What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J680DW Use?
Last Updated:Shopping for this printer? See all Brother LC203 & LC201 Ink Cartridges – LC203XL Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow → Ships same day by 4 PM ET, 1-year guarantee.
Correction: an earlier version of this article listed the DCP-J152W and MFC-J985DW as LC203 printers. The DCP-J152W uses LC101/LC103 and the MFC-J985DW uses LC20E.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
Brother MFC-J680DW
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 89 | About 3.3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured LC203 high-yield cartridges (about 550 pages each). |
| Reliability (13%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (12%) | 83 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. Brother USA lists the MFC-J680DW as discontinued and names no replacement. LC201 and LC203 cartridges are still widely 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 11, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
LC203 4-packBlack + Cyan/Magenta/Yellow
LC203 BlackLC203BK · ~550 pages
LC203 CyanLC203C · ~550 pages
LC203 MagentaLC203M · ~550 pages
LC203 4-pack
LC203 Black
LC203 Cyan
LC203 MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the Brother MFC-J680DW use?
The Brother MFC-J680DW uses 4 Brother LC201/LC203 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Standard LC201 and higher-yield LC203 cartridges fit the same slots. LC203 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC201. 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 LC201 (standard yield) | LC201BK / LC201C / LC201M / LC201Y | ~260 pages each |
| Brother LC203 (high yield) | LC203BK / LC203C / LC203M / LC203Y | ~550 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-J680DW ink
Should I buy LC201 or LC203 for the MFC-J680DW?
LC203 for most people. LC203 high-yield cartridges print about twice as many pages as LC201. 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 LC201 and LC203 works.
What other printers use Brother LC203 ink?
LC201/LC203 also fits the MFC-J460DW, MFC-J480DW, MFC-J485DW, MFC-J880DW, MFC-J885DW, MFC-J4320DW, MFC-J4420DW, MFC-J4620DW, MFC-J5520DW, MFC-J5620DW, and MFC-J5720DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.
Will other Brother cartridges fit the MFC-J680DW?
No. Brother LC101/LC103 (DCP-J152W) and LC20E (MFC-J985DW) look similar but won't fit. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Are compatible LC203 cartridges safe for the MFC-J680DW?
We have found no reports of the MFC-J680DW blocking compatible or remanufactured LC201/LC203 cartridges, 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-J680DW?
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-J680DW 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 any color is empty, the MFC-J680DW stops printing, even black-only pages, until that cartridge is replaced. More fixes: Printer says ink cartridge not recognized: how to fix it.
Why are prints from my MFC-J680DW faded or streaky?
From the touchscreen, print the print-quality check sheet, then clean the colors that show gaps. If lines look jagged or doubled instead, run the alignment; see our print head alignment guide. More: Why is my printer printing streaks?.
Why did the first set of cartridges run out so fast?
Brother says the starter cartridges in the box hold about 80% of a standard LC201, and a new printer also uses part of the first set to fill its ink system. It's a one-time cost. See why the first cartridges run out fast.
Does the MFC-J680DW have fax and an automatic document feeder?
Yes. It prints, scans, copies and faxes, and it has a 20-sheet automatic document feeder.
MFC-J680DW key facts
- Type: wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
- Ink: 4 individual Brother LC201/LC203 cartridges
- Same ink as: MFC-J460DW, J480DW, J485DW, J880DW, J885DW, J4320DW, J4420DW, J4620DW, J5520DW, J5620DW, J5720DW
What MFC-J680DW 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 it copy or scan both sides of a page automatically?
No. It prints two-sided on its own, but the 20-sheet document feeder scans and copies one side only.
Can I connect it with a network cable?
No. Brother lists no Ethernet port. It connects over Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Wi-Fi Direct or USB 2.0.
Is there a separate tray for photo paper?
Yes. Consumer Reports lists a separate snapshot-size photo tray alongside the 100-sheet main tray.
How many pages a month is it built for?
Brother recommends 50 to 1,000 pages a month, with a maximum duty cycle of 2,500 pages.
MFC-J680DW quirks worth knowing
- The color cartridges are not keyed, so a cyan will physically fit the magenta slot. Check the label on each cartridge before you close the cover.
- The UK and European MFC-J680DW takes LC223 cartridges, not LC201/LC203. If your printer was bought overseas, match the number on the cartridge, not the model name.
- It handles paper up to 300 g/m² and prints borderless on letter and A4.
- Expert Reviews found that color can bleed through thin paper, which is worth knowing before you print two-sided on cheap stock.
Other printers that use LC201 and LC203
Brother MFC-J480DW · Brother MFC-J880DW · Brother MFC-J4420DW · Brother MFC-J4620DW · Brother MFC-J5720DW
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 11, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement Brother LC203 & LC201 Ink Cartridges – LC203XL Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow? Shop Brother LC203 & LC201 Ink Cartridges – LC203XL Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.