Sharp’s office MFPs are usually sold as complete document systems, not just printers. The print driver, scan driver, PC-Fax driver and optional Sharpdesk software are separate components, and the device’s address book and user authentication live on the machine. Updating printer drivers Sharp devices therefore means deciding which components the user actually needs, then preserving the MFP configuration that those components depend on.
A common failure pattern is a newly installed print queue that works perfectly while the scan button in Sharpdesk or the network scanner utility cannot find the device. This is rarely a single “driver” problem. It is a combination of the scan driver, the device’s scan settings, the client firewall and the profile configuration. Treat print, scan and fax as three separate services and verify each one before closing the change.
Need the general process first? Read the complete guide to updating printer drivers, including the five-stage framework and platform checks.
01 Manufacturer context
Why updating printer drivers Sharp is different
Sharp publishes model-specific printer drivers, scan drivers, PC-Fax drivers and PCL/PostScript variants for its MX and BP families. Some devices use a common driver across a series, while others require the exact model package. Finishing units, paper feeders and authentication options must be configured in the driver after installation. The device’s web interface is the best source for the installed options and current firmware.
Sharpdesk and the network scanner tool are client applications that complement the drivers rather than replace them. If scanning is required, install the scan driver first, confirm the device is discoverable, then configure the scan profile. For a fleet, standardise the print driver version and document the scan configuration per department. Avoid installing every optional component on every workstation just because it is available.
MX · MX-C · MX-M · BP · AR · DX · Pro Series
Sharp printer driver, scan driver, PC-Fax driver, PCL/PostScript, macOS PKG
Windows 11 / 10 / Server · macOS 14+ · Linux via CUPS (selected)
02 Windows 11 & 10
Updating printer drivers Sharp on Windows
Install the model-specific printer driver and, if needed, the scan and PC-Fax drivers separately. Remove the old queue before changing driver families. Reapply finishing options and authentication settings, then test print and scan from the intended applications.
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01
Record the baseline and clear the old queue
Note the exact model code, port, current driver version and any custom defaults. Remove the affected queue and, where relevant, its dedicated port. Restart before installing. This prevents Windows from silently reusing the stale driver.
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02
Download the matching package from Sharp
Select the exact model, Windows version and architecture. Verify the digital signature and release notes. If you need scan, fax, finishing or accounting features, confirm that the package includes those components rather than assuming they are bundled.
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03
Install deliberately, not by automatic discovery
Run the signed installer and add the printer on the intended port. For a network device, use a fixed address or DHCP reservation. If a generic queue already exists, remove it before adding the new one so the driver choice is unambiguous.
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Reapply options and test real output
Reselect installed trays, finishers, colour profiles and authentication settings. Print from two applications, test duplex and colour, then reboot and print again. If scanning is part of the workflow, test it separately.
03 macOS 14 and later
Updating printer drivers Sharp on macOS
Sharp provides macOS packages for many MX and BP models. AirPrint can cover basic printing but may omit finishing and scan features. Add the queue with the Sharp driver, then verify the scanner in Image Capture or the vendor scan utility.
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Remove the existing queue before downloading
Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners and remove the device. This clears stale driver references and prevents macOS from quietly reusing a generic PostScript queue. Note any presets or custom paper sizes first.
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02
Choose AirPrint or the vendor package on purpose
If basic printing is enough, readding the device as an AirPrint queue is the most maintainable path. If you need scanning, specialty media, colour profiles or finishing, install the current Sharp package and select the vendor driver explicitly.
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03
Verify scan support outside the print dialog
Open Image Capture or the manufacturer’s scan utility and confirm the scanner is visible. A print queue can be healthy while scanning is absent. If the scanner is missing, fix discovery or the scan component before changing the print driver again.
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04
Test, then record the working configuration
Print a real document, a colour page and a duplex job where supported. Note the queue protocol, driver version and macOS release. macOS updates occasionally replace a vendor queue with a generic one, so the record is your baseline.
04 Linux & CUPS
Updating printer drivers Sharp on Linux
Some Sharp models work with CUPS using PCL or PostScript, while others have vendor Linux packages. Printing may be possible without scan or finishing support. Validate the specific model before committing a Linux workflow.
Start with discovery, not a download
Check whether the device advertises IPP Everywhere or AirPrint before installing a vendor package. A driverless queue is often more maintainable, even if it exposes fewer specialty settings.
Validate the queue and the job
After adding or updating the queue, print a real document and check duplex, media size and colour. For label or POS devices, confirm the command language and calibration separately.
Linux support is model-dependent. Where the manufacturer does not publish a current package, a driverless queue or a validated generic PCL/PostScript driver may be the only supported option. Treat unsupported features as unavailable rather than “almost working.”
05 Field notes
Sharp driver traps to avoid
The three patterns below account for a disproportionate share of Sharp driver support cases. They are worth checking before you download another package.
The scan driver is not bundled by default
A print driver may install a queue without installing the scanner component. Download the scan driver for the exact model, enable scanning on the device and test from the vendor utility before troubleshooting the application.
Sharpdesk is a workflow layer
Sharpdesk adds document management and scan workflow features; it does not replace the underlying print or scan driver. Install the driver first, then the application. Version compatibility matters, especially on current Windows releases.
Options must be declared after installation
Finishers, large-capacity trays and punch units are configured in the driver. If they are missing, the queue may refuse a job or output to the wrong tray. Compare the driver options with the device’s configuration page.
06 Coverage
Sharp models and series covered
This guide applies to the Sharp families below. Model suffixes and regional variants matter, so use the label on the device or the configuration page before choosing a package.
The list is illustrative, not exhaustive. A driver page may cover additional models or exclude older regional variants. Always compare the exact model and release notes before installing.
07 Questions
Updating printer drivers Sharp: FAQs
01 Why can’t I scan from my Sharp MFP after a driver update?
The scan driver or network scanner utility may not be installed, or the device’s scan settings and firewall rules may block discovery. Install the scan driver for the exact model, confirm the MFP is reachable and configure the scan profile. Test outside the document application first.
02 Do I need Sharpdesk to print?
No. Sharpdesk is a document and scan workflow application, not a print driver. You need the model-specific printer driver to print. Install Sharpdesk only if its scanning or document management features are part of your workflow.
03 How do I restore missing Sharp finishing options?
Open the printer properties, find the device options or accessory configuration, and select the installed finisher and trays. Confirm the hardware is reported on the MFP’s configuration page. If the options are unavailable, the queue may be using a generic driver instead of the Sharp package.
08 Source of record
Official Sharp driver sources
This site does not host or mirror driver installers. Use the manufacturer’s support portal and verify the package before installation.
Manufacturer portals can change without notice. If a link no longer resolves, navigate from the manufacturer’s main support site and search the exact model. Brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.