easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A small office has a multifunction printer that…
A small office has a multifunction printer that supports duplex printing. Users complain that when they select 'Print on Both Sides' from their application, the printer still prints single-sided. The printer driver is installed correctly. What should you check first?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the printer driver's default duplex setting and change it to 'Print on Both Sides'.
This scenario tests understanding of printer driver settings vs. application settings. Duplex printing must be enabled in both the printer driver properties and the application's print dialog. The driver default setting often overrides application choices if not set properly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ensure the printer has enough paper in the tray.
Why it's wrong here
While insufficient paper would prevent any printing from occurring, it does not specifically disable or misconfigure the printer's duplexing capability. Duplex functionality is a software-controlled feature, managed by the printer driver and its settings, which dictates how the printer physically manipulates paper to print on both sides. The presence or absence of paper only affects whether a print job can commence at all, not the operational mode of the duplexer itself.
- ✓
Check the printer driver's default duplex setting and change it to 'Print on Both Sides'.
Why this is correct
The printer driver acts as the primary interface between the operating system, applications, and the printer hardware, translating print commands into instructions the printer understands. If the driver's default duplex setting is configured for single-sided printing, it will override any application-level attempts to print on both sides, effectively forcing all jobs to print simplex. Adjusting this specific driver setting to 'Print on Both Sides' ensures the printer is instructed to utilize its duplexing unit by default.
- ✗
Replace the network cable.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the network cable addresses potential connectivity issues between the computer and a network printer, which would manifest as the printer being unreachable or print jobs failing to send. However, network connectivity has no bearing on the internal configuration of the printer's duplexing unit or the software settings within the printer driver that control this feature. A functional network connection is necessary for communication, but it does not dictate how the printer prints once a job is received.
- ✗
Update the printer firmware to the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
Printer firmware is embedded software that controls the printer's core hardware functions, such as paper handling, engine operation, and network protocols. While firmware updates can resolve hardware-level bugs or introduce new features, they do not directly alter user-configurable settings within the printer driver on the client computer. A misconfigured duplex setting is a software configuration issue on the client side, not an inherent flaw in the printer's fundamental operational code that a firmware update would address.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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