easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A customer reports that their office printer is…
A customer reports that their office printer is emitting a strong, acrid smell and producing distorted prints. The printer uses a fuser unit that has been in service for five years. What should you recommend as the most environmentally responsible action?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a failing component always requires full device replacement, but the trap here is that candidates overlook the environmental impact of e-waste and fail to recognize that consumable parts like fusers are designed to be replaced individually.
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
✓
Replace only the fuser unit and recycle the old one through a certified e-waste recycler.
The fuser unit is a consumable component that degrades over time, and replacing only the faulty fuser while recycling the old one through a certified e-waste recycler minimizes electronic waste. This approach addresses the root cause (a worn-out fuser) without discarding the entire printer, which would generate unnecessary e-waste and violate environmental best practices.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the entire printer with a new Energy Star model.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the entire printer with a new Energy Star model is an economically inefficient and environmentally wasteful approach when only a specific, modular component like the fuser is faulty. Fusers are often designed as field-replaceable units (FRUs) in laser printers, making a targeted repair both cost-effective and sustainable. Discarding a functional printer for a single failing part unnecessarily contributes to electronic waste, despite the new model's energy efficiency.
- ✓
Replace only the fuser unit and recycle the old one through a certified e-waste recycler.
Why this is correct
Replacing only the fuser unit is the correct and most efficient solution, as a burning smell often indicates a failing fuser, which is responsible for fusing toner to paper using heat and pressure. This targeted repair addresses the specific problem without unnecessary expense or waste. Furthermore, recycling the old fuser through a certified e-waste recycler ensures that hazardous materials are handled properly and valuable components are recovered, aligning with environmental best practices and regulations.
- ✗
Continue using the printer until it fails completely.
Why it's wrong here
Continuing to use the printer until it fails completely is a dangerous and irresponsible course of action. A burning smell from a fuser indicates overheating or component degradation, which presents a significant fire hazard due to the high temperatures involved. Ignoring this warning also risks further damage to the printer, potential electrical shorts, and could release harmful fumes into the office environment, compromising safety and print quality.
- ✗
Disassemble the printer and dispose of all parts in the general trash.
Why it's wrong here
Disassembling the printer and disposing of all parts in the general trash is an environmentally irresponsible and often illegal practice. Electronic waste (e-waste), including printer components, contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leach into soil and groundwater from landfills. Proper disposal through certified e-waste recycling facilities is mandated in many regions to prevent environmental contamination and facilitate the recovery of valuable raw materials.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.