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220-1201 Practice Question: That the multifunction printer is producing…
A user reports that the multifunction printer is producing copies with a faint vertical line running down the entire page. The line appears in the same position on every copy, but printed documents from a PC do not have the line. What is the most likely cause?
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 scanner glass or scanning strip has a scratch or debris.
This question differentiates between scanner and printer issues. Since the line appears only on copies (scan then print) and not on PC prints, the problem is in the scanner assembly. A dirty or scratched scanner glass or a stuck debris on the scanning element causes consistent vertical lines.
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 toner cartridge is defective and needs replacement.
Why it's wrong here
A defective toner cartridge, whether due to uneven toner distribution, a damaged drum unit, or a faulty developer roller, would consistently produce print quality issues such as lines, streaks, or faded areas on all printed pages. Since the problem is reported specifically for copies, and not necessarily for print jobs sent from a computer, the toner cartridge is unlikely to be the sole cause. The issue's specificity to copies points to a problem occurring before the final printing stage.
- ✗
The printer's fuser unit is damaged.
Why it's wrong here
The fuser unit is responsible for applying heat and pressure to permanently bond the toner to the paper. A damaged fuser typically manifests as smudged printouts, toner that easily rubs off, or ghosting where previous images are faintly visible. It would not produce a sharp, consistent vertical line on copies. Furthermore, fuser issues would affect the output quality of all print jobs, regardless of their origin, as it is a critical final step in the electrophotographic process.
- ✓
The scanner glass or scanning strip has a scratch or debris.
Why this is correct
When a multifunction printer performs a copy operation, it first uses its integrated scanner to create a digital image of the original document. Any physical imperfection, such as a scratch, dust, or debris on the flatbed scanner glass or the automatic document feeder's scanning strip, will be captured by the optical sensor. This imperfection is then faithfully reproduced as a consistent vertical line on the printed copy, as it directly affects the input image data before it reaches the printing engine.
- ✗
The network cable is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty network cable would disrupt the printer's ability to communicate with the network, preventing print jobs from being sent from computers or network-based scanning functions from operating. However, making a copy is a standalone, local function that does not require network connectivity. The entire process of scanning the original and printing the copy occurs internally within the device, rendering a network cable issue irrelevant to copy quality.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Printer Types and Components
Key term
Scanner
A scanner is a device that captures physical documents or images and converts them into digital data for computer storage, editing, or transmission.
Key term
Multifunction Printer
A multifunction printer is a single device that combines printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one machine.
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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.