220-1101 Question 428
Single answerCommon symptomsA user reports that their laser printer has recently started producing pages with a faint duplicate of the same text repeated farther down the page. The repeated image appears at a consistent interval on every page, even after the technician replaces the toner cartridge. Which printer component is the MOST likely cause of this symptom?
- A
Transfer roller
- B
Fuser assembly
- C
Pickup roller
- D
Duplexing assembly
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
This question tests recognition of a common printer symptom: ghosting. On the A+ Core 1 exam, candidates are expected to match print defects with likely failed components. Ghosting in a laser printer is commonly associated with the imaging path, especially the fuser when toner is not being properly fused to the page. A repeated defect at a consistent interval often points to a rotating printer component. Because the toner cartridge was already replaced, the most likely remaining cause is the fuser assembly. By contrast, transfer rollers typically affect toner transfer quality, pickup rollers affect paper feeding, and duplexing assemblies affect two-sided paper handling. This aligns with standard printer troubleshooting best practices used by manufacturers and service documentation: identify the symptom, isolate recently replaced consumables, and then check the next most likely mechanical component in the print process.
- A. Incorrect.
The transfer roller helps move toner from the drum to the paper. If it fails, common symptoms include light print, missing sections, or poor toner transfer. It is less likely to cause a repeated faint duplicate image at consistent intervals down the page.
- B. Correct.
The fuser assembly is correct. In a laser printer, the fuser uses heat and pressure to permanently bond toner to the paper. If the fuser is not fully heating or bonding the toner, some toner can remain and create a faint repeated image known as ghosting. Ghosting that repeats at regular intervals is a classic printer symptom associated with fuser problems, especially when the toner cartridge has already been replaced.
- C. Incorrect.
The pickup roller is responsible for feeding paper from the tray into the printer. When it fails, typical symptoms include paper jams, failure to pick up paper, or multiple sheets feeding at once. It does not normally cause repeated duplicate images on the printed page.
- D. Incorrect.
The duplexing assembly handles automatic double-sided printing. Problems with this assembly may cause jams during duplex jobs or issues printing on both sides, but it does not typically create ghosted text repeated at regular intervals on every page.