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.
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 |
The LC401 family fits the Brother MFC-J1170DW as well as the MFC-J1010DW, MFC-J1012DW, MFC-J1205DW and MFC-J1800DW. 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.
Save on LC401 Ink
Compatible LC401XL cartridges work in the MFC-J1170DW at a fraction of OEM pricing. Shop LC401 cartridges at Castle Ink.
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.
Official Brother Resources
Brother MFC-J1170DW product page · Brother support
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J1170DW uses LC401 (or LC401XL high-yield) cartridges — the same ink family as the discontinued MFC-J1010DW. LC401XL is the best value for regular users. Shop LC401 at Castle Ink.
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 compatible LC401XL cartridges work? Yes — quality compatibles fit the MFC-J1170DW.
Why isn't my cartridge recognized? Clean the chip and reseat firmly.
— William Elward
Shop Compatible Ink at Castle Ink
Save against OEM pricing on replacement cartridges for the Brother MFC-J1170DW. Backed by Castle Ink's compatibility guarantee. Brother compatible ink at Castle Ink.
Buy the Brother MFC-J1170DW on Amazon: Brother MFC-J1170DW on Amazon
See also: Best printers that don't lock you into OEM ink | Printer Ink Cost Calculator
An independent 0–100 score for every printer, refreshed monthly from thousands of owner reviews and expert tests — plus what the ink or toner actually costs to run. See this month's Top 10 inkjet and laser rankings, or use the PrinterIQ™ finder.
See the CastleScore rankings →