What Toner Does the Brother HL-L3220CDW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother HL-L3220CDW uses Brother TN229 toner for standard-yield replacement, or TN229XL for high-yield replacement. Both come as a 4-cartridge set covering black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Brother HL-L3220CDW Toner at a Glance
| Cartridge | Colors | Approx. Page Yield (per cartridge) |
|---|---|---|
| In-box starter toner | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow | ~1,000 pages each |
| Brother TN229 | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow | ~1,000 pages each |
| Brother TN229XL | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow | ~2,300 pages black / ~1,200 pages color |
This same TN229 toner family is shared across several related Brother color laser models, including the HL-L3280CDW, HL-L3295CDW, HL-L3300CDW, MFC-L3720CDW, and MFC-L3780CDW, so you can standardize on the same cartridges if you own more than one.
Save on Toner at Castle Ink
Castle Ink stocks compatible TN229 and TN229XL 4-packs at a fraction of Brother's genuine pricing — a real difference given that a full set of genuine cartridges can cost nearly as much as the printer itself:
- Brother TN229 Toner Cartridges – BKCMY 4-Pack Compatible Set
- Brother TN229XL Toner Cartridges – BKCMY High-Yield 4-Pack Compatible
How to Replace the Toner Cartridges
- Open the front cover and pull out the toner cartridge you need to replace — each color has its own slot.
- Gently rock the new cartridge from side to side several times to redistribute the toner.
- Remove the protective cover and pull the sealing tape straight out of the cartridge.
- Slide the new cartridge into its matching color slot until it locks into place.
- Close the front cover and print a test page to confirm color accuracy.
Troubleshooting Tips
If pages come out slightly curled, this is a known minor quirk of this model and is usually reduced by using the rear paper output path rather than letting pages stack on top of the printer. If a specific color looks off or streaky, try removing and reseating that color's cartridge before assuming it's defective — toner settling during shipping is a common, easily fixed cause.
Official Brother Resources
For official specifications and support, visit Brother Support.
FAQ
Do I need to replace all four toner cartridges at once?
No. Each color cartridge is replaced independently, only when that specific color runs low.
Can I mix standard TN229 and high-yield TN229XL cartridges?
Yes, you can mix and match standard and high-yield cartridges across the four colors as needed.
Bottom Line
The Brother HL-L3220CDW runs on Brother's TN229/TN229XL toner family, and Castle Ink carries compatible 4-packs of both at a significant discount versus genuine Brother pricing.
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