220-1101 Question 455
Single answer5.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot printer issues.A user reports that a networked laser printer has been producing pages with faint print across the entire page for the last hour. The printer is not displaying any paper jams or error codes, and test pages print with the same issue from multiple computers. You verify that the correct paper type is loaded and the toner-save setting is disabled. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
- A
The toner cartridge is low or defective
- B
The fuser assembly is overheating
- C
The pickup rollers are worn out
- D
The duplexing assembly is misaligned
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This scenario points to a printer-side consumable problem rather than a software or network issue because the symptom occurs from multiple computers and on printer-generated test pages. In CompTIA A+ Core 1 troubleshooting, faint print on a laser printer is most commonly associated with low toner, a bad toner cartridge, or occasionally image-transfer components depending on the model. Given the available choices, the best answer is the toner cartridge. As a best practice, technicians should isolate printer issues by printing a self-test or configuration page, checking consumable status, and comparing the symptom to known laser printer failure patterns documented by the manufacturer.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Faint printing across the entire page on a laser printer commonly indicates a low toner cartridge or a defective toner cartridge that is not supplying toner properly. Because the issue appears on prints from multiple computers and on internal test pages, the problem is with the printer hardware rather than the print driver or workstation. Verifying that toner-save mode is disabled further points to the toner cartridge itself.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A failing or overheated fuser typically causes toner to smear, rub off the page, or appear unfused rather than consistently faint across the entire sheet. The fuser's job is to bond toner to paper using heat and pressure, not to control toner density.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Worn pickup rollers usually cause paper feed issues such as misfeeds, failure to pick up paper, or multi-page feeding. They do not normally cause uniformly faint text and images once the paper has already moved correctly through the print path.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A duplexing assembly problem affects double-sided printing operations, such as jams during page flipping or issues limited to the second side of the sheet. It would not typically cause faint print on all pages, including standard test pages.