What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J497DW Use?
Last Updated:CastleScore · October 2026
82/100 — Highly Recommended
Brother MFC-J497DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 84 | 4.30★ average across 1,703 ratings at Amazon (4.3) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 80 | PCMag 4.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 82 | About 5.2¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC3013 high-yield cartridges (about 400 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 86 | Most-reported problems: paper jams and ADF document jams; 'Ink Absorber NearFull/Full' service errors that require a Brother service center |
| Features (12%) | 78 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi. No touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 83 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. Brother USA lists the MFC-J497DW as discontinued and names no replacement. LC3011 and LC3013 cartridges are still sold.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC3013 BlackLC3013BK · ~400 pages
LC3013 CyanLC3013C · ~400 pages
LC3013 MagentaLC3013M · ~400 pages
LC3013 YellowLC3013Y · ~400 pages
LC3013 Black
LC3013 Cyan
LC3013 Magenta
LC3013 YellowOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Brother MFC-J497DW use?
The Brother MFC-J497DW uses 4 Brother LC3011/LC3013 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard LC3011 and higher-yield LC3013 cartridges fit the same slots. LC3013 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC3011. Each color is a separate cartridge, so you only replace the one that runs out.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part numbers | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Brother LC3011 (standard yield) | LC3011BK / LC3011C / LC3011M / LC3011Y | ~200 pages each |
| Brother LC3013 (high yield) | LC3013BK / LC3013C / LC3013M / LC3013Y | ~400 pages each |
*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.
Common questions about Brother MFC-J497DW ink
Should I buy LC3011 or LC3013 for the MFC-J497DW?
LC3013 for most people. LC3013 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC3011. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of LC3011 and LC3013 works.
What other printers use Brother LC3013 ink?
LC3011/LC3013 also fits the MFC-J491DW, MFC-J690DW, and MFC-J895DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Brother cartridges fit the MFC-J497DW?
No. Brother LC3017/LC3019 (MFC-J5330DW, MFC-J6930DW) and LC3033/LC3035 (MFC-J995DW) look similar but won't fit. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Are remanufactured LC3013 cartridges safe for the MFC-J497DW?
Brother doesn't lock them out. Its manual says a non-Brother cartridge may show "Cannot Detect" or not report its ink level, and that repairs caused by non-Brother supplies may not be covered. Using them doesn't by itself void your warranty under U.S. law. We sell remanufactured LC3013 high-yield cartridges. If the printer shows “Cannot Detect” with a new cartridge, reseat it and check that the orange cap is removed. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink, Does compatible ink void your printer warranty? and The best compatible ink for Brother printers.
How do I replace the ink in the MFC-J497DW?
Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer. Push the lock-release lever for the empty color and pull the cartridge out. Unpack the new cartridge, remove the orange protective cap, and push it in until it locks. Close the cover; the printer resets that color's ink counter automatically.
Why does the MFC-J497DW say “Cannot Detect” or “Cannot Print”?
Remove the cartridge and reinstall it slowly and firmly until it locks (Brother says inserting it too quickly can cause this), make sure the orange protective cap is off, and wipe the cartridge's contacts with a dry lint-free cloth. Turn the printer off for a minute. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my MFC-J497DW faded or streaky?
From the control panel, run Ink (or Maintenance) > Improve Print Quality > Check Print Quality, then clean the colors that show gaps. If lines look jagged or doubled instead, run the alignment from the same menu; see our print head alignment guide. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Why did the first set of cartridges run out so fast?
They shouldn't run out faster than retail cartridges: Brother USA says the in-box cartridges yield about the same as a replacement LC3011. Yields are measured on standard test pages, so photos, heavy color and cleaning cycles use ink faster. See why the first cartridges run out fast.
Does the MFC-J497DW have fax and an automatic document feeder?
Yes. The MFC-J497DW is an MFC (multi-function center) model, so it prints, scans, copies, and faxes, and it has a 20-sheet automatic document feeder.
Can I use LC3013 in place of LC3011?
Yes. LC3013 is the high-yield version of LC3011 and fits the same slots. Most people should buy LC3013 for the lower cost per page.
MFC-J497DW key facts
- Type: compact wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 4 individual Brother LC3011/LC3013 cartridges
- Same ink as: MFC-J491DW, MFC-J690DW, MFC-J895DW
What MFC-J497DW 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.
Can I keep printing if a color cartridge runs dry?
Yes, for a while. The printer switches to "B&W Print Only" and keeps printing, copying and faxing in black on plain-paper settings for about four weeks. Unplugging it or removing a cartridge ends that grace period.
The screen says "Ink Absorber Full." Can I fix that myself?
No. Brother says the ink absorber is a service-center repair. It also warns that non-Brother ink can fill the absorber faster and that such repairs may not be covered under warranty.
Can the document feeder copy both sides of a page automatically?
No. The 20-sheet feeder scans one side only. Automatic two-sided output is for printing.
Why is two-sided printing so slow?
Brother rates two-sided printing at about 3 pages per minute, against 12 ppm black and 6 ppm color for one-sided pages.
Can I connect it to my network with a cable?
No. It has Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Wi-Fi Direct and USB 2.0. Brother lists no Ethernet port.
MFC-J497DW quirks worth knowing
- Outside North America the same printer takes LC3211 and LC3213 cartridges (200 and 400 pages) instead of LC3011 and LC3013. Buy for the region the printer came from.
- Black-only grace mode has limits: choosing the "Slow Drying Paper" setting, unplugging the printer or removing a cartridge stops all printing until the empty color is replaced.
- The cartridges in the box are not cut-down starters. Brother USA says they yield about the same as a replacement LC3011.
- The MFC-J491DW, J497DW, J690DW and J895DW share one Brother manual, which is a good sign they share parts and ink as well as cartridges.
Other printers that use LC3011 and LC3013
Brother MFC-J895DW · Brother MFC-J491DW · Brother MFC-J690DW
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 10, 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.