Quick Answer
The answer is a worn drum cleaning blade. This is the most likely cause because the cleaning blade is responsible for scraping residual toner off the photosensitive drum after each page prints; when it wears out, leftover toner remains on the drum and transfers to the next page, creating a faint ghost image of the previous page about two inches below the current content. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the laser printing process and common electrophotographic failures—a common trap is confusing this with a fuser issue, but ghosting from a worn cleaning blade repeats at the drum’s circumference, not the fuser roller’s. To remember, think “drum ghost, clean the blade”—if the ghost is faint and repeats every drum rotation, the cleaning blade is the culprit.
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of printer troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user reports that their laser printer occasionally prints pages with a faint ghost image of the previous page. The ghost image appears about 2 inches below the current content. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The toner cartridge is low
Why wrong: Low toner causes faded print, not ghosting.
The fuser is overheating
Why wrong: Overheating causes smearing or jams, not a ghost image from a previous page.
The drum cleaning blade is worn
A worn cleaning blade leaves toner on the drum, which transfers as a ghost image.
The paper is damp
Why wrong: Damp paper causes jams or wavy output, not ghosting.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The drum cleaning blade is worn
Ghosting in laser printers is often caused by a worn or damaged cleaning blade that fails to remove residual toner from the drum. The leftover toner transfers to the next page, creating a faint duplicate. Replacing the cleaning blade or drum unit usually fixes the problem.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The toner cartridge is low
Why it's wrong here
Low toner causes faded print, not ghosting.
The fuser is overheating
Why it's wrong here
Overheating causes smearing or jams, not a ghost image from a previous page.
The drum cleaning blade is worn
Why this is correct
A worn cleaning blade leaves toner on the drum, which transfers as a ghost image.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The paper is damp
Why it's wrong here
Damp paper causes jams or wavy output, not ghosting.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Damp paper causes jams or wavy output, not ghosting.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Printer Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Printer Troubleshooting — This question tests Printer Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The drum cleaning blade is worn — Ghosting in laser printers is often caused by a worn or damaged cleaning blade that fails to remove residual toner from the drum. The leftover toner transfers to the next page, creating a faint duplicate. Replacing the cleaning blade or drum unit usually fixes the problem.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
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 technician is troubleshooting a laser printer that produces pages with a faint ghost image of the previous page. The ghost image is slightly offset. Which component is most likely the cause?
mediumWhy C: Ghosting in laser printers is often caused by a worn or damaged cleaning blade on the drum, or a failing fuser that doesn't fully fuse toner. The offset ghost indicates residual toner from the previous page not being cleaned off the drum.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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