What Ink Does the Brother MFC-J985DW Use?

Last updated: September 27, 2026. Reviewed by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Correction: an earlier version of this article said the MFC-J985DW uses LC203/LC201 cartridges. It uses LC20E.

Quick answer: what ink does the Brother MFC-J985DW use?

The Brother MFC-J985DW uses 4 Brother LC20E INKvestment cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. LC20E comes only in super-high-yield size, rated for about 2,400 black and 1,200 color pages, so there's no standard-versus-XL decision to make. Each color is a separate cartridge, so you only replace the one that runs out.

Cartridge options at a glance

*Approximate ISO yields from published cartridge specifications. Real-world results depend on coverage, photo printing, and cleaning cycles.

Common questions about Brother MFC-J985DW ink

Is there a standard or XL version of LC20E?

No. LC20E comes only in super-high-yield size, rated for about 2,400 black and 1,200 color pages, so there's no standard-versus-XL decision to make. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers for how yield affects cost per page.

What other printers use Brother LC20E ink?

LC20E also fits the MFC-J775DW, and MFC-J5920DW. If you own more than one, a single stock of cartridges covers them all.

Will other Brother cartridges fit the MFC-J985DW?

No. Brother LC201/LC203 (MFC-J480DW, MFC-J680DW, MFC-J880DW) and LC3011/LC3013 look similar but won't fit. Always match the number on your current cartridge.

Are compatible LC20E cartridges safe for the MFC-J985DW?

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-J985DW?

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-J985DW 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-J985DW 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.

What does INKvestment mean on the MFC-J985DW?

It's Brother's name for printers that pair super-high-yield cartridges with an internal ink tank, which lowers the cost per page. You still replace ordinary LC20E cartridges, not bottles.

Does the MFC-J985DW print double-sided?

Yes. It supports automatic 2-sided printing.

MFC-J985DW key facts

• Type: INKvestment all-in-one (print, scan, copy, fax)
• Ink: 4 individual Brother LC20E super-high-yield cartridges
• Same ink as: MFC-J775DW, MFC-J5920DW

Shop MFC-J985DW ink at Castle Ink

• Brother LC20E 9-pack compatible set
• Remanufactured LC20E singles: LC20EBK, LC20EC, LC20EM, LC20EY
• 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-J985DW 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 LC20E on Amazon: Brother LC20E 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.