Canon Printer Error Code E07 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

The E07 error means the ink absorber in your Canon printer is almost full. The ink absorber is a sponge-like pad inside the printer that soaks up waste ink from cleaning cycles. When it gets nearly full, the printer warns you so you can prepare for service.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA TS3500 Series
Canon PIXMA MG2500 Series
Canon PIXMA TR4700 Series
Canon PIXMA G3000 Series
Canon PIXMA MG3600 Series

Common Causes

The ink absorber pad has collected waste ink from many print head cleaning cycles over time
You have run frequent automatic or manual cleaning cycles which generate excess waste ink
The printer has been used for a long time and the absorber is reaching its natural capacity
Borderless printing produces extra waste ink that fills the absorber faster than normal printing
The printer's internal counter has tracked enough waste ink to trigger the warning

How to Fix It

Note that the E07 is a warning, not a complete stop. You can press the Stop/Reset button on the printer to dismiss the warning and continue printing temporarily.

This buys you time but does not fix the underlying problem. The absorber is still filling up.
Reduce how often you run print head cleaning cycles. Only clean the print head when print quality is actually poor.

Each cleaning cycle sends waste ink to the absorber. Fewer cleanings means slower fill-up.
Avoid borderless printing when possible. Standard printing with margins generates less waste ink.

Borderless prints spray ink past the edge of the paper, and that excess goes into the absorber.
Contact Canon support or an authorized service center to schedule an ink absorber replacement before the absorber becomes completely full.

When the absorber is completely full, the printer will stop with an E08 error and refuse to print.
If you are comfortable with DIY repairs, some advanced users replace the absorber pad themselves and reset the internal counter using a Canon service tool.

This voids the warranty and is not recommended by Canon. Proceed at your own risk.

When to Call a Professional

The ink absorber cannot be easily replaced at home on most Canon PIXMA models. Canon recommends contacting an authorized service center to replace the absorber pad. The repair typically costs $40 to $80 including parts and labor. You can continue printing for a while after the E07 warning, but do not ignore it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ink absorber and where is it inside the printer?

The ink absorber is a thick sponge pad located at the bottom of the printer. It soaks up waste ink that the printer generates during head cleaning and borderless printing. Think of it like a sponge under a kitchen sink — it catches the overflow.

Can I still print after seeing the E07 error?

Yes. The E07 is a warning that the absorber is almost full, not completely full. You can press the Stop or Reset button to continue printing. But you should plan to have the absorber replaced soon before it fills completely.

What happens if I ignore the E07 warning?

Eventually the ink absorber will become completely full. When that happens, the printer will show an E08 error and stop printing entirely. It is better to address it while you still have time to schedule service.