220-1101 Question 459
Single answerFaded printsA user reports that documents printed from a monochrome laser printer are readable but consistently very light across the entire page. The printer does not display any error messages, and the test print shows the same faded output. You verify that the correct paper type is loaded and that the toner is not smeared or streaked. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
- A
The toner cartridge is low on toner and needs to be replaced
- B
The fuser assembly is overheating and burning off toner
- C
The pickup rollers are worn and feeding multiple sheets at once
- D
The transfer roller is causing paper jams in the duplexer
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
For A+ Core 1 troubleshooting, faded prints on a laser printer are most commonly associated with a low toner cartridge. The key clues are that the print is faded across the whole page, the printer's internal test print is affected, and there are no symptoms pointing to paper feed or fuser problems. Best practice is to isolate whether the issue is with the printer itself by printing a configuration or self-test page; if that page is also faded, the problem is almost certainly in the printer hardware or consumables. Manufacturer service documentation for laser printers commonly lists low toner as a primary cause of light or faded pages, while fuser issues are more often associated with toner that rubs off or does not fully adhere.
- A. Correct.
Correct. On a monochrome laser printer, uniformly faded output across the full page is a classic symptom of a low or depleted toner cartridge. Because the issue appears on the printer's own test print, the problem is local to the printer rather than the computer, driver, or application. Low toner commonly causes consistently light print density without necessarily producing streaks, smears, or error messages.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A failing or overheated fuser typically causes toner not to bond properly to the paper, leading to smearing, flaking, wrinkling, or repeated image defects rather than uniformly faded print. The scenario specifically states that the toner is not smeared, which makes a fuser issue less likely.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Worn pickup rollers affect paper handling, such as misfeeds, failure to pick up paper, or multiple sheets feeding at once. They do not normally cause the printed image itself to be uniformly faint across the page.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A transfer roller problem can affect image transfer quality, but the option specifically describes paper jams in the duplexer, which is a paper path issue rather than the best explanation for consistent light printing on every page. In A+ troubleshooting, the most likely and first suspected cause of faded laser output is low toner.