Is resetting the counter without replacing pads safe?

Risky. The pads can overflow, causing ink leaks inside the printer or onto your desk. If you reset, route waste ink to an external container or replace/clean the pads.

How long until the pads fill up?

Typically 2-5 years of normal use. Heavy photo printing or frequent cleaning cycles fill them faster. There is no way to check the current level without a service tool.

Canon PIXMA Error 1700 — Ink Absorber Full, Waste Ink Counter Reset

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Overview

Fix Canon PIXMA error 1700 indicating the ink absorber (waste ink pad) is almost full, requiring a reset or pad replacement to continue printing.

Key Details

Error 1700 means the waste ink absorber pads are nearly full (warning level)
Error 5B00 means the pads are completely full (printer stops entirely)
Waste ink pads absorb excess ink from printhead cleaning and borderless printing
Canon's official resolution is 'contact Canon service center' for pad replacement
Third-party reset tools exist but using them without replacing/emptying the pads can cause ink leaks

Common Causes

Normal accumulation of waste ink over the printer's lifetime
Frequent printhead cleaning cycles consuming extra ink into the waste pads
Heavy borderless photo printing which directs excess ink to the absorber
Error counter reaching the manufacturer-set threshold (not an actual sensor measurement)

Steps

1Press the Stop/Resume button to clear the warning temporarily (1700 only, not 5B00)
2Continue printing until 5B00 appears (printer completely stops)
3For DIY: route waste ink to an external container by adding a tube to the waste ink port
4Reset the waste ink counter using a service tool (varies by model — search 'Canon service tool' for your model)
5Replace or clean the waste ink pads if performing DIY maintenance
6Consider professional service if not comfortable with DIY — Canon service centers replace pads