What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J480DW Use?
Last Updated:The Brother MFC-J480DW uses LC203 high-yield ink cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow). The standard-yield LC201 cartridges also work. LC203 doubles your page yield and is the better long-term value.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| LC203BK | Black | ~550 pages |
| LC203C | Cyan | ~550 pages |
| LC203M | Magenta | ~550 pages |
| LC203Y | Yellow | ~550 pages |
| LC201BK | Black (Std) | ~260 pages |
The LC203/LC201 family fits the Brother MFC-J460DW, MFC-J480DW, MFC-J485DW, MFC-J680DW, MFC-J880DW, MFC-J885DW and DCP-J152W.
Save on LC203 Ink
Compatible LC203 cartridges work in the MFC-J480DW and cost far less than OEM. Shop LC203 cartridges at Castle Ink to save.
How to Replace Ink in the Brother MFC-J480DW
- Open the front ink cartridge cover on the printer.
- Press the release lever for the empty cartridge and remove it.
- Unbox the new LC203 cartridge and pull off the orange seal.
- Insert the cartridge in the matching color slot until it clicks.
- Close the cover — the printer will run a brief priming cycle.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not detected: Wipe the gold chip with a dry cloth and reseat.
Faded prints: Run Maintenance > Print Quality > Cleaning.
Color missing: Confirm the orange seal was removed.
Low ink warning is off: Compatibles report estimated levels — judge by output.
Official Brother Resources
Brother MFC-J480DW product page · Brother support
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J480DW uses LC203 high-yield ink (or LC201 standard). Pick LC203 for best value and shop LC203 at Castle Ink.
Frequently Asked Questions
LC203 or LC201? Both fit; LC203 prints about twice as many pages.
Pages per cartridge? About 550 pages per LC203 color.
Can I mix LC201 and LC203? Yes — any combination works.
Will compatible LC203 cartridges work? Yes — quality compatibles fit the MFC-J480DW.
Why won't my cartridge be recognized? Clean the chip and reseat firmly.
— William Elward