The answer is a damaged or defective drum unit, as the repeating horizontal band of missing text every three inches directly corresponds to the drum’s circumference. In a laser printer, any scratch, nick, or wear on the organic photoconductor drum will fail to attract toner in that exact spot during each rotation, creating a consistent gap in the printed image. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between toner cartridge issues and separate drum or roller defects—a common trap is assuming a new toner cartridge eliminates all print quality problems, but the drum is a separate consumable. Remember that repeating defects at regular intervals always point to a rotating component, not the toner supply. A useful memory tip is “drum distance equals defect distance”—measure the gap between bands to identify the faulty roller or drum.
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 user reports that their laser printer prints pages with a repeating horizontal band of missing text about every 3 inches. The printer has a new toner cartridge and the drum is separate. 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.
Why wrong: Fuser temperature issues cause smudging or loose toner, not repeating missing bands. The pattern is too regular for a fuser problem.
B
The toner cartridge is defective
Why wrong: The toner cartridge is new, so it's less likely. Also, a defective cartridge usually causes overall poor quality, not a repeating pattern.
C
The drum unit has a scratch or defect
A scratch on the drum will cause a repeating missing band every time the drum rotates. The distance matches the drum's circumference, confirming this diagnosis.
D
The paper is damp or of poor quality
Why wrong: Damp paper can cause jams or wavy prints, but not a regular repeating defect. The pattern indicates a mechanical issue.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The drum unit has a scratch or defect
Repeating horizontal defects at regular intervals are classic symptoms of a damaged roller or drum. The distance between defects matches the circumference of the drum or a roller. Since the toner cartridge is new, the issue likely lies with the separate drum unit or a roller (like the transfer roller) that has a defect.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 fuser is not reaching the correct temperature
Why it's wrong here
Fuser temperature issues cause smudging or loose toner, not repeating missing bands. The pattern is too regular for a fuser problem.
✗
The toner cartridge is defective
Why it's wrong here
The toner cartridge is new, so it's less likely. Also, a defective cartridge usually causes overall poor quality, not a repeating pattern.
✓
The drum unit has a scratch or defect
Why this is correct
A scratch on the drum will cause a repeating missing band every time the drum rotates. The distance matches the drum's circumference, confirming this diagnosis.
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 or of poor quality
Why it's wrong here
Damp paper can cause jams or wavy prints, but not a regular repeating defect. The pattern indicates a mechanical issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
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 — This question tests Printer Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The drum unit has a scratch or defect — Repeating horizontal defects at regular intervals are classic symptoms of a damaged roller or drum. The distance between defects matches the circumference of the drum or a roller. Since the toner cartridge is new, the issue likely lies with the separate drum unit or a roller (like the transfer roller) that has a defect.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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