What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J5720DW Use?

Last updated: September 25, 2026.

Quick answer: The Brother MFC-J5720DW uses Brother LC203 (high-yield, about 550 pages each) or LC201 (standard, about 260 pages each) ink cartridges in four colors: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Choose LC203: it prints roughly twice as many pages. Castle Ink's LC203 cartridges are $9.99 each, about 1.8 cents per page, a fraction of what Brother's originals cost.

What Ink Cartridges Does the Brother MFC-J5720DW Use?

Yields are Brother's ISO/IEC 24711 estimates at 5% coverage. Castle Ink prices checked September 2026.

Which Printers Use the Same Ink as the Brother MFC-J5720DW?

The LC201/LC203 family fits a whole generation of Brother inkjets: the MFC-J460DW, J480DW, J485DW, J680DW, J880DW and J885DW; the MFC-J4320DW, J4420DW, J4620DW, J5320DW, J5520DW, J5620DW and J5720DW; and the DCP-J152W. See our guides for the MFC-J4420DW and MFC-J4620DW, or browse every model in our find ink by printer directory.

What Is the Cheapest Ink for the Brother MFC-J5720DW?

High-yield LC203 cartridges from a third-party supplier are the cheapest way to run the MFC-J5720DW. Brother's original LC203 cartridges typically sell for around $18–$28 each at major retailers, so a full set of four can top $80. Castle Ink's LC203 cartridges are $9.99 each, about $40 for all four colors. Because each color is a separate cartridge, replace only the one that's empty.

Should I Buy LC201 or LC203 for the MFC-J5720DW?

LC203. Both fit the same slots, but the LC203 holds roughly twice the ink of the LC201, so it costs much less per page and you'll replace cartridges half as often. The only reason to choose LC201 is if you print so rarely that ink might dry out first.

How Do I Replace the Ink in the Brother MFC-J5720DW?

1. Power on the printer and open the ink cartridge cover (on the front of the printer).
2. Press the release lever above the empty cartridge and pull it straight out.
3. Unbox the new cartridge, remove the orange protective cap, and push it firmly into the matching color slot until it locks.
4. Close the cover. The printer primes the new cartridge automatically.
5. If prompted, confirm that you replaced a cartridge, then print a quality check page from the Ink menu.

Why Does My Brother MFC-J5720DW Say "Cannot Detect" or "Unable to Print"?

"Cannot Detect": the printer can't read the cartridge. Remove it, make sure the orange cap is off, wipe the chip contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinstall firmly. Check you have an LC201/LC203 cartridge, not a lookalike from another series. "Unable to Print" or "Unable to Clean" followed by a number is usually a mechanical or print-head error: turn the printer off, check for jammed paper or debris in the carriage path, and restart. More fixes in ink cartridge not recognized.

How Do I Fix Streaky or Faded Prints on the MFC-J5720DW?

Print a quality check sheet from the Ink (or Maintenance) menu. If colors show gaps, run one cleaning cycle for the affected color, then print another check. Two cycles clear most minor clogs; if not, let the printer sit a few hours and try again. Printing at least once a week helps prevent clogs. See faded or streaky prints.

Does Brother Block Third-Party Ink on the MFC-J5720DW?

Brother printers of this generation work well with quality third-party LC201/LC203 cartridges and don't use subscription locks. You may see a message that a non-Brother cartridge is installed; that's informational. Using third-party ink doesn't void your warranty (here's why).

What Are the Brother MFC-J5720DW's Key Features?

The MFC-J5720DW is a wireless 4-in-1 (print, scan, copy, fax) built for small offices, with automatic two-sided printing, an automatic document feeder, a color touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and wired Ethernet, NFC, and tabloid (11x17) printing through the rear single-sheet feed slot.

Is the Brother MFC-J5720DW Still Worth Using in 2026?

Yes, if it still prints reliably. The MFC-J5720DW has been discontinued, but LC201/LC203 cartridges remain widely available and inexpensive, so running costs stay low. If it develops print-head failures, a new printer usually costs less than a repair; see our printer buying guide and the best compatible ink for current Brother printers.

For drivers and the manual, visit the Brother MFC-J5720DW support page or the Brother support portal.

Brother MFC-J5720DW Ink FAQs

What ink does the Brother MFC-J5720DW use?

Brother LC201 (standard) or LC203 (high-yield) cartridges in black, cyan, magenta and yellow.

Can I use LC203 instead of LC201?

Yes. LC203 prints about 550 pages versus about 260 for LC201, for a much lower cost per page.

Can I use LC3013 or LC3011 cartridges in the MFC-J5720DW?

No. LC3011/LC3013 cartridges are for newer Brother models and won't fit or be recognized.

Can I print with only black ink?

Brother printers generally need all four cartridges installed. When a color is empty, the printer may still print black-only for a while, but replace the empty cartridge promptly to protect the print head.

Are third-party LC203 cartridges safe?

Yes, from a reputable seller. See are compatible ink cartridges safe?

Does the MFC-J5720DW print 11x17?

Yes. Load 11x17 (ledger/tabloid) paper one sheet at a time through the rear single-sheet feed slot.

Does the MFC-J5720DW have Ethernet?

Yes. It has wired Ethernet alongside 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; Ethernet gives the most stable connection in a shared office.

Need help? Contact us with your printer model. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday–Friday ship the same day, with free shipping over $50.

About the Author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has been writing about printers, ink cartridges and printing technology for over 20 years.

Same ink, other models: LC201/LC203 cartridges also fit the MFC-J480DW, MFC-J680DW, and MFC-J880DW. See those guides for model-specific tips.