What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J680DW Use?
Last Updated:Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.
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.
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?
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-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 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-J680DW 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.
Does the MFC-J680DW have fax and an automatic document feeder?
Yes. The MFC-J680DW is an MFC (multi-function center) model, so it prints, scans, copies, and faxes. See the key facts below for its main features.
Can I use LC203 in place of LC201?
Yes. LC203 is the high-yield version of LC201 and fits the same slots. Most people should buy LC203 for the lower cost per page.
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
Shop MFC-J680DW ink at Castle Ink
- Compatible LC203 singles: LC203BK, LC203C, LC203M, LC203Y
- Remanufactured high-yield: LC203XLBK, LC203XLC, LC203XLM, LC203XLY
- Browse all Brother ink cartridges
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-J680DW product page · Brother support
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 LC203 on Amazon: Brother LC203 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.
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