Canon Printer Error Code E34 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error E34 means the ink absorber inside your Canon printer is almost full. This sponge-like pad collects waste ink from print head cleaning cycles. You need to either reset the counter or replace the absorber to keep printing.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG5720
Canon PIXMA MG5750
Canon PIXMA MG6820
Canon PIXMA TS5020
Canon PIXMA TS8020

Common Causes

The ink absorber pad has collected waste ink from many cleaning cycles over time
Frequent manual or automatic print head cleaning operations have filled the pad faster
The printer has printed a very high volume of pages over its lifetime
Using aftermarket ink cartridges that cause more cleaning cycles than genuine ones
The printer's waste ink counter has reached its limit even if the pad has some capacity left

How to Fix It

Download Canon's Service Tool (also called the Waste Ink Counter Reset Tool) for your printer model.

Search for 'Canon [your model] waste ink reset tool' on a reputable printer support site.
Connect your printer to the computer via USB. Run the Service Tool while the printer is on.

The tool should detect your printer model automatically.
Use the tool to reset the waste ink counter to zero. Confirm the reset when prompted.

This tells the printer the absorber is empty — but the physical pad is still full of ink.
After the reset, print sparingly until you can replace the absorber pad.

Resetting the counter does not empty the physical pad. If it overflows, it can leak ink inside the printer.
For a permanent fix, take the printer to a Canon service center for an absorber pad replacement.

This is the only long-term solution. The counter reset is a temporary workaround.

When to Call a Professional

Replacing the ink absorber pad requires disassembling the printer and is messy. Most users use Canon's service utility to reset the counter instead. For a full pad replacement, a Canon service center charges around $40 to $80.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to reset the waste ink counter myself?

The counter reset is safe to do — it only changes a software number. However, be aware the physical pad is still full of ink. If the pad overflows, you risk ink leaking inside the printer and causing permanent damage.

How long does it take for the absorber pad to fill up again after a reset?

It depends on how often you print and how many cleaning cycles occur. For typical home users, it can take years before the pad fills again. Frequent print head cleanings speed up waste ink accumulation significantly.

Can I replace the absorber pad myself?

Technically yes, but it is very messy — the pad is soaked with ink. You also need to open and partially disassemble the printer. Most people either use a reset tool or take the printer to a service center.