INK ABSORBER IS ALMOST FULL. HOW DO I CLEAN OR REPLACE IT

Your waste ink absorber is FULL. So you need to replace your waste ink absorber to the new one.
This problem can not be solved by the user. You must take or send it to a service centre, where a technician will remove the old ink absorber, clean up any internal ink mess and enter a reset code to clear the "ink absorber full" condition.

Hope you find this information helpful. The printer has a built-in ink absorber to hold the ink used during Print Head Cleaning, for example. Eight flashes indicates that the ink absorber is nearly full. Press the RESUME/CANCEL button to cancel the error so you can continue printing.Before the ink absorber becomes completely full, contact a Canon service representative. (You will need to replace a particular part of the printer.) Canon recommends that you call for service as soon as this error occurs. Once the ink absorber becomes completely full, printing cannot be performed until the ink absorber is replaced

You can't. Here is what Canon says on their website:

Ink Absorber Replacement Options 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.
If you feel your product might require service, Canon has excellent service options and we are eager to provide any assistance you may need. Click the link below to locate an authorized service facility and obtain further instructions.

From the Canon website:

Issue: Alarm / Power light flashes orange 8 times consecutively (Waste Ink Nearly Full Error)
Solution: Ink Absorber Replacement Options i550

Ink Absorber Replacement Options

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.




For the Waste Tank Reset Code, and how to repair or replace the Waste Tank, see this website:
http://www.bioscomputers.ca/CanonWasteTankCodes.htm

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 :)

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.

Do vote if this helps ... Cheers :)

Normally when you get the "ink absorber is full" message, you would take machine to a Canon service center. They will either clean the ink absorbers or more than likely they will replace the ink absorbers. After replacement, the ink absorber full message will have to be reset which is done in the service mode.

Inkworks
866-381-0541

No repair is available. There is a little tray under where the cartridges rest and when the printer does a cleaning cycle, it squirts some ink into it. Eventually, the ink builds up and when the tray is full, it's time to change printers. Here is what Canon says:

Ink Absorber Replacement Options 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.

Try this link on how to reset the ink counter: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=ModelFeaturesTabAct&fcategoryid=257&modelid=10237#SupportDetailAct

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.

Do vote if this helps ... Cheers :)