Compatible Brother LC11 ink cartridge: compatibility, installation and savings guide

If you have a Brother DCP or MFC series inkjet printer and are looking to reduce your cost per page without sacrificing quality, the compatible Brother LC11 ink cartridge is a direct alternative to the original consumable. Here we explain which machines it works with, how to install it, what to do if your printer doesn't recognise it and why it makes sense compared with the branded one.

What it is and which printers it works with

The LC11 is an inkjet cartridge designed for Brother's home and small-office inkjet multifunction printers.

It is compatible with these Brother models:

• DCP-145C, DCP-165C, DCP-185C, DCP-385C, DCP-585CW, DCP-6690CW
• MFC-250C, MFC-290C, MFC-490CW, MFC-790CW, MFC-990CW
• MFC-5490CN, MFC-5890CN

If your machine appears in this list, the cartridge is suitable. If you don't see it, check the label inside the cartridge cover before buying.

How to install it and what to do if it "doesn't recognise the cartridge"

Browse the available products and check compatibility, declared yield and price on each product page.

• Open the front cover and wait for the carriage to move into the replacement position.
• Press the release lever and remove the empty cartridge.
• Take the new cartridge out of its wrapping, remove the orange protective tab and do not touch the chip or the ink outlet.
• Insert it into its matching colour slot until you hear the click and close the cover.

If the printer shows "Cartridge not detected" or "Cannot detect", it usually isn't a fault with the product. Try the following: remove and reinsert the cartridge, making sure it clicks; carefully clean the gold contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth; and switch the printer off for a few seconds to reset the chip reading. On some models it's worth waiting a couple of minutes after the change so the system recalibrates the ink level. If the warning persists after these steps, get in touch with us.

Yield and savings compared with the original

A compatible cartridge manufactured under ISO 9001 control delivers sharp printing on text documents and everyday graphics, at a cost per page notably lower than the branded consumable. The saving is especially noticeable if you print frequently or in colour. If you want to work out how much you really spend, we have a guide dedicated to the real cost of printing, and another where we put original and compatible side by side so you can judge the difference with your own eyes.

To check that all colours come out correctly after the change, you can use our CMYK print test page.

Why buy it at Star Toner

Your Startoner consumable is covered by a three-year legal conformity guarantee. Printer coverage is governed by the manufacturer’s terms and may exclude damage caused by consumables. Using a compatible cartridge does not by itself establish the cause of a fault; keep your documentation and contact us if a problem occurs.

If your machine is newer and uses a different reference, we also have compatible Brother LC223, LC3213 and LC3217 cartridges with the same value for money.

Frequently asked questions