What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J1170DW Use?
Last Updated:The Brother MFC-J1170DW uses LC401 ink cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), with LC401XL high-yield versions available for higher-volume printing. It is a standard four-cartridge inkjet, not one of Brother's INKvestment Tank models, so it does not use the larger LC406-series tank cartridges.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
Brother MFC-J1170DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 86 | About 4¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC401XL (500 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: cartridge-side problems: clogging, messy replacement, printer not registering a full cartridge, hard-to-see front slots; wi-Fi setup took several attempts or connection dropped/went offline after an update |
| Features (12%) | 87 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. Brother USA marks the MFC-J1170DW discontinued and names no successor. The similar models it suggests, such as the MFC-J1410DW (LC501), take different cartridges.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC401XL 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
LC401XL BlackLC401XLBKS · ~500 pages
LC401XL CyanLC401XLCS · ~500 pages
LC401XL MagentaLC401XLMS · ~500 pages
LC401XL 4-pack
LC401XL Black
LC401XL Cyan
LC401XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| LC401BK | Black | ~200 pages |
| LC401C | Cyan | ~200 pages |
| LC401M | Magenta | ~200 pages |
| LC401Y | Yellow | ~200 pages |
| LC401XLBK | Black (HY) | ~500 pages |
| LC401XLC | Cyan (HY) | ~500 pages |
| LC401XLM | Magenta (HY) | ~500 pages |
| LC401XLY | Yellow (HY) | ~500 pages |
Brother lists the LC401 family for only three printers: the MFC-J1170DW, the MFC-J1010DW and the MFC-J1800DW Print & Cut. The MFC-J1170DW is now discontinued, but Brother still sells LC401 cartridges. Brother's own product page for the MFC-J1170DW confirms LC401/LC401XL as the correct cartridges — it is not part of the INKvestment Tank lineup, despite what some third-party sources list.
How to Replace Ink in the Brother MFC-J1170DW
- Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer.
- Press the lever for the empty color and remove the spent cartridge.
- Unbox the new LC401 cartridge and pull off the orange seal.
- Slide the new cartridge into the matching color slot until it locks.
- Close the cover — the printer will prime the ink lines automatically.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Cartridge not detected: Wipe the gold chip and reseat firmly.
- Streaks or banding: Run Maintenance > Print Quality Check > Cleaning.
- Slow priming after install: Allow a minute or two for the lines to refill.
- Low ink warning persists: Compatibles report estimated levels — judge by actual output.
What MFC-J1170DW owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, Brother's support pages and owner reviews, answered in our words.
The ink that came with it ran out quickly. Is that normal?
It is a common complaint in Best Buy reviews. A standard LC401 cartridge is rated for only about 200 pages, so the first set goes fast. LC401XL is rated for about 500 pages per cartridge.
Can it scan or copy both sides of a page automatically?
No. Brother lists automatic two-sided printing (up to letter size) but no two-sided scanning, copying or faxing. The document feeder holds 20 sheets.
What happens to my cartridges if I cancel Brother's Refresh ink subscription?
Brother says subscription cartridges are deactivated when you cancel. You have to replace them with purchased cartridges to keep printing.
Can it print on legal-size paper?
Yes. Brother lists legal (8.5 x 14 inches) as the largest size for both the 150-sheet paper tray and the document feeder.
Can I print from my phone without joining it to my Wi-Fi?
Yes. It supports Wi-Fi Direct, and NFC touch-to-connect for Android 4.4 or later. It also has regular Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB.
MFC-J1170DW quirks worth knowing
- NFC touch-to-connect printing is uncommon on a budget inkjet. Tap a supported Android phone on the printer to connect.
- LC401 is a narrow family. Brother lists only three printers for it, and its newer budget models moved on (the MFC-J1410DW takes LC501), so spare LC401 cartridges won't carry over to a replacement printer.
- The fax uses a 14.4k modem with 200 pages of memory, and it supports PC-Fax from a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
LC401 or LC401XL? Both fit; LC401XL prints roughly 2.5x more pages per cartridge.
Does the MFC-J1170DW use LC406? No — LC406 is for Brother's INKvestment Tank printers. The MFC-J1170DW takes LC401/LC401XL.
Can I use the ink from an MFC-J1010DW in the J1170DW? Yes — both printers use the same LC401 cartridge family.
Will non-Brother LC401XL cartridges work? Brother publishes nothing about blocking non-Brother LC401 cartridges, and we sell remanufactured LC401XL for this printer. The cartridges carry a chip, so if one isn't detected, reseat it firmly.
Why isn't my cartridge recognized? Clean the chip and reseat firmly.
Other printers that use LC401
Brother MFC-J1010DW · Brother MFC-J1800DW
More Brother ink guides: Brother MFC-J1360DW · Brother MFC-J4355DW · Brother MFC-J6555DW · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother MFC-T780DW — CastleScore 90
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-J4335DW — CastleScore 89
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 8, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Brother ink cartridges? Shop Brother ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.