Brother MFC-L8690CDW: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Brother MFC-L8690CDW right for you?

The MFC-L8690CDW is the UK and European business color laser all-in-one from 2017, with duplex scanning, NFC and a 31 ppm engine. It uses the TN-421/423/426 cartridge family, and the TN-426 super high-yield set makes it economical for offices that print color brochures in-house. It is a heavy, substantial machine that has aged well. Compatible cartridges are widely available for this generation.

Best for: UK small businesses that print color documents every day

Setting up the Brother MFC-L8690CDW

Connect Ethernet or use the touchscreen wireless wizard, then install the Full Driver & Software Package from the UK support site for scanning and PC-Fax. Configure scan-to-network folders in the web interface. Set an admin password if it is shared.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the toner cartridge and drum unit, 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 MFC-L8690CDW uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• TN-423BK high-yield toner (6,500 pages)
• TN-423C/M/Y high-yield toner (4,000 pages each)
• TN-426 super high-yield toner set
• DR-421CL drum unit (30,000 pages)
• BU-330CL belt unit
• WT-320CL 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