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220-1201 Practice Question: That their inkjet printer makes a loud grinding…
A user reports that their inkjet printer makes a loud grinding noise when printing, and the paper feeds crookedly. Which component is most likely failing?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests whether candidates can map a symptom to the correct subsystem — grinding plus skew is mechanical (rollers), while grinding alone during head movement would point to the carriage/belt.
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
✓
The paper feed rollers.
Crooked paper feeding combined with a loud grinding noise points to mechanical wear in the paper feed path. The paper feed rollers (pickup, separation, and feed rollers) grip and advance paper; when they are worn, glazed, or misaligned, paper skews and the gears driving them grind. This is a classic hardware symptom, not an ink or electronics issue.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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The printhead assembly.
Why it's wrong here
The printhead assembly is responsible for precisely ejecting ink onto the paper to form images and text. While a malfunctioning printhead can lead to streaky prints, missing colors, or blurred output, it does not typically produce loud mechanical grinding noises or directly cause paper to feed askew. Its movement is usually smooth and controlled along the carriage, and any issues would manifest as print quality defects rather than paper path disruptions.
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The paper feed rollers.
Why this is correct
Worn, dirty, or misaligned paper feed rollers are a common cause of grinding noises and skewed paper feeding in inkjet printers. Over time, the rubber on these rollers can degrade, become slick with paper dust and ink residue, or lose its grip, leading to the paper slipping as it attempts to move through the printer. This slippage, combined with the motor still trying to rotate the rollers, creates a distinct grinding sound and can pull the paper unevenly, resulting in skewed output.
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The ink cartridges.
Why it's wrong here
Ink cartridges are primarily passive reservoirs that hold the ink supply for the printer. While they are essential for printing, they are not mechanical components involved in the paper transport system. Therefore, a faulty or empty ink cartridge would typically result in print quality issues like missing colors or blank pages, rather than generating mechanical grinding noises or causing paper to feed unevenly or skewed.
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The printer's main logic board.
Why it's wrong here
The printer's main logic board, or formatter board, is the central control unit that manages all electronic operations, including communication with the computer, processing print jobs, and controlling the printer's motors and sensors. A failure in this component would typically manifest as complete operational failure, error codes, communication issues, or incorrect motor commands, rather than a specific mechanical grinding noise originating from the paper path or physically skewed paper feeding.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.