Canon printers are known for their print quality and reliability, but occasional error codes can interrupt your printing tasks. One such common issue is Canon Printer Error 5B02. If you’re seeing this error, don’t worry—you can fix it at home by following a few simple steps.
In this guide, you’ll learn what Error 5B02 means, why it appears, and how to troubleshoot it step by step without contacting a technician.
Read: How to Fix Canon Printer Error Code 5100 Easily at Home?
What Is Canon Printer Error 5B02?
Canon Error 5B02 indicates that the ink absorber pads inside the printer are almost full. These pads collect wasted ink during cleaning cycles and printing tasks. Once the printer detects that the absorber is saturated, it stops working to prevent ink overflow.
This error commonly appears on:
- Canon PIXMA series
- Canon MG / MX / TS models
Why Does Error 5B02 Occur?
Here are the most common reasons this error appears:
- Ink absorber pads are full
- Printer’s internal ink counter reached its limit
- Excessive print head cleaning cycles
- Heavy usage over time
- Software or firmware glitch
The printer stops responding until the absorber counter is reset or the pads are replaced.
How to Troubleshoot Canon Printer Error 5B02 (Step-by-Step Guide)
Follow these methods one-by-one.
Step 1: Power Reset Your Canon Printer
A quick power reset clears temporary glitches.
How to do it:
- Turn OFF your printer
- Unplug the power cord
- Wait for 60 seconds
- Plug it back in and restart the printer
Check if the error disappears. If not, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Enter Service Mode (Important)
To fix Error 5B02, accessing the Service Mode is necessary. This mode allows you to reset the ink absorber counter.
Here’s how to enter service mode:
- Turn OFF the printer
- Press and hold the Stop/Reset button
- While holding it, press and hold the Power button
- Keep holding the Power button and release the Stop/Reset button
- Press the Stop/Reset button twice
- Release the Power button
Your printer will start in Service Mode (the screen may remain blank—this is normal).
Step 3: Reset the Ink Absorber Counter
Once in service mode:
- Press the Stop/Reset button 4 times
- Press the Power button once
- Wait for the printer to restart
This resets the internal absorber counter to zero.
Now restart the printer normally and check if the error has cleared.
Step 4: Clean or Replace Ink Absorber Pads (Recommended)
Although resetting the counter removes the error, the pads may still contain ink. Cleaning or replacing them ensures long-term performance.
How to access the pads:
- Open the printer’s bottom cover
- Locate the white sponge pads
- Remove them gently using tweezers
- Wash them with warm water until clean
- Let them dry completely
- Reinstall them and close the printer
Do not reinstall them while wet. It may damage the printer.
If the pads are completely worn out, replace them with new ones.
Step 5: Update Firmware and Drivers
Sometimes the printer may show this error due to old or corrupted software.
Fix it by:
- Visiting Canon’s official support website
- Downloading latest firmware and drivers
- Restarting your printer after installation
Step 6: Factory Reset the Printer
If the error persists even after cleaning and resetting:
- Go to Setup
- Select Device Settings
- Choose Reset Settings
- Select Reset All
This clears old settings that may trigger the 5B02 error.
Step 7: Contact Canon Support (If Needed)
If the printer still shows Error 5B02, the absorber sensors or logic board may be faulty. At this stage, professional repair may be required.
Conclusion
Canon Printer Error 5B02 usually appears when the ink absorber pads are full or the printer’s internal counter reaches its limit. Fortunately, you can fix this problem at home by following simple troubleshooting steps. With these steps, your printer should start working normally again without the 5B02 error.
