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220-1201 Practice Question: A small office has an all-in-one printer that…
A small office has an all-in-one printer that supports scanning to email, but users report that scanned documents are not being delivered. The printer's network settings show a valid IP address, and the SMTP server address is correct. What should the technician check next to resolve this issue?
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
✓
Check the SMTP authentication credentials configured on the printer
This question tests understanding of multifunction device network configuration, specifically scanning to email. The most likely cause is incorrect authentication credentials for the SMTP server, as the printer must log in to send email. Checking network connectivity or DNS would be secondary if the IP is valid and the server address is correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Verify the printer's DNS settings
Why it's wrong here
Verifying the printer's DNS settings would be crucial if the SMTP server address was provided as a hostname and the printer was unable to resolve it to an IP address. However, if the problem statement implies the "server address is correct," it suggests either an IP address is configured directly, or the hostname resolution has already succeeded. Therefore, DNS is unlikely the root cause of an email delivery failure if the server address itself is deemed correct and reachable.
- ✓
Check the SMTP authentication credentials configured on the printer
Why this is correct
Incorrect SMTP authentication credentials are a very common reason for 'scan to email' failures, even when the network connection and server address are otherwise correct. The printer acts as an SMTP client and must provide valid username and password to the mail server to be authorized to send emails. Without proper authentication, the mail server will reject the connection or the attempt to send mail, preventing the scanned document from being delivered.
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Replace the printer's toner cartridge
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the printer's toner cartridge is entirely unrelated to the functionality of scanning documents and sending them via email. Toner is a consumable material specifically required for the printing process, where it is fused onto paper to create physical output. The 'scan to email' function is a digital process that does not involve printing, rendering toner levels irrelevant to its operation.
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Reboot the network switch
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting the network switch is a broad troubleshooting step that would disrupt network connectivity for all connected devices and is generally reserved for widespread network issues. Since the printer has a valid IP address, it indicates that basic network layer connectivity is established, and the printer can communicate on the local network. Therefore, a switch reboot is an unnecessary and potentially disruptive action that would not address a specific email authentication problem.
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Mobile Device Types and Features
Key term
Multifunction Printer
A multifunction printer is a single device that combines printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one machine.
Key term
Fully Qualified Domain Name
A Fully Qualified Domain Name is the complete and unambiguous website or server name that includes the host, domain, and top-level domain, leaving no room for guesswork.
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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.