Canon Error E08: Ink absorber almost full
Also shows as: Support codes 1700, 1701 (and 1712, 1714 on TS3100 / E3100); alarm lamp flashes 8 times on PIXMA G1010 series
The ink absorber is almost full (support codes 1700 / 1701, or 1712 / 1714 on cartridge models). It is a warning: you can continue for now, but Canon says to contact a service center.
What to try
- Press the printer's Black or Color button to continue printing.
- Contact your nearest Canon service center to request a repair before the absorber is full.
When it needs a technician
Canon says to request a repair. Left alone, it will become a stop error (P07 / 5B00).
Which models show E08
Canon documents this code for models including PIXMA G2010 series, PIXMA TS3100 series, PIXMA E3100 series, PIXMA G3010 series.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Canon Inkjet Manual - "An Error Occurs" (LCD error code table). Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing E08?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician