easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is setting up a new multifunction…
A technician is setting up a new multifunction printer for a department. The device supports duplex printing, but the driver installation wizard does not show the duplex option. Users need to print on both sides of the paper. What should the technician do first?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the order of troubleshooting steps, and candidates may jump to software solutions (firmware, drivers) before verifying hardware installation, which is the most common cause of missing features.
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 if the duplex unit is installed and properly connected.
The most likely reason the duplex option is missing from the driver installation wizard is that the duplex unit is not installed or not properly connected. Duplex printing requires a physical duplex unit in many printers, and if it is missing or not detected, the driver will not present the option. Checking the hardware first is the logical initial step before software troubleshooting.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Update the printer firmware to the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
Updating printer firmware primarily addresses internal operational bugs, security vulnerabilities, or introduces new core functionalities at a hardware level. While a very specific firmware bug could theoretically hide a duplex option, it is highly improbable for a new printer setup to lack a fundamental feature like duplexing due to outdated firmware. The absence of the duplex option typically points to a physical hardware omission or an incorrect driver installation/configuration that fails to recognize the installed hardware.
- ✓
Check if the duplex unit is installed and properly connected.
Why this is correct
Many multifunction printers offer duplexing as an optional add-on unit, or it might be an integrated component that requires proper seating and connection. If the physical duplex unit is not correctly installed, securely connected, or even present, the printer's internal diagnostics and subsequently the installed printer driver will not detect its capability. Without hardware detection, the duplex option will simply not appear in any software interface, making this the essential first troubleshooting step.
- ✗
Reinstall the printer driver using the manufacturer's full driver package.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the printer driver, especially using the full manufacturer's package, is a valid troubleshooting step for software-related issues like corrupted drivers or incorrect feature recognition. However, if the duplex unit is physically missing or improperly connected, even a perfectly installed driver cannot enable a non-existent or undetected hardware feature. Therefore, verifying the physical presence and connection of the duplex unit must precede any driver-related troubleshooting to avoid unnecessary software reinstallation.
- ✗
Configure the duplex setting in the printer's web interface.
Why it's wrong here
The printer's embedded web interface (EWS) allows for network configuration and management of various printer settings, including some advanced features. While a duplex setting might exist within the EWS, it relies on the printer's internal hardware detection. If the duplex unit is not physically installed or properly recognized by the printer's internal system, the option will either be grayed out, unavailable, or attempting to enable it will have no effect, as the underlying hardware capability is absent.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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