What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J1170DW Use?
Last Updated:The Brother MFC-J1170DW INKvestmentTank uses LC406 ink cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), with LC406XL high-yield available for higher volumes. The internal ink tank reservoir delivers up to a year of ink per set.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| LC406BK | Black | ~1,500 pages |
| LC406C | Cyan | ~1,500 pages |
| LC406M | Magenta | ~1,500 pages |
| LC406Y | Yellow | ~1,500 pages |
| LC406XLBK | Black (HY) | ~6,000 pages |
The LC406 family fits the Brother MFC-J1170DW, MFC-J1010DW, MFC-J1012DW and other INKvestmentTank models.
Save on LC406 Ink
Compatible LC406 cartridges work in the MFC-J1170DW at a fraction of OEM pricing. Shop LC406 cartridges at Castle Ink.
How to Replace Ink in the Brother MFC-J1170DW
- Open the ink tank cover on the front of the printer.
- Press the lever for the empty color and remove the spent cartridge.
- Unbox the new LC406 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 internal ink tank.
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 several minutes for the tank to refill.
Low ink warning persists: Compatibles report estimated levels — judge by output.
Official Brother Resources
Brother MFC-J1170DW product page · Brother support
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J1170DW INKvestmentTank uses LC406 (or LC406XL high-yield) cartridges. LC406XL is the best value for heavy users — shop LC406 at Castle Ink.
Frequently Asked Questions
LC406 or LC406XL? Both fit; LC406XL prints about 4x more pages.
Pages per set? Up to a year of typical use per LC406XL set.
Can I use LC404 in the J1170DW? No — only LC406 is designed for this printer.
Will compatible LC406 cartridges work? Yes — quality compatibles fit the MFC-J1170DW.
Why isn't my cartridge recognized? Clean the chip and reseat firmly.
— William Elward