What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J5945DW Use?
Last Updated:Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.
Correction: an earlier version of this article said the MFC-J5945DW uses LC3033/LC3035 cartridges. It uses LC3037/LC3039.
Quick answer: what ink does the Brother MFC-J5945DW use?
The Brother MFC-J5945DW uses 4 Brother LC3037/LC3039 INKvestment cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard LC3037 and higher-yield LC3039 cartridges fit the same slots. LC3039 ultra-high-yield cartridges are rated for about 6,000 black and 5,000 color pages, double the black and more than triple the color of LC3037. 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 LC3037BK (super high yield) | LC3037BK | ~3,000 pages |
| Brother LC3037 color (C/M/Y) | LC3037C / LC3037M / LC3037Y | ~1,500 pages each |
| Brother LC3039BK (ultra high yield) | LC3039BK | ~6,000 pages |
| Brother LC3039 color (C/M/Y) | LC3039C / LC3039M / LC3039Y | ~5,000 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-J5945DW ink
Should I buy LC3037 or LC3039 for the MFC-J5945DW?
LC3039 for most people. LC3039 ultra-high-yield cartridges are rated for about 6,000 black and 5,000 color pages, double the black and more than triple the color of LC3037. 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 LC3037 and LC3039 works.
What other printers use Brother LC3037 ink?
LC3037/LC3039 also fits the MFC-J5845DW, MFC-J6545DW, MFC-J6945DW, and HL-J6000DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Brother cartridges fit the MFC-J5945DW?
No. Brother LC3033/LC3035 fit the MFC-J805DW, MFC-J815DW and MFC-J995DW; they look similar but aren't interchangeable with LC3037/LC3039. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Are compatible LC3037 cartridges safe for the MFC-J5945DW?
Yes. Quality compatible and remanufactured cartridges print like OEM, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. 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-J5945DW?
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-J5945DW say “Cannot Detect” or “Cannot Print”?
Remove and reseat the cartridge until it locks, 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. If one color is empty, most Brother inkjets stop printing until it's replaced. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my MFC-J5945DW 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?
New printers use part of the first set to fill the ink system. It's a one-time cost. See why the first cartridges run out fast.
Can the MFC-J5945DW print 11x17?
Yes. It's a business color all-in-one that prints up to 11 x 17 (ledger) size, with automatic 2-sided printing and fax.
What is an INKvestment Tank printer?
It's Brother's name for printers that pair high-yield cartridges with an internal ink tank inside the printer. You still buy and replace ordinary LC3037/LC3039 cartridges, not bottles; the design mainly lowers the cost per page. See the MFC-J6945DW ink guide for its step-up model.
MFC-J5945DW key facts
- Type: business color all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 4 individual Brother LC3037/LC3039 cartridges
- Max print size: 11 x 17 in.
- Same ink as: MFC-J5845DW, MFC-J6545DW, MFC-J6945DW, HL-J6000DW
Shop MFC-J5945DW ink at Castle Ink
Castle Ink compatibles typically cost 50–70% less than Brother retail and are backed by our compatibility guarantee. Estimate your savings with the Printer ink cost calculator.
Official Brother resources
Brother MFC-J5945DW product page · Brother support
Older business models: the MFC-J5330DW, MFC-J5730DW, MFC-J6530DW, MFC-J6730DW, and MFC-J6930DW use LC3017/LC3019 cartridges, not LC3037/LC3039.
Related guides
- Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it
- Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers
- Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink
- Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?
- The best compatible ink for Brother printers
- Print head alignment guide
Buy genuine Brother LC3039 on Amazon: Brother LC3039 on Amazon
About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.
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.
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 →