220-1101 Question 342
Single answerMaintenance: Clean printheads, replace cartridges, calibrate, and clear jamsA small office uses an inkjet all-in-one printer for shipping labels and invoices. Users report that black text is printing with gaps and faded horizontal lines, but paper feeds normally and there are no error messages. The technician has already confirmed the paper type settings are correct and installed a new black cartridge, but the problem remains. Which maintenance action should the technician perform NEXT to resolve the issue most efficiently?
- A
Run the printer's printhead cleaning utility from the maintenance menu
- B
Replace the pickup rollers to improve paper contact with the cartridge
- C
Calibrate the printer to clear a possible paper jam sensor fault
- D
Install a new fuser assembly because uneven toner transfer is occurring
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests the ability to distinguish among common printer maintenance tasks and apply the correct one based on symptoms. In inkjet printers, streaks, faded areas, and missing horizontal lines after cartridge replacement often point to clogged printhead nozzles rather than an empty cartridge, paper path issue, or alignment problem. Best practice is to use the manufacturer's maintenance tools in sequence: verify settings, confirm cartridge installation, run printhead cleaning, and then perform alignment/calibration if output remains misaligned. Clearing jams and replacing rollers are paper handling fixes, while fuser-related repairs apply to laser printers. Manufacturer support documentation from major vendors such as HP, Canon, Brother, and Epson commonly recommends nozzle or printhead cleaning as the first corrective action for this exact symptom pattern.
- A. Correct.
Correct. On an inkjet printer, faded output with gaps or horizontal lines after replacing the cartridge commonly indicates clogged or partially blocked printhead nozzles. Running the built-in printhead cleaning utility is the recommended next step and is a standard maintenance action before escalating to more invasive service.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Pickup rollers are related to paper feed problems such as misfeeds or failure to pick up paper. In this scenario, paper feeds normally, so replacing rollers would not address missing lines in printed text.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Calibration is used to align print output, improve color or print positioning, and in some models correct bidirectional alignment issues. It is not the appropriate next step for faded horizontal gaps when there is no evidence of a jam or alignment problem.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A fuser assembly is a laser printer component used to bond toner to paper with heat and pressure. This scenario involves an inkjet printer, so a fuser is not present and toner transfer is not relevant.