What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J5720DW Use?
Last Updated:The Brother MFC-J5720DW uses Brother LC203 high-yield (or standard LC201) ink cartridges in black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Page Yield | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother LC201BK | Black | ~260 pages | Light text printing |
| Brother LC201 C/M/Y | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~260 pages each | Light color printing |
| Brother LC203BK | Black (High Yield) | ~550 pages | Frequent text printing |
| Brother LC203 C/M/Y | Color (High Yield) | ~550 pages each | Frequent color printing |
The Brother LC201 / LC203 family also fits the MFC-J460DW, J480DW, J485DW, J680DW, J880DW, J885DW; MFC-J4320DW, J4420DW, J4620DW, J5320DW, J5520DW, J5620DW; and DCP-J152W.
Save on LC203 Ink
Compatible Brother LC203 cartridges match OEM yield and quality at a fraction of retail cost. Browse our LC203 selection or grab a BCMY 4-pack for the lowest per-page cost.
How to Replace Ink in the Brother MFC-J5720DW
- Power on the printer and open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer.
- Press the release lever above the empty cartridge to unlock it, then pull the cartridge straight out.
- Unbox the new cartridge, remove the protective orange cap, and insert it firmly into the matching color slot.
- Close the cartridge cover — the printer will prime the new cartridge automatically.
- Run a print quality check from the printer's Ink menu to confirm proper installation.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cannot detect" error. Remove the cartridge, wipe the gold contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth, and reinstall. Make sure the orange cap is removed.
11x17 paper feed issues. The MFC-J5720DW prints up to 11x17 via the rear single-sheet feed slot — load 11x17 paper there one sheet at a time.
Streaky or missing colors. Run the print head cleaning routine from the printer's Ink menu — two cycles will clear most clogs.
Wi-Fi setup issues. The MFC-J5720DW supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Ethernet — use Ethernet for best stability in a workgroup.
Official Brother Resources
For drivers and the user manual visit the Brother MFC-J5720DW support page or the main Brother support portal.
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J5720DW is a wireless 4-in-1 (print/scan/copy/fax) with NFC, dual paper trays, Ethernet, and 11x17 printing, and LC203 cartridges deliver low cost-per-page office printing. Shop compatible MFC-J5720DW ink at Castle Ink for the best savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 260 for LC201, providing much lower cost-per-page.
Does the MFC-J5720DW print 11x17?
Yes — it supports 11x17 ledger / tabloid via the rear single-sheet feed slot.
Does the MFC-J5720DW have Ethernet?
Yes — it includes wired Ethernet alongside 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
Are compatible LC203 cartridges safe to use?
Yes — quality compatibles match OEM yield and quality, and federal law protects your warranty.
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.