What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J1010DW Use?

Quick answer: The Brother MFC-J1010DW uses Brother LC401XL high-yield or LC401 standard-yield ink cartridges in four colors: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

Brother MFC-J1010DW Ink Cartridges at a Glance

• LC401BK — ~200 pages
• LC401C / LC401M / LC401Y — ~200 pages each
• LC401XLBK  (high-yield) — ~500 pages
• LC401XLC / LC401XLM / LC401XLY (high-yield) — ~500 pages each

The MFC-J1010DW uses four individual ink tanks, so you only replace the color that runs out. The LC401XL high-yield cartridges deliver roughly 2.5x the pages of the standard LC401 and are almost always the better value.

Save on Brother LC401 Ink with Compatible Cartridges

Brother's genuine LC401XL 4-packs can cost well over $50. Castle Ink's lineup of compatible Brother ink cartridges can cut that cost dramatically while matching OEM print quality, and every order ships same-day from the U.S. with a full satisfaction guarantee.

How to Replace Ink in the Brother MFC-J1010DW

1. Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer.
2. Press the purple lock-release lever above the empty cartridge and lift the cartridge out.
3. Unwrap the new cartridge and remove the orange protective cap — do not shake it.
4. Insert the cartridge into the correct color-coded slot following the arrow on the label.
5. Push until it clicks into place, then close the ink cover.
6. The printer will automatically prime the ink lines.

Troubleshooting Tips

• "Cannot detect" error: Remove and reinsert the cartridge, making sure the lock lever snaps down.
• Faded output: Run the Print Quality Check from the printer's Maintenance menu, then a Head Cleaning if needed.
• Low-ink warning on new ink: Normal for aftermarket cartridges — the printer will reset on its own after a few prints.

Official Brother MFC-J1010DW Resources

For drivers, firmware, and the user guide, see the Brother MFC-J1010DW support page.

Still Using the MFC-J1010DW?

Brother has discontinued the MFC-J1010DW. If you're shopping for a current replacement, the Brother MFC-J1170DW is the closest still-available sibling. Check its specific ink cartridge before buying supplies, since it may not match the J1010DW exactly.

Bottom Line

The Brother MFC-J1010DW takes LC401 or LC401XL cartridges in black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Go with the LC401XL high-yield version when possible, and shop Castle Ink's compatible Brother cartridges to save against Brother retail pricing.

Looking to replace this printer? See our full Brother MFC-J1010DW review for what to buy instead.