SKU:

CS-BR-404-BK

Condition:

New Compatible

OEM Part #:

LC404BK

Color:

Black

Page Yield:

Up to 750 pages (ISO/IEC 24711)

Chip:

New compatible chip (ink-level chip)

Warranty:

Lifetime Warranty

Returns:

1-Year Free Returns

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pages does the LC404BK yield?

Up to 750 pages — Brother's published rating for the LC404 family, in accordance with ISO/IEC 24711. In this family black carries the same rating as each color; there is no separate high-yield black.

Which printers does this cartridge fit?

The three models on Brother's official LC404 list: MFC-J1205W, MFC-J1205W XL and MFC-J1215W.

Is there an LC404XL black cartridge with a higher yield?

No. Brother makes LC404 in a single tier only — “LC404XL” is not an official cartridge. Any listing under that name is a seller invention; the genuine rating is 750 pages for every LC404 cartridge.

Will this fit my MFC-J4335DW or MFC-J4535DW?

No — and this is the most common LC404 mistake on the internet. Brother's own official Q&A answer states it directly: the MFC-J4335DW and MFC-J4535DW are NOT compatible with LC404 cartridges; both use LC406 INKvestment Tank cartridges.

My printer says it cannot detect the ink volume after I install this cartridge. What should I do?

That message is the one Brother's official support page describes for non-genuine ink in this generation: the machine may or may not detect the ink volume. Remove the cartridge, check that the chip contacts are clean and untouched, reseat it firmly until it clicks, and restart the printer. The cartridge itself is chipped and reports levels in normal operation.

Will my printer recognize this compatible cartridge?

This cartridge carries a new compatible chip that reports ink levels to the printer. Brother's own support guidance for this generation — its “Cannot Detect” / “Cannot Detect Ink Volume” pages — states plainly that with non-genuine ink the machine may or may not detect the cartridge or its ink volume, and that Brother cannot guarantee optimum performance and reliability with ink of other specifications. We print that warning here instead of promising recognition we cannot guarantee.

What about firmware updates — will one block this cartridge?

Brother's official “Cannot Detect Ink Volume” page names the LC40x generation, LC404 models included, and warns that non-genuine ink may or may not be detected. No official Brother statement that a firmware update blocks compatible LC404 cartridges was found, and none is claimed here.

Can I replace only the black and leave the colors in place?

Yes. Each slot is independent, so a fresh LC404BK can go in beside colors that still have ink. When a color does run out, single LC404 cartridges exist for cyan, magenta and yellow as well.

Should I buy this single cartridge or the LC404 set of 4?

If only the black is empty — the usual case — this single is the refill you need. The set of 4 replaces all four slots at once and suits a printer whose colors are also near empty.

Is this a genuine Brother cartridge?

No — it is a Clever Supplies compatible cartridge built to the LC404BK specification, with a new compatible chip, labeled compatible on the box and on this page.

What warranty and returns does it carry?

A lifetime warranty — a cartridge that fails to perform is replaced — and free returns within the first year.

What should I check before ordering?

Confirm the model is MFC-J1205W, MFC-J1205W XL or MFC-J1215W, and that your old cartridge reads LC404BK. If it reads LC406, LC401 or LC402, your printer belongs to a different family and this cartridge will not fit.