220-1101 Question 458
Single answerPaper jamsA user reports that a laser printer jams almost every time it pulls paper from Tray 1. The technician clears the paper path and confirms there are no scraps left inside. The jams occur only when using paper from a recently opened ream stored in a humid supply closet, while paper from Tray 2 prints normally. Which action should the technician take FIRST to address the most likely cause of the repeated jams?
- A
Replace the fuser assembly because repeated jams usually indicate a failing heating element
- B
Move the paper to a dry location and load fresh paper that meets the printer's specifications
- C
Update the printer firmware to improve tray synchronization and jam detection
- D
Replace the toner cartridge because excess toner can cause pickup problems
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best first action is to replace the paper with dry media that has been stored properly and confirmed to meet the printer's specifications. In A+ Core 1 troubleshooting, repeated paper jams are often caused by media issues such as damp paper, curled sheets, incorrect paper weight, or loading problems. Because Tray 2 prints normally, the issue is isolated to the paper source in Tray 1 rather than the printer as a whole. Manufacturer documentation commonly advises storing paper in a controlled environment and using only supported media types and weights. A technician should rule out environmental and consumable causes before replacing hardware components such as the fuser.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A failing fuser can cause jams, especially near the exit path or with wrinkled paper after imaging, but this scenario points to a media issue tied to one tray and one humid paper source. Since Tray 2 works normally, the printer's core print engine is less likely to be the first suspect.
- B. Correct.
Correct. Paper exposed to humidity can absorb moisture, curl, stick together, and feed improperly, leading to repeated pickup and paper jam issues. The fact that jams happen only with paper from the recently opened ream in Tray 1 strongly suggests the media itself is the most likely cause. Best practice is to use dry paper stored in proper conditions and verify it matches the printer's supported weight and type.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Firmware updates can fix certain printer bugs, but they are not the first step for a symptom that is clearly tied to one batch of paper stored in poor environmental conditions. This option reflects a common mistake of jumping to software before eliminating obvious consumable or environmental causes.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Toner cartridges affect image quality and, in some cases, internal contamination, but they are not the most likely cause of tray-specific jams that correlate with humid paper. This distractor targets the misconception that any repeated printer problem must involve a consumable replacement.