hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their laser printer jams frequently, but…
A user reports that their laser printer jams frequently, but only when printing on both sides (duplex). Single-sided printing works fine. The technician has inspected the paper and it is within specifications. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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 duplex unit is misaligned or has a mechanical fault.
Duplex jams often occur because the duplex unit (the mechanism that flips the paper) is misaligned or has a broken gear. Single-sided printing bypasses this unit, so it works fine. Other causes like paper path rollers or fuser issues would typically affect both simplex and duplex printing.
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 paper is too thick for duplex printing.
Why it's wrong here
While excessively thick or incorrect paper stock can indeed cause frequent jams in a laser printer, especially when navigating the more complex paper path required for duplexing, the question implies the user is operating within specified paper parameters. If the paper is confirmed to be within the manufacturer's recommended weight and type for duplex printing, then paper thickness itself is not the underlying cause of the frequent jamming, making this option incorrect.
- ✓
The duplex unit is misaligned or has a mechanical fault.
Why this is correct
A laser printer's duplex unit is a specialized mechanism responsible for flipping the paper after the first side is printed and accurately refeeding it into the paper path for the second side. If this unit is misaligned, has worn gears, or a faulty sensor, it can cause the paper to buckle, snag, or fail to feed correctly during the reversal process. This specific fault would only manifest as frequent jams when attempting double-sided prints, leaving simplex (single-sided) printing unaffected, which aligns perfectly with the user's reported symptoms.
- ✗
The fuser roller is worn out.
Why it's wrong here
The fuser assembly is a critical component in a laser printer responsible for melting and pressing the toner powder onto the paper, permanently bonding the image. A worn fuser roller, or issues with its heating element or pressure roller, would typically manifest as paper jams, smudged prints, or toner not adhering properly in all printing modes, regardless of whether the job is simplex or duplex. Since the problem is specifically isolated to duplex printing, a general fuser issue is unlikely to be the sole cause.
- ✗
The printer driver is set to 'duplex' incorrectly.
Why it's wrong here
Printer driver settings primarily control the logical aspects of a print job, such as page layout, print quality, and whether duplexing is enabled or disabled. An incorrect driver setting for duplexing might result in the printer attempting to print double-sided when not intended, or failing to initiate the duplex process altogether, leading to incorrect output. However, driver settings do not directly cause physical paper jams, which are mechanical failures related to the paper handling system, not software configuration.
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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.