Sharp BP-50M31: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Sharp BP-50M31 right for you?

The mono twin of the BP-50C31, this 31 ppm A3 machine keeps the big touchscreen and colour scanning while cutting the running cost to mono-only levels. It is the obvious choice for legal, accounting and public-sector offices that scan colour documents but print almost entirely in black. Since the chassis matches the colour models, an office can run mixed BP-50M and BP-50C units with identical staff training.

Best for: Offices printing mono but scanning colour originals

Setting up the Sharp BP-50M31

Configure the network from the panel, then set up scan destinations and LDAP in the web interface. Because the machine scans in colour but prints mono, set the default copy mode to black and white so staff do not send colour scans by accident when they only need a paper copy. For print cost control, enable the machine's user authentication and per-user page limits under the accounting settings.

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 Sharp'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 Sharp BP-50M31 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Sharp BP-AT30 series black toner
• BP-CD10 black drum unit
• Waste toner container

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