220-1101 Question 338
Single answerLaserA technician is troubleshooting a networked laser printer in an office. Users report that every printed page has a faint duplicate image of the page repeated lower down the sheet. The printer is not reporting any error codes, and replacing the toner cartridge did not resolve the issue. Which component should the technician replace NEXT to most likely fix the problem?
- A
Transfer roller
- B
Pickup roller
- C
Fuser assembly
- D
Separation pad
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
This scenario tests practical laser printer troubleshooting. A faint duplicate image farther down the page is a classic symptom of ghosting. On A+ Core 1, candidates are expected to associate common laser printer defects with the correct consumable or maintenance component. Ghosting is commonly linked to issues with the fuser assembly because toner is not being fully melted and bonded to the paper, allowing some of it to be transferred again later in the paper path. While imaging drums can also contribute to repeated image defects in some models, the question narrows the likely next step by stating that the toner cartridge was already replaced and by asking for the most likely component from the options given. This aligns with standard vendor troubleshooting guidance from major printer manufacturers, which typically maps ghosting and unfused toner symptoms to fuser problems or related imaging components depending on printer design.
- A. Incorrect.
The transfer roller helps move toner from the imaging drum to the paper. A failing transfer roller can cause light print, uneven toner transfer, or blank areas, but it is not the most likely cause of a repeated faint image lower on the page. That symptom is more closely associated with toner not being fully fused before the paper exits the printer.
- B. Incorrect.
The pickup roller is responsible for feeding paper from the tray into the printer. If it fails, common symptoms include paper jams or failure to pick up paper, not a ghosted duplicate image printed farther down the page.
- C. Correct.
The fuser assembly is the correct answer. In a laser printer, the fuser uses heat and pressure to permanently bond toner to the paper. If the fuser is failing, toner may not fully adhere at first and can be redeposited on the page later, creating a faint repeated image known as ghosting. Since the toner cartridge has already been replaced, the fuser is the next most likely component to address.
- D. Incorrect.
The separation pad helps ensure that only one sheet of paper is fed at a time. A bad separation pad causes multiple sheets to feed together or paper feed issues, not repeated images on a single printed page.