The correct answer is the fuser assembly, because a failing fuser is the most common cause of a laser printer ghost image, especially when the toner cartridge and drum have already been replaced. Ghosting occurs when residual toner from a previous page is not fully fused or cleaned off the drum, and the worn fuser’s heat and pressure rollers transfer that faint image onto the next page. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of the electrophotographic process and the fuser’s role in permanently bonding toner to paper. A common trap is to suspect the toner cartridge or drum first, but since those are new, the fuser or its cleaning blade is the likely culprit. Remember the memory tip: “Ghosts haunt the fuser”—if you see a faint repeat image, think heat and pressure failure, not toner.
220-1201 Printer Troubleshooting Practice Question
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 large organization uses multiple network printers. One printer consistently prints pages with a faint ghost image of the previous page's content. The printer has been recently serviced with a new toner cartridge and drum. What component is most likely causing this ghosting?
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.
Why wrong: A worn transfer roller can cause uneven transfer, but ghosting is more associated with the fuser or cleaning blade, not the transfer roller.
B
The fuser assembly is failing
A failing fuser can leave residual toner on the drum, which then transfers to the next page as a ghost image. This is a common cause of ghosting.
C
The toner cartridge is low on toner
Why wrong: Low toner causes faint prints overall, not ghosting. Ghosting is a duplication of a previous image, not a lack of toner.
D
The paper path has a buildup of toner
Why wrong: Toner buildup in the paper path can cause spots or smudges, but ghosting is typically a fuser or drum issue, not a paper path issue.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The fuser assembly is failing
Ghosting—a faint duplicate of a previous image—is often caused by a failing fuser that does not properly clean residual toner from the drum or by a worn cleaning blade. Even with new consumables, the fuser or cleaning assembly may be worn. The fuser's heat and pressure can cause toner to stick and transfer later.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The transfer roller is worn
Why it's wrong here
A worn transfer roller can cause uneven transfer, but ghosting is more associated with the fuser or cleaning blade, not the transfer roller.
✓
The fuser assembly is failing
Why this is correct
A failing fuser can leave residual toner on the drum, which then transfers to the next page as a ghost image. This is a common cause of ghosting.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The toner cartridge is low on toner
Why it's wrong here
Low toner causes faint prints overall, not ghosting. Ghosting is a duplication of a previous image, not a lack of toner.
✗
The paper path has a buildup of toner
Why it's wrong here
Toner buildup in the paper path can cause spots or smudges, but ghosting is typically a fuser or drum issue, not a paper path issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Printer Troubleshooting — This question tests Printer Troubleshooting — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The fuser assembly is failing — Ghosting—a faint duplicate of a previous image—is often caused by a failing fuser that does not properly clean residual toner from the drum or by a worn cleaning blade. Even with new consumables, the fuser or cleaning assembly may be worn. The fuser's heat and pressure can cause toner to stick and transfer later.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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