What Toner Does the Brother MFC-L8900CDW Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The Brother MFC-L8900CDW uses four toner cartridges — black, cyan, magenta and yellow — in three capacities: TN431 (standard), TN433 (high-yield) and TN436 (super high-yield). It also uses a DR431CL drum unit, a BU330CL belt and a WT320CL waste toner box. Castle Ink stocks TN433 and TN436 cartridges, including a TN436 4-color set.
Brother MFC-L8900CDW Toner at a Glance
| Supply | Colors | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Brother TN431 | BK / C / M / Y (standard) | ~3,000 black / ~1,800 each color |
| Brother TN433 — TN433BK, TN433C, TN433M, TN433Y | BK / C / M / Y (high-yield) | ~4,500 black / ~4,000 each color |
| Brother TN436 — TN436BK, TN436C, TN436M, TN436Y | BK / C / M / Y (super high-yield) | ~6,500 each |
| Brother DR431CL | Drum unit (one unit, four drums) | ~30,000 pages |
| Brother BU330CL | Belt unit | ~50,000 pages |
| Brother WT320CL | Waste toner box | ~50,000 pages |
The MFC-L8900CDW is a business color laser all-in-one: print, copy, scan and fax at up to 33 pages per minute, a 70-page single-pass duplex document feeder, automatic two-sided printing, a 250-sheet tray expandable to 1,300 sheets, and Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and NFC. Brother has discontinued it, but it remains common in small offices, and its toners are shared with several current models.
TN431 vs. TN433 vs. TN436: Which Should You Buy?
All three capacities are the same physical shape and can be mixed — for example, a TN436 black alongside TN433 colors. The bigger the cartridge, the lower the cost per page. Most offices are best served by TN436 for the colors they use most and TN433 where they print less. The standard TN431 rarely makes sense on a machine this size. Use our printer ink cost calculator to compare at your volume.
Watch out for TN439: Brother's ultra-high-yield TN439 is designed for different printers and pairs with a different drum (DR433CL). It is not a supply for the MFC-L8900CDW.
Buying TN433 and TN436 Toner at Castle Ink
Shop high-yield TN433BK, TN433C, TN433M and TN433Y, or super-high-yield TN436BK, TN436C, TN436M and TN436Y — or get all four colors in the TN436 4-pack. These are newly manufactured compatible cartridges that ship the same business day on orders placed by 4 PM ET. Castle Ink does not stock the DR431CL drum; you can find the DR431CL on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
The Drum, Belt and Waste Box
Color lasers have more parts than mono lasers. The DR431CL is a single unit holding all four drums and lasts about 30,000 pages. The BU330CL belt and WT320CL waste toner box each last about 50,000 pages. The printer tells you when each one is due — you do not replace them with every toner change. Reset the matching parts-life counter after installing a new drum, belt or waste box.
How to Replace a Toner Cartridge
- Open the top cover / front cover as shown on the display, and wait for the printer to stop moving.
- Pull out the drum unit until it stops (it slides out on rails; you do not remove it completely).
- Push down the green lock lever on the cartridge that needs replacing and lift it out of the drum unit.
- Gently shake the new cartridge side to side, remove the protective cover, and slide it into the matching color slot until it clicks.
- Slide the green tab on each drum's corona wire left and right a few times, returning it to the home position.
- Push the drum unit back in and close the cover.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Replace Toner" or "Toner Low" too soon: Shake the cartridge gently and reinstall it. If you want to run each cartridge further, the Replace Toner setting can be changed to Continue. See how to reset a Brother toner cartridge.
"No Toner" with a new cartridge: Check that the cartridge is seated in the correct color slot and clicked fully. See printer says cartridge not recognized.
Colors look off or a color cast appears: Run Calibration and Registration from the printer's menu. More help in printer printing the wrong colors.
Streaks in one color: Clean that drum's corona wire with the green slider. If a streak repeats at a set interval, the drum unit may need replacing.
Which Other Printers Use the Same Supplies?
TN431/TN433 toner and the DR431CL drum also fit the Brother HL-L8260CDW, HL-L8360CDW, MFC-L8610CDW, MFC-L8895CDW and MFC-L8905CDW. The super-high-yield TN436 fits the MFC-L8900CDW, HL-L8360CDW, MFC-L8895CDW and the HL-L9310CDW/MFC-L9570CDW — but not the HL-L8260CDW.
Official Brother MFC-L8900CDW Resources
Bottom Line
The Brother MFC-L8900CDW uses TN431, TN433 or TN436 toner in four colors, plus a DR431CL drum, BU330CL belt and WT320CL waste box. For the lowest cost per page, run TN436 cartridges in the colors you use most.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Updated October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix TN433 and TN436 cartridges?
Yes. They are the same shape and the MFC-L8900CDW accepts any combination of TN431, TN433 and TN436.
Does the MFC-L8900CDW use TN439?
No. TN439 is an ultra-high-yield cartridge for other models and uses a different drum (DR433CL).
How often do I replace the DR431CL drum?
About every 30,000 pages. The printer will tell you when it is due.
Does compatible toner void the warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Brother cannot void your warranty only because you used third-party toner.
Shop Toner at Castle Ink
Find the right cartridge for the Brother MFC-L8900CDW 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-L8900CDW on Amazon: Brother MFC-L8900CDW 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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