220-1101 Networking Practice Question
A user is unable to print to a network printer. Other users on the same network can print to it successfully. The technician checks the user's workstation and confirms it has a valid IP address on the correct subnet. The printer's network cable is plugged in, and the link lights are active. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see 'network printer' and immediately suspect a network or physical layer issue (cable, switch port), overlooking the fact that the problem is isolated to a single workstation, which points to a client-side configuration problem like the printer driver.
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 user's printer driver configuration
Since other users can print to the network printer successfully, the printer itself, its network connectivity, and the switch port are all functioning correctly. The issue is isolated to the user's workstation, and a valid IP address on the correct subnet indicates basic network connectivity is present. Therefore, the most likely cause is a misconfigured or corrupted printer driver on the user's machine, making the printer driver configuration the first thing to check.
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 toner or ink levels
Why it's wrong here
Low toner or ink would degrade or halt printing for every user who sends a job to that device, not just one individual. Because other users on the network can print successfully, the printer's consumables and imaging subsystem are functioning normally, making this an unlikely cause of a single user's inability to print.
- ✓
The user's printer driver configuration
Why this is correct
A user's printer driver can be misconfigured in ways that only affect that workstation, such as pointing to the printer's old IP address, using the wrong port type (e.g., WSD instead of TCP/IP), or having the 'Use Printer Offline' checkbox enabled. These local settings can cause print jobs to fail at the client side while the physical printer remains available to everyone else, which is why the driver configuration is the most logical first check.
- ✗
The switch port that the printer is connected to
Why it's wrong here
The switch port that the printer is connected to is part of the shared network path for all users. If that port were faulty, the printer would lose network connectivity entirely and no one would be able to print, so the fact that other users print successfully confirms the switch port, its VLAN assignment, and the printer's network link are all operational.
- ✗
The network cable connecting the printer
Why it's wrong here
The network cable connecting the printer is another shared component: if it were damaged, unplugged, or failing, the printer would not be reachable on the network, and print jobs from all users would fail. Since the link lights are active and other users are printing normally, the cable and the printer's network interface are functionally sound, leaving the individual user's configuration as the more probable culprit.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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