Canon PIXMA G4511 - dreaded 5B00 error

[Mikefromherts]

hello good people, I have a Canon Pixma G4511 (4-in-1 scanner/copier/printer (and fax - at least I remember what that is for...)), which is displaying the 5B00 error - waste ink absorbers full.
Which has led to such a learning curve for me !!

The printer is about 3-4 years old, but that's a bit of a guess. I can't remember where I got it from, and unusually I can't find any emails regarding the purchase - normally I save them away somewhere. I really think I would have registered the printer, but according to the Canon website, it appears I didn't...

Your forum here has been most helpful, along with the handy links to the easyfixs blogs, but after following several steps, and attempts to fix it, I've got nowhere.
Firstly, I've not managed to find anything related to my particular model, so it has been hope more than expectation that anything would work.

I cannot get it into Service Mode: the Stop/ON button, Stop x5 (or x6) just doesn't respond, and it just starts normally and then goes into its 5B00 error.
I cannot connect with the Service Tool: I suspect this is just because of the above.. I get Error 006.
(I'm trying ST v4906 , although I've been unable to find a Service Manual that lists the G4511 so I don't know if that is the right tool or not).

So;
if anyone has any direct info on the above, I'd be grateful.

But moving on from that, I'm inclined to just go for a replacement. I haven't had a response from Canon so far, but I'm not expecting the service repair to be cheap.

I found the print quality and performance of the Canon to be really good to begin with. But after about a year/18months, individual inks stopped printing, and I had to keep running cleaning cycles. I'd started running more test pages, random picture prints through the printer every couple of days just to keep the heads clear.
(I have been using genuine Canon inks (which I didn't when I had an Epson cartridge printer previously)).

Is there any concensus of opinion on most reliable printers? I'm now not that bothered about photo printing - I did a bit, but not enough to justify the cost or aggro if the printers just don't last that long. I'm even wondering about the worth of colour and just to go for black if it means the printer lasts longer...
Are Bulk ink printers worth if they have these drawbacks?
Or are there any that do have a reasonable user-maintainable means of repair?

I have found that I use the scanner more than any other feature of the printer, so I would be looking for an all-in-one again.

many thanks in advance..
Mike

 

[PeterBJ]

It might be possible to reset your printer without the use of a service tool. See this thread and this. In case a service tool is needed the version 6222 is claimed to support the Canon G4510 model, which according to druckerchannel.de is identical to the Canon G4511.

The use of a too old version of the service tool (too low version number) will lock access to service mode. But the v4906 might be OK as it is stated in the G4000 service manual that the service tool must be v4904 or later.

According to this post The model G4600 could be reset without a service tool. so I think this also applies to your printer.

 

[PrinceMorissette]

It might be possible to reset your printer without the use of a service tool. See this thread and this. In case a service tool is needed the version 6222 geometry vibes is claimed to support the Canon G4510 model, which according to druckerchannel.de is identical to the Canon G4511.

The use of a too old version of the service tool (too low version number) will lock access to service mode. But the v4906 might be OK as it is stated in the G4000 service manual that the service tool must be v4904 or later.

According to this post The model G4600 could be reset without a service tool. so I think this also applies to your printer.

Thank you so much. Great!

 

[Mikefromherts]

It might be possible to reset your printer without the use of a service tool. See this thread and this. In case a service tool is needed the version 6222 is claimed to support the Canon G4510 model, which according to druckerchannel.de is identical to the Canon G4511.

The use of a too old version of the service tool (too low version number) will lock access to service mode. But the v4906 might be OK as it is stated in the G4000 service manual that the service tool must be v4904 or later.

According to this post The model G4600 could be reset without a service tool. so I think this also applies to your printer.

Thanks ! Will give them a try.

 

[Mikefromherts]

Thank you, that's great !

I was following the instructions I'd seen previously, and from the manual which I've now downloaded, and it says to press and hold Stop while pressing/holding the On, and this just didn't do anything for me. The video you linked in the other post just started with press and hold ON and then press Stop x5. And this worked a treat.

Now reset my ink absorber settings, and printer is functional again !

(Now I'm just back to my original problem that led to this mess - not printing well, needs heads cleaning/flush, etc, which filled up my ink pads. I'll need to now replace the pads so I can start that cycle, but at least I know I can do the service menu).