Canon Pixma Printer F06 Fix: Waste-Ink / Service Error Guide

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What This Error Means

F06 on a Canon Pixma printer usually means a waste-ink / purge-unit service error.

Translation: the printer thinks the internal ink absorber system is full or jammed, so it hard-locks and refuses to print to avoid flooding itself with ink.

Official Fix

Canon treats F06 as a “service required” fault. They only expect you to do basic checks, then call them.

  • Kill the power. Press the power button to shut it down. Unplug the power cord from the wall for at least 2–3 minutes.
  • Unplug everything else. Disconnect USB/network cables. You want the printer totally isolated.
  • Check for obvious jams. Open the top cover and any rear feed covers. Pull out any paper scraps or labels stuck around the paper path or in the rear feed.
  • Look at the carriage area. With power off, gently slide the print-head carriage if it’s free. Check the far right “parking” area for wads of paper, torn labels, or built-up gunk stopping the carriage or purge unit from moving.
  • Close it up and restart. Close all covers. Plug power back in. Turn it on and see if F06 cleared.
  • Try a second power cycle. If it still shows F06, power it off, unplug again for a few minutes, then power up once more just to rule out a fluke.

If F06 is still there, Canon’s official answer is: have the printer serviced by an authorized center or replace the unit. They do not document deeper repairs or counter resets for end users.

The Technician’s Trick

Here’s what a real bench tech does when a Pixma throws F06 and warranty is long gone. This is inside stuff. Messy, but it often rescues the machine.

  1. Unplug and protect your workspace.
    Pull the power cord. Move the printer to a surface you don’t mind getting ink on. Lay down cardboard or trash bags and have gloves and paper towels ready.
  2. Expose the waste-ink area.
    Open the top cover. When the carriage unlocks (on some models you may need to power on then unplug mid-move), slide it to the center by hand. Look all the way to the far right where the carriage normally parks. That corner hides the purge unit and the sponge pads that soak waste ink.
  3. Blot the soaked pads.
    Use folded paper towels or lint-free pads to press down onto the ink sponges. Do not drag them around; just press and lift to pull out as much ink as you can. Repeat with fresh towels until they stop bleeding like crazy. This doesn’t replace the pads, but it buys room so they’re not overflowing.
  4. Clear any gunk in the purge unit.
    Right beside those pads is a little plastic assembly with rubber caps and a small pump. If it’s crusted with dried ink or wrapped in paper fibers, carefully clean it with damp (water or a bit of isopropyl alcohol) swabs. Don’t yank on hoses or springs.
  5. Reassemble and dry.
    Make sure no tools or towels are left inside. Close all covers. Let it sit 15–20 minutes so any alcohol or water evaporates.
  6. Reset the waste-ink counter (service mode).
    This is the part Canon doesn’t tell you about. F06 often won’t clear until the internal “waste ink” counter is reset.
    • The exact key combo for Service Mode depends on your Pixma model. Typical pattern is: printer off → hold Stop/Reset & Power together → tap Stop/Reset a set number of times → release Power. You must look up the exact sequence for your model.
    • Once in service mode, a PC tool (often called a Canon Service Tool or Service Utility) is used to run a “Main” / “Ink Absorber” / “Clear Waste Ink” reset. Techs use this to tell the printer the pads are new.
    • Only use a service tool version that explicitly matches your model. Wrong tool or bad files can brick the printer. If you’re not comfortable with that risk, stop at the cleaning step.
  7. Test print.
    Power the printer normally. If F06 is gone, run a nozzle check and a simple print job. Watch for leaks underneath over the next few days; if ink pools under the machine, the pads are truly done and need proper replacement or a maintenance box swap.

If the error comes straight back even after a clean and counter reset, assume the purge unit motor, sensor, or main board is failing. At that point, throwing parts at it only makes sense on higher-end Pixma models.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: The printer is mid-range or better, under ~5–6 years old, otherwise prints clean, and you’re okay doing some dirty work or paying a modest bench fee.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: You already have print-quality issues, you’d need a shop to do both pad replacement and a purge unit, and the quote is creeping toward half the cost of a solid new printer.
  • ❌ Replace: It’s a cheap entry-level Pixma, older than ~6–7 years, showing multiple errors, or any repair quote lands near the price of a brand‑new machine with fresh warranty and tanks.

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