my printer says 'ink absorber full' with an error 5B00, can i fix this or is it dead?

Diagnosis

The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is not "dead," but it has entered a hard-lock state triggered by Error 5B00. This error indicates that the waste ink absorbers—physical sponges located at the bottom of the printer chassis—have reached their calculated limit. When the printer performs head cleanings or power-up cycles, it pumps excess ink into these pads. To prevent ink from overflowing onto your desk, Canon implements a digital counter that tracks every drop of ink discarded. Crucially, the printer does not have a physical sensor to "see" if the pads are wet; it relies entirely on a software tally. Once the counter hits a specific threshold, the firmware triggers the 5B00 error and disables all printing and scanning functions. You can confirm this is the issue if the printer refuses to respond to any buttons on the control panel and the LCD screen explicitly displays "The ink absorber is full. Please contact your Canon service center."

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must perform a logic reset of the waste ink counter and physically address the saturated pads to avoid a leak. You will need a Windows PC and a standard USB-A to USB-B printer cable; this cannot be done over Wi-Fi.

1. Enter Service Mode: Turn the printer off. Hold down the Stop button (the red circle/triangle icon), then press and hold the Power button. While still holding Power, press the Stop button exactly five times, then release both buttons. The screen should go blank or show "Service Mode."
2. Connect Service Tool: Connect your PC to the TR8620a via USB. Launch a compatible Service Tool (SST) software. Ensure you are using a version compatible with the TR series (such as SST v5.600 or newer).
3. Execute the Reset: In the software interface, navigate to the "Main" tab. Look for the "Clear Waste Ink Counter" or "Absorber Counter" section. Click the "Set" button next to "Main Platen." The software will communicate with the printer and reset the internal tally to zero.
4. Exit and Reboot: Once the software confirms "Clear successful," turn the printer off using the physical power button. Wait ten seconds and turn it back on. The 5B00 error should now be gone.
5. Physical Maintenance: To prevent ink leakage, open the bottom panel of the printer. Carefully remove the absorbent pads. Use a vacuum to remove any loose debris and replace the pads with new ones, or wash the existing pads in warm water and let them air dry completely (this can take 48 hours) before reinstalling.

If That Didn't Work

• Try a Different USB Port: Service Tool software is notoriously picky about USB 3.0 (blue) ports. If the software cannot "find" the printer, plug the USB cable into a USB 2.0 port or use a non-powered USB hub to create a more stable connection.
• Disable Antivirus Temporarily: Many security programs flag Service Tool software as a "Trojan" or "Riskware" because it modifies system firmware. Disable Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus for 10 minutes while running the reset tool.
• Verify Service Mode Entry: If the screen doesn't go blank, you likely missed the timing on the Stop button presses. Power down completely, wait 30 seconds, and retry the "Hold Power -> 5x Stop" sequence with a steady rhythm.
• Hardware Reset: If the software fails, try a hard power drain. Unplug the power cord and the USB cable. Hold the power button for 60 seconds to discharge the capacitors. Plug only the power back in and attempt the Service Mode entry again.

Heads Up

• Avoid Over-Cleaning: Frequent "Deep Cleaning" cycles rapidly deplete the waste ink counter. Only use deep cleaning if you have severe banding; otherwise, stick to standard cleaning.
• Ink Leakage Warning: Resetting the software does NOT empty the sponges. If you reset the counter without cleaning or replacing the pads, ink will eventually overflow from the bottom of the machine, potentially ruining your furniture.
• Firmware Updates: Be cautious about updating the printer firmware via the onboard menu while using third-party service tools, as Canon occasionally patches the "backdoor" used to enter Service Mode.
• External Waste Tank: For high-volume users, consider drilling a small hole in the bottom casing and routing the waste ink tube into an external bottle. This removes the need for sponges entirely.