What Toner Does the Brother MFC-L3720CDW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother MFC-L3720CDW uses Brother TN229 (standard) or TN229XL (high-yield) toner in black, cyan, magenta and yellow, plus a separate DR229CL drum unit. Castle Ink stocks every color in both capacities, including a TN229XL 4-color set.
Brother MFC-L3720CDW Toner at a Glance
| Supply | Colors | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| TN229 — TN229BK, TN229C, TN229M, TN229Y | BK / C / M / Y (standard) | ~1,500 black / ~1,200 each color |
| TN229XL — TN229XLBK, TN229XLC, TN229XLM, TN229XLY | BK / C / M / Y (high-yield) | ~3,000 black / ~2,300 each color |
| Brother DR229CL | Drum unit (separate) | ~20,000 pages |
The MFC-L3720CDW is a compact color laser all-in-one — print, copy, scan and fax — with a 50-page document feeder, automatic two-sided printing, a 250-sheet tray, and dual-band Wi-Fi plus USB. It is part of Brother's newer TN229 generation, which replaced the older TN223/TN227 models.
New printers ship with starter toners of about 1,000 pages per color, so your first set of replacements will come due well before a full TN229XL would.
TN229 vs. TN229XL (and Why Not TN229XXL)
TN229XL cartridges are the same size as TN229 but roughly double the yield, which brings the cost per page down sharply — they are the better buy for nearly every user. You can mix capacities, for example an XL black with standard colors.
About TN229XXL: Brother also makes a super-high-yield TN229XXL, but it is listed only for certain models such as the HL-L3295CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW. Brother does not list it for the MFC-L3720CDW, so stick with TN229 or TN229XL for this printer.
Buying TN229 / TN229XL at Castle Ink
Shop high-yield TN229XLBK, TN229XLC, TN229XLM and TN229XLY, standard TN229BK, TN229C, TN229M and TN229Y, or save with the TN229XL 4-pack or TN229 4-pack. These are newly manufactured compatible cartridges that ship the same business day when you order by 4 PM ET. Castle Ink does not stock the DR229CL drum; you can find the DR229CL on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
The DR229CL Drum Unit
The DR229CL is a single drum unit that the four toner cartridges sit in, rated for about 20,000 pages. You only replace it when the printer asks — usually after several sets of toner. After installing a new drum, reset the drum counter from the printer's menu.
How to Replace a Toner Cartridge
- Open the front cover and wait for the printer to stop.
- Hold the green handle and pull the drum unit out until it stops.
- Push down the green lock lever on the cartridge you are replacing and lift the cartridge out.
- Unpack the new cartridge, shake it gently side to side, remove the protective cover, and slide it into the slot with the matching color label until it clicks.
- Clean each corona wire by sliding the green tab left and right a few times, then return it to the home position.
- Push the drum unit back in and close the front cover.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Replace Toner" stops printing: You can switch the Replace Toner setting to Continue to use the remaining toner. See how to reset a Brother toner cartridge.
"Cartridge Error" or "No Toner" after a change: Check that each cartridge is in the matching color slot and clicked into the drum. See printer says cartridge not recognized.
Colors look shifted or wrong: Run Color Calibration and Auto Registration from the printer's menu. More help in printer printing the wrong colors.
Repeating spots or streaks in every color: This usually points to the drum unit rather than the toner. Clean the corona wires first; if the marks repeat at a regular interval, replace the DR229CL.
Which Other Printers Use TN229 Toner?
TN229/TN229XL toner and the DR229CL drum also fit the Brother HL-L3220CDW, HL-L3280CDW, HL-L3295CDW, HL-L3300CDW, HL-L8245CDW, MFC-L3765CDW, MFC-L3780CDW and MFC-L8395CDW.
Official Brother MFC-L3720CDW Resources
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-L3720CDW uses TN229 or TN229XL toner in four colors and a separate DR229CL drum. Buy the TN229XL set for the best value, and skip the TN229XXL — Brother doesn't list it for this model.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MFC-L3720CDW use TN227 or TN223?
No. Those are for the previous generation (such as the MFC-L3770CDW). The MFC-L3720CDW uses TN229 and TN229XL.
Can I use TN229XXL in the MFC-L3720CDW?
Brother does not list TN229XXL for this model. Use TN229 or TN229XL.
Is the DR229CL four separate drums?
No. The DR229CL is a single drum unit that holds all four toner cartridges.
Can I mix standard and XL cartridges?
Yes. Any combination of TN229 and TN229XL works.
Shop Toner at Castle Ink
Find the right cartridge for the Brother MFC-L3720CDW and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center. Shopping for a new machine? Try the PrinterIQ Finder, a 60-second quiz that matches you to a printer.
Buy the Brother MFC-L3720CDW on Amazon: Brother MFC-L3720CDW on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See also: printer printing the wrong colors | how to reset a Brother toner cartridge | how long do toner cartridges last
Need replacement Brother toner cartridges? Shop Brother toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.
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