Brother DCP-L3520CDW: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Brother DCP-L3520CDW right for you?

The DCP-L3520CDW is the 2023 entry-level color all-in-one for the UK and Europe, with duplex printing, a flatbed scanner and Wi-Fi but no ADF or Ethernet. It uses the TN-248 cartridges whose chips have a reputation for rejecting compatibles, so budget for genuine or verified toner. Print speed of 18 ppm is adequate for a family. The CDWE version ships with an EcoPro subscription offer that can be ignored.

Best for: UK and EU families wanting affordable color copying

Setting up the Brother DCP-L3520CDW

Use Brother Mobile Connect or the LCD WLAN menu for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi setup. Install the Full Driver & Software Package on Windows for scanning via ControlCenter; AirPrint covers Apple devices. Keep the printer on a stable surface and run Auto Colour Registration if color fringes appear.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink cartridges, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Brother's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Brother DCP-L3520CDW uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• TN-248BK/C/M/Y toner (1,000 pages)
• TN-248XL BK toner (3,000 pages)
• TN-248XL C/M/Y toner (2,300 pages each)
• DR-248CL drum unit
• BU-229CL belt unit
• WT-229CL waste toner box

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications