Introduction
The Brother MFC-L2820DW is a compact, monochrome (black & white) all-in-one laser printer designed for high-volume printing, copying, scanning, and faxing. It offers efficient performance and versatile features suitable for small offices and home use.
This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your MFC-L2820DW printer to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Key Features
- All-in-One Functionality: Print, copy, scan, and fax capabilities in a single compact device.
- High-Speed Monochrome Printing: Produces black & white documents at speeds up to 34 pages per minute (ppm).
- 2.7" Touchscreen: Intuitive interface for easy navigation and direct access to cloud-based apps.
- Automatic Duplex Printing: Saves paper by printing on both sides automatically.
- Versatile Paper Handling: Features a 250-sheet paper tray and a 50-page auto document feeder for multi-page tasks.
- Flexible Connectivity: Supports dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Ethernet, and USB 2.0.
- Brother Mobile Connect App: Manage printing, scanning, and toner levels from your mobile device.
- Toner Save Mode: Extends toner cartridge life for cost-effective operation.
- Energy Efficient: ENERGY STAR® compliant and EPEAT® Silver rated.
Image: Overview of the Brother MFC-L2820DW highlighting its key features such as the touchscreen, auto document feeder, and connectivity options.
Setup
1. Unpacking and Initial Setup
- Carefully remove the printer from its packaging.
- Remove all protective tapes and packing materials from the exterior and interior of the printer.
- Place the printer on a stable, flat surface.
2. Installing the Toner Cartridge and Drum Unit
- Open the front cover of the printer.
- Remove the toner cartridge and drum unit assembly from its protective bag.
- Insert the assembly into the printer until it clicks into place.
- Close the front cover.
Image: Contents of the Brother MFC-L2820DW box, including the printer, toner cartridge, drum unit, and various cables and guides.
3. Loading Paper
- Pull out the paper tray completely from the printer.
- Adjust the paper guides to fit the size of your paper.
- Load paper into the tray, ensuring it is flat and not exceeding the maximum fill line.
- Gently push the paper tray back into the printer.
4. Connecting the Power Cord
- Connect the AC power cord to the printer's power input.
- Plug the other end of the power cord into a grounded electrical outlet.
5. Initial Power On and Network Setup
- Press the power button to turn on the printer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions on the 2.7" touchscreen to select your language and set up network connectivity (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
- For wireless setup, select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
- Install the necessary drivers and software on your computer or mobile device from the Brother support website or using the Brother Mobile Connect App.
Operating the Printer
Printing Documents
- Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to your network or computer.
- Open the document you wish to print on your computer or mobile device.
- Select "Print" from the application's menu.
- Choose "Brother MFC-L2820DW" as your printer.
- Adjust print settings such as number of copies, paper size, and duplex printing (if desired).
- Click "Print".
Image: The Brother MFC-L2820DW printer in operation, with a document being printed from the paper tray.
Copying Documents
- Place the document face-down on the scanner glass or face-up in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF).
- On the printer's touchscreen, select "Copy".
- Adjust settings such as number of copies, quality, and density.
- Press "Start" to begin copying.
Scanning Documents
- Place the document on the scanner glass or in the ADF.
- On the printer's touchscreen, select "Scan".
- Choose your desired scan destination (e.g., computer, email, cloud service).
- Adjust scan settings as needed (e.g., resolution, file type).
- Press "Start" to begin scanning.
Faxing Documents
- Connect the telephone line cord to the printer's LINE jack and to a telephone wall jack.
- Place the document on the scanner glass or in the ADF.
- On the printer's touchscreen, select "Fax".
- Enter the recipient's fax number.
- Press "Start" to send the fax.
Connectivity and Mobile Features
Wireless Connectivity
The MFC-L2820DW supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz) for flexible placement and reliable connection to your wireless network. It also supports Wi-Fi Direct for direct connection from mobile devices without a router.
Brother Mobile Connect App
The Brother Mobile Connect App allows you to print, scan, and manage your printer directly from your smartphone or tablet. Key functions include:
- Printing documents and photos from your mobile device.
- Scanning documents directly to your mobile device.
- Monitoring toner levels and ordering genuine Brother supplies.
- Accessing cloud-based apps for printing and scanning (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, OneNote).
Image: The Brother Mobile Connect App interface displayed on a smartphone, illustrating its various functions for managing the printer remotely.
Maintenance
Replacing Toner Cartridges
When the toner is low or depleted, the printer will display a message. To replace the toner cartridge:
- Open the front cover of the printer.
- Remove the toner cartridge and drum unit assembly.
- Press the green lock lever to separate the toner cartridge from the drum unit.
- Unpack the new Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL toner cartridge.
- Slide the new toner cartridge firmly into the drum unit until it locks into place.
- Clean the corona wire inside the drum unit by gently sliding the green tab from left to right several times. Return the tab to its home position.
- Reinstall the toner cartridge and drum unit assembly into the printer.
- Close the front cover.
Image: Brother MFC-L2820DW with Brother Genuine toner and drum units, emphasizing the use of authentic supplies for optimal performance.
Replacing the Drum Unit
The drum unit (DR830) has a lifespan of approximately 15,000 pages. Replace it when prompted by the printer or when print quality deteriorates significantly despite new toner.
- Follow steps 1-3 for replacing the toner cartridge to remove the old drum unit.
- Unpack the new DR830 drum unit.
- Insert your existing toner cartridge into the new drum unit.
- Reinstall the new drum unit with the toner cartridge into the printer.
- Close the front cover.
Cleaning the Printer
- Regularly wipe the exterior of the printer with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Clean the scanner glass with a soft, dry cloth. For stubborn marks, use a small amount of glass cleaner applied to the cloth (not directly to the glass).
- Refer to the detailed cleaning instructions in the full user guide for internal components if print quality issues persist.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Printer is offline | Network connectivity issue, printer in sleep mode. | Check Wi-Fi connection, restart printer and router, ensure drivers are installed correctly. |
| Paper jam | Incorrectly loaded paper, foreign object in paper path. | Remove jammed paper carefully from all access points (front, back, tray). Ensure paper is loaded correctly. |
| Poor print quality (faded, streaks) | Low toner, dirty drum unit, dirty corona wire. | Replace toner cartridge, clean the corona wire, replace drum unit if necessary. |
| Cannot scan to computer/mobile | Software not installed, network issue, firewall blocking. | Install Brother iPrint&Scan or Mobile Connect App, check network connection, temporarily disable firewall. |
For more detailed troubleshooting, refer to the comprehensive user guide available on the Brother support website or contact Brother customer support.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Name | MFCL2820DW |
| Printer Type | Monochrome Laser All-in-One |
| Functions | Print, Copy, Scan, Fax |
| Max Print Speed (Monochrome) | Up to 34 ppm |
| Max Print Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| Duplex Printing | Automatic (Yes) |
| Max Input Sheet Capacity | 250 sheets |
| Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) | 50 pages |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (Dual-band), USB, Ethernet |
| Display Type | 2.7" Touchscreen |
| Product Dimensions (D x W x H) | 15.7" x 16.1" x 12.5" |
| Item Weight | 22.5 pounds |
Warranty and Support
The Brother MFC-L2820DW comes with a 1-year limited warranty. For warranty claims or technical assistance, please contact Brother customer support.
Brother offers free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer. Visit the official Brother support website for drivers, FAQs, and additional resources.
For information on the Refresh EZ Print Subscription service and genuine Brother supplies, please refer to the documentation included with your printer or visit the Brother website.
