What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J690DW Use?
Last Updated:The Brother MFC-J690DW uses LC3013 high-yield ink cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow). The standard-yield LC3011 cartridges are also compatible. LC3013 yields roughly double the pages and gives the best cost-per-page.
Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| LC3013BK | Black | ~400 pages |
| LC3013C | Cyan | ~400 pages |
| LC3013M | Magenta | ~400 pages |
| LC3013Y | Yellow | ~400 pages |
| LC3011BK | Black (Std) | ~200 pages |
The LC3013 family is shared by the Brother MFC-J491DW, MFC-J497DW, MFC-J690DW, and MFC-J895DW — so a single cartridge set can serve multiple printers in your home or office.
Save on LC3013 Ink
Compatible LC3013 cartridges work in the MFC-J690DW and cost much less than OEM. Shop LC3013 cartridges at Castle Ink to save.
How to Replace Ink in the Brother MFC-J690DW
- Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer.
- Press the release lever to release the empty cartridge and lift it out.
- Unbox the new LC3013 cartridge and pull off the orange seal.
- Insert it into its matching color slot until you hear a click.
- Close the cover — the printer will run a brief priming cycle.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not detected: Wipe the gold chip with a dry cloth and reseat.
Faded prints: Run Maintenance > Print Quality Check > Cleaning.
Color missing: Confirm the orange seal was fully removed from the new cartridge.
Low ink warning persists: Compatibles often show estimated levels — judge by output quality.
Official Brother Resources
Brother MFC-J690DW product page · Brother support
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-J690DW uses LC3013 high-yield ink (or LC3011 standard). Pick LC3013 for best value and shop LC3013 at Castle Ink for the lowest prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
LC3013 or LC3011? Both fit; LC3013 prints ~2x more pages.
Page yield? About 400 pages per LC3013 color.
Can I mix LC3011 and LC3013? Yes — install any combination.
Will compatible LC3013 cartridges work? Yes, quality compatibles fit the MFC-J690DW.
Why won't my cartridge be recognized? Clean the chip and reseat firmly.
— William Elward