hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their computer can access the internet but…
A user reports that their computer can access the internet but cannot connect to a network printer that is on the same subnet. The technician pings the printer’s IP address from the computer and gets a reply. 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 printer’s print queue is paused or the printer is offline.
Since the ping succeeds, the printer is reachable at the network level. The issue is likely with the printer configuration or the print spooler on the computer. Common causes include the printer being offline, paused, or having a driver issue.
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 printer’s IP address has changed.
Why it's wrong here
If the printer's IP address had changed, the `ping` command directed at the old, incorrect IP address would have failed. A successful ping confirms that the printer is actively responding at the specified network address, indicating that its IP configuration remains as expected. Therefore, an IP address change cannot be the cause of the printing issue, as network reachability to the known IP is confirmed.
- ✗
The printer is not set as the default printer.
Why it's wrong here
The setting of a printer as the 'default' printer only determines which printer is automatically selected when a user initiates a print job without manually choosing a device. It does not prevent a computer from establishing a connection or sending jobs to other installed printers. Users can always manually select an available printer from the print dialog, so not being the default would not explain why print jobs are not completing.
- ✓
The printer’s print queue is paused or the printer is offline.
Why this is correct
A successful `ping` confirms network connectivity to the printer's IP address, meaning the device is reachable on the network. However, if the printer's internal print queue is paused, or if the printer itself is in an 'offline' state (either physically or via its driver settings), it will accept network packets but will not process or print any incoming jobs. This scenario perfectly explains why a printer is reachable but not producing output.
- ✗
The network switch port for the printer is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
A disabled network switch port would completely sever the physical layer connection between the printer and the network infrastructure. If the switch port were disabled, the printer would be entirely unreachable, and any attempt to `ping` its IP address would result in a 'Request timed out' or 'Destination host unreachable' error. Since the technician successfully pinged the printer, the switch port must be active and functioning correctly.
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TCP/IP and Common Ports for A+
Key term
Subnet
A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network, created by partitioning a larger network address space using subnet masks.
Key term
Ping
Ping is a network utility used to test whether a remote computer or device is reachable across an IP network and to measure the round-trip time of data packets.
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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.