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220-1201 Practice Question: A small office has an inkjet printer that…
A small office has an inkjet printer that produces prints with horizontal white lines across the page. The lines appear in different positions on each print. Which step should the technician take 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
✓
Run the printer's printhead cleaning cycle.
Horizontal white lines on inkjet output often indicate clogged printhead nozzles. Running the printer's cleaning cycle is the first recommended step to clear dried ink from the nozzles.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the ink cartridges.
Why it's wrong here
Horizontal white lines appearing in variable positions indicate a physical obstruction or debris on the printhead or encoder strip, not a uniform colour depletion. Replacing cartridges would only address consistent colour gaps or faded output from low ink, not intermittent mechanical artefacts. This option is tempting because failing cartridges often cause banding, but that banding is typically repetitive and colour-specific, not randomly positioned across the page.
- ✓
Run the printer's printhead cleaning cycle.
Why this is correct
Running the printer's printhead cleaning cycle is the primary and most effective first step for resolving print quality issues such as horizontal white lines, banding, or missing colors in an inkjet printer. This utility forces ink through the tiny nozzles of the printhead, dislodging dried ink, dust, or other debris that can cause partial or complete blockages. Clogged nozzles prevent ink from being ejected properly, leading to noticeable gaps and imperfections in the printed output.
- ✗
Update the printer driver.
Why it's wrong here
Updating the printer driver addresses software-related communication issues between the operating system and the printer hardware, or introduces new features and bug fixes. While crucial for resolving connectivity problems, incorrect print settings, or general software glitches, a driver update cannot physically clear a clogged printhead or resolve mechanical malfunctions. Physical obstructions like dried ink in the nozzles require a hardware-level cleaning process, not a software patch.
- ✗
Replace the printer's fuser.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the printer's fuser is an inappropriate troubleshooting step because inkjet printers do not contain a fuser assembly. The fuser is a critical component found exclusively in laser printers, where it uses heat and pressure to permanently bond toner powder to the paper. Inkjet printers operate by spraying liquid ink directly onto the paper, a process that does not require a fuser, making this option irrelevant to resolving any inkjet print quality issue.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their inkjet printer produces output with horizontal white lines through text and images. The printer has been used heavily for months without maintenance. What should you do to resolve this issue?
hard- A.Replace the fuser assembly
- B.Perform a printhead alignment
- ✓ C.Run the printer's printhead cleaning cycle
- D.Replace the pickup rollers
Why C: Horizontal white lines on inkjet output indicate clogged printhead nozzles. Over time, dried ink can block nozzles, preventing ink from being deposited. Running a printhead cleaning cycle uses the printer's built-in routine to clear clogs. If that fails, a manual cleaning or replacement may be needed.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.