the appropriate action to return to the normal condition.
Error / Check message How to correct CHECK INK
U041 An ink cartridge is empty.
To cancel printing, press the Stop/Reset button.
To continue printing, press the OK button.
After the printing finishes, replace the empty ink cartridge.
Printing with an empty ink cartridge may cause printer malfunction. U051 / U052
U053 / U059 The ink cartridge may not be set properly, or an ink cartridge not supported by the printer is installed.
Install the proper ink cartridge.

Make sure to install both the ink cartridges even when you set the printer to use only one ink cartridge (Color or Photo) in printing.
If one of the ink cartridges is missing, this error will occur. U075 / U076 The ink cartridges are not installed in the proper position.
Install each ink cartridge in the proper position. U140 An ink cartridge not supported by the printer is installed.
Install the proper ink cartridge. U161 / U162 A used ink cartridge may be installed, or the ink cartridge may be empty.
Replace the ink cartridge.

By pressing the OK button, printing can be done without replacing the ink cartridge. However, the remaining ink amount cannot be detected properly, so the function to detect the remaining ink amount does not operate. READ/WRITE MODE Since the memory card is currently write-enabled, printing is not possible.
Set READ-ONLY MODE ON. NO PHOTOS ON CARD Some images in the memory card may not be in a supported format. images listed below cannot be printed directly from a memory card. Print them from a computer.

- images edited on the computer
- images in a format other than JPEG or TIFF
- images with double-byte characters used in the file name
- images saved in a folder nested 4 or more layers deep INCOMPATIBLE CAMERA The printer cannot communicate with the connected camera.
Disconnect the cable between the printer and the camera to clear the error.
Confirm the following items and print again.

1. Confirm that the camera you are using supports PictBridge or Canon Bubble Jet Direct.
If the camera does not support either one, the printer cannot print directly from the camera.
2. Set the camera in PictBridge print mode before it is connected to the machine. This is required before printing for some cameras that support PictBridge.
Please refer to the camera instructions for more information about procedures required before and after connection to the printer.
3. There may have been no response from the camera for the prescribed time.
Re-connect the cable between the camera and the printer. WASTE INK NEAR FULL The waste ink absorber is getting full.
Press the OK button to clear the error.
Printing can be done until the waste ink absorber becomes full. If the waste ink absorber becomes full, please contact your local Service Center for replacement of the absorber and printer maintenance.

The waste ink absorber is a part inside the printer, which absorbs ink used in the cleaning operations, etc. CHECK PRINTER Turn the printer off, and remove the power plug from the outlet.
About ten minutes later, plug it in again, and turn the printer on.
If the problem is not resolved, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center. HEAD ALIGNMENT ERROR Automatic print head alignment failed.
Press the OK button to release the error.
Check the followings and do automatic print head alignment again.

- Check if A4/Letter-sized paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Check if the paper output slot is not exposed to a strong light source
- Print the nozzle check pattern to check the status of the print head.

If the problem continues, do manual print head alignment. LOAD PAPER If paper is not set, set paper and press the OK button. When paper is set, check each item and do printing again.

1. Confirm that unusable paper is not set.
2. Confirm that paper is set properly.
3. Confirm that recommended paper is used, and the number of sheets set in the auto sheet feeder is within the limit.
4. Cleaning the paper feed roller may resolve the error.

If the problem persists, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center. PAPER JAMMED Remove the jammed paper.
If paper jam frequently occurs, check the following:

1. Confirm that no foreign material is inside the printer.
2. Confirm that unusable paper is not set.
3. Confirm that paper is set properly.
4. Confirm that recommended paper is used, and the number of sheets set in the auto sheet feeder is within the limit.

If the problem persists, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center.

An error has occurred in the printer. The number of flashes indicates the type of error, as outlined below. Check the cause and take the appropriate action.
Two flashes: Out of paper or paper feed error
Replace the paper correctly and press the RESUME/CANCEL button.
Three flashes: Paper jam
If paper has jammed in the printer, clear the jam, replace the paper in the printer correctly and press the RESUME/CANCEL button.
See Paper Jams
Four flashes: Empty ink tank
If you press the RESUME/CANCEL button, it will continue printing with an empty ink tank. However, when printing is finished, replace the ink tank immediately. If you continue printing with an empty ink tank, it will be a cause of trouble.
See Replacing an Ink Tank
Six flashes: No print head installed
Install a print head.
Seven flashes: Defective print head
Contact a Canon service representative.
Eight flashes: Waste ink tank almost full
The printer has a built-in waste ink tank for the ink used during print head cleaning. Eight flashes indicates that the waste ink tank is nearly full. Press the RESUME/CANCEL button to cancel the error so you can continue printing. Before the waste ink tank becomes completely full, contact a Canon service representative.
Note
Canon recommends to call for service as soon as this error occurs. Once the waste ink tank becomes completely full, printing will no longer be possible.
POWER lamp flashes alternate green and orange:
An error that requires contacting a Canon service representative may have occurred.
Turn the printer off and unplug the printer from the power supply. Plug the printer back in and turn the printer back on.
If the problem remains, contact a Canon service representative.

I think you may have answered your own question.
Here is a list of error codes for your printer, as you can see the code E5, means the cartridge is not installed properly or un-supported.
I would remove cartridge, check slot for debris, clean contacts on cartridge, re-seat cartridge and then try again. If all fails then try a new cartridge, as the other one could be faulty.
If you still have no joy, you probably have a faulty print head unit.

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 error

First make sure there isn't any thing keeping the carriage from moving freely, the reset as follows:

How to clear Error Code Canon printers MP150 MP160
CANNON Printers MP150/MP160 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 error

1) With the printer powered off but connected to a power source, press the Power button while pressing and holding
the Stop/ Reset button.
2) When the Power LED is lit, press the Stop/Reset button two times while pressing and holding the Power button.
3) When releasing the Power button and the Stop / Reset button (regardless of order), the printer will move into a
service mode. (Waiting for menu selection)
4) When the LED lights in green, press the Stop/Reset button the specified number of time(s) according to the
function listed in the table below.(Each time the Stop/Reset button is pressed, the LED lights alternately in
orange and green, starting with orange.)
The number of the Reset
button pressing
LED Function Remarks

0 time Green Power off
1 time Orange Service pattern print
2 times Green EEPROM print
3 times Orange EEPROM reset
4 times Green Waste ink counter reset See waste ink counter reset
procedures below.
5 times Orange Destination setting See Destination setting
procedures below.
6 times Green Print head deep cleaning
11 times Orange Button / LCD checking
12 or more times Returns to a menu selection

If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it.
Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

Manual Reset procedure Waste Ink Tank for Canon MP390:

1. Start with printer on, press additional functions, Scan, Copy, Scan. Now you should be in service mode.
2. Select Test mode (must be the last available selection).
3. Select #8 Printer Test, it will start cleaning then it will come up with some other option: push the + or - button until it says 8-3 then hit the select button
4. The menu will now say EEPROM Clear
5. Select Ink count which is option (0) and press set
6. Press Stop/Reset Followed by the power button and then wait for it to restart.

hope it helps
cheers