220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a desktop printer produces pages with faint, faded text across the entire page. The technician confirms the printer is a laser printer and the toner cartridge was recently replaced with a new one. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming a new toner cartridge cannot be the problem, when it may be defective or the density setting may be too low.
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
✓
The toner cartridge is low or the toner density setting is too low.
Faint text across an entire laser-printed page most often indicates insufficient toner or a low density setting. Even a new cartridge can be faulty or improperly installed, and density settings directly control how much toner is applied. Checking these first is faster and more likely to resolve the issue than inspecting the transfer belt, fuser, or scanner.
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 belt is worn and not transferring toner properly.
Why it's wrong here
A worn transfer belt typically causes smudges, repeating marks, or missing colors rather than uniformly faint text. Since the toner cartridge is new, the issue is more likely related to toner distribution or density settings. Transfer belt failure would usually produce more specific artifacts, not overall fading. This is a less likely cause for the described symptom.
- ✗
The laser scanner unit is dirty, causing the beam to weaken.
Why it's wrong here
A dirty laser scanner unit can cause streaks, distorted images, or missing areas, but it rarely produces uniformly faint text across the whole page. Cleaning the scanner glass is a maintenance step, but the symptom points more to toner delivery or density. Scanner contamination typically affects specific regions or lines, not overall lightness.
- ✓
The toner cartridge is low or the toner density setting is too low.
Why this is correct
Even a new cartridge can be defective or not properly seated, and a low toner density setting directly reduces the amount of toner applied to the page. Faint text across the entire page is a classic sign of insufficient toner or low density. Checking toner level and density settings is the most direct troubleshooting step. This matches the symptom better than hardware failures.
- ✗
The fuser is not heating enough to bond the toner to the paper.
Why it's wrong here
A fuser problem usually causes toner to smear or rub off the page, not uniformly faint print. The text would appear loose or easily smudged rather than light. Fuser issues often trigger error codes or paper jams as well. This does not align with the reported faint but otherwise intact output.
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JA
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
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.