220-1101 Question 344
Single answerFeed assemblyA technician is servicing a laser printer that repeatedly pulls multiple sheets from Tray 2 and occasionally jams before the paper reaches the registration rollers. The pickup roller and separation pad were recently replaced, but the problem continues. During inspection, the technician notices that the tray's feed assembly does not lift the paper stack evenly and the top sheet sits at an angle. Which component should the technician inspect next?
- A
The tray lift mechanism in the feed assembly
- B
The fuser assembly
- C
The transfer roller
- D
The imaging drum
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This scenario points to a paper handling issue at the beginning of the print path, specifically within the feed assembly. In laser printers, the paper tray, lift plate or tray elevator, pickup roller, and separation components must work together to present a single sheet squarely into the paper path. Because the pickup roller and separation pad have already been replaced, and the technician observes uneven lifting of the paper stack, the tray lift mechanism is the best next component to inspect. This aligns with standard printer troubleshooting practice: identify where in the paper path the jam occurs and inspect the mechanical parts responsible for that stage. Manufacturer service documentation commonly directs technicians to check tray alignment, lift plates, springs, and elevator mechanisms when paper is skewed or not presented evenly to the pickup roller.
- A. Correct.
Correct. The feed assembly includes components that position and present paper to the pickup and separation system. If the paper stack is not lifted evenly, the top sheet can meet the pickup roller at an angle, causing skew, multi-page feeds, or jams before registration. After confirming the pickup roller and separation pad are new, the tray lift mechanism is the most likely next item to inspect.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The fuser assembly bonds toner to paper near the end of the print path. A fuser problem typically causes wrinkles, smearing, incomplete toner bonding, or jams near the exit path, not uneven presentation of paper at the start of feeding.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The transfer roller helps move toner from the drum to the paper. Transfer issues usually appear as print-quality defects such as light print or missing toner, rather than the paper stack feeding unevenly from the tray.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The imaging drum is involved in forming the image on the page. Drum problems usually create repeated marks, lines, or image defects. They do not normally cause the paper stack to sit unevenly in the tray or lead to early pickup misfeeds.