The correct next step is to check the media advance rollers for wear or slippage. In dye-sublimation printing, consistent paper movement is critical because the printhead applies heat to transfer dye evenly across the media; if the rollers are worn or slipping, the media advance becomes uneven, causing horizontal banding even when the printhead is clean. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to isolate mechanical feed issues from printhead problems—a common trap is to keep troubleshooting ink delivery when the real culprit is paper handling. Remember that banding after a successful nozzle check almost always points to the transport system, not the ink. A helpful memory tip: “Banding from bad rollers—check the grip, skip the tip.”
220-1101 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 technician is called to a site where a large format plotter is producing prints with banding (horizontal lines of varying density). The plotter uses dye-sublimation ink. The technician has already cleaned the printhead and run a nozzle check, but the issue persists. What should the technician check next?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the media advance rollers for wear or slippage.
Banding in dye-sublimation printers can be caused by inconsistent media advance, a failing printhead, or clogged ink lines. Since cleaning the printhead didn't help, the next step is to check the media advance mechanism, such as the rollers or encoder strip, which controls paper movement.
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.
✗
Replace the ink cartridges.
Why it's wrong here
Ink cartridges are not the likely cause if the nozzle check shows all nozzles working.
✓
Check the media advance rollers for wear or slippage.
Why this is correct
Worn or slipping advance rollers cause inconsistent paper movement, leading to banding even with good printheads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Update the printer driver.
Why it's wrong here
Driver updates address software issues, not mechanical banding from advance problems.
✗
Replace the fuser assembly.
Why it's wrong here
Dye-sublimation printers do not use a fuser; they use heat to transfer dye.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Ink cartridges are not the likely cause if the nozzle check shows all nozzles working.
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: Check the media advance rollers for wear or slippage. — Banding in dye-sublimation printers can be caused by inconsistent media advance, a failing printhead, or clogged ink lines. Since cleaning the printhead didn't help, the next step is to check the media advance mechanism, such as the rollers or encoder strip, which controls paper movement.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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