Canon Pixma Printer F11 Error Code Fix

by

What This Error Means

F11 on a Canon Pixma usually means: **waste ink / ink absorber full service error**.
In plain language: the printer thinks the internal ink sponge is full of waste ink, so it locks out printing until that system is serviced and the counter is reset.

Official Fix

Canon treats F11 as a **service-only** condition. Their playbook is basically:
  • Step 1 – Power cycle (just in case):
    • Turn the printer off.
    • Unplug power and USB/network cables.
    • Wait 2–3 minutes.
    • Plug only the power back in and turn it on.
    • If F11 comes straight back, it’s not a glitch. It’s a stored service error.
  • Step 2 – Stop trying to print through it:
    • Don’t keep forcing print jobs.
    • The printer is protecting itself from dumping ink all over the inside.
  • Step 3 – What an authorized shop does:
    • Open the chassis and pull the ink absorber pads (the white/grey sponges under the carriage / purge area).
    • Replace them with new pads or a full waste ink kit.
    • Clean out any pooled ink in the base pan.
    • Run Canon’s service tool to reset the waste ink counter to 0.
    • Test print, reassemble, and send you an invoice.
  • Step 4 – Your options if following the book:
    • If it’s under warranty: call Canon support, quote “F11 error on Pixma”, and book a warranty repair.
    • If out of warranty: call a local printer shop and ask for a “waste ink absorber replacement / reset quote”.
That’s the official route. No menu option. No simple button combo in the user manual. They want a tech to replace pads and reset the counter.

The Technician’s Trick

This is the back-room way people clear F11 when the printer is out of warranty and not worth a full shop bill. Do this at your own risk – it can get messy.

  • 1. Check for real ink mess first
    • Open the main cover.
    • Look in the bottom of the printer, especially under where the print head parks.
    • If you see standing liquid ink or soaked foam everywhere, don’t just reset it. You actually need pads replaced or cleaned.
  • 2. Get to the ink absorber pads (layout varies by model)
    • Unplug the printer.
    • Remove the rear panel and/or top shell screws (usually hidden under stickers or plastic caps).
    • Lift the top gently; watch for ribbon cables.
    • Find the white/grey foam pads under the carriage / cleaning station on the right side.
  • 3. Clean or replace the pads
    • Use tweezers or needle-nose pliers to pull the pads out. Note their order and orientation.
    • Option A – Replace: drop in a new pad kit that matches your Pixma model.
    • Option B – Wash and reuse (budget move):
      • Rinse pads in warm water until water runs mostly clear.
      • Squeeze out excess water (don’t shred them).
      • Let them dry completely – ideally overnight.
    • Reinstall pads in the same spots, fully seated.
    • Wipe any pooled ink from the plastic pan with paper towels and isopropyl alcohol.
  • 4. Reset the waste ink counter via service mode (typical Pixma pattern, but exact combo is model-specific)
    • Printer OFF, power cable plugged in.
    • Press and hold Power.
    • While holding Power, press and hold Stop/Reset (or Resume).
    • Keep holding Power; release Stop/Reset.
    • Press Stop/Reset about 5 times, then release all buttons.
    • Printer should start in a plain “service” or “special” mode (often with a different LED pattern).
    • On a Windows PC connected via USB, techs run a Canon Service Tool and hit:
      • Clear Ink Counter or similar.
      • Reset both Main and Platen ink counters if available.

    No official download is provided by Canon to end users. Tools you find online are unofficial – use at your own risk.

  • 5. Power-cycle and test
    • Turn the printer off, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on normally.
    • If the reset took and the pads aren’t saturated, the F11 error should be gone.
    • Run a nozzle check or test print to confirm.
  • 6. Advanced mod (for heavy users only)
    • Some techs route the waste tube into an external bottle instead of the internal pads.
    • This keeps pads from filling again so fast, but requires drilling the case and careful routing.
    • If that sounds crazy, skip it. Just clean/replace pads and reset.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Printer is under ~5–6 years old, prints clean, F11 is the only issue, and you’re comfortable with basic disassembly or a modest shop fee.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Older Pixma but you use cheap compatible ink, chassis is in decent shape, and you’re okay spending roughly half the cost of a new printer to keep it going.
  • ❌ Replace: Low-end Pixma, already streaking or with print-head issues, cracked plastics, or the repair quote plus new ink is close to a new printer price.

Parts You Might Need

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.