The answer is to unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply. This is the most critical safety procedure before servicing a laser printer because the strong ozone smell indicates a failing corona wire or high-voltage power supply, which stores lethal electrical charges in capacitors even after the device is unplugged. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of laser printer hazards and the proper safety procedure before servicing a laser printer, often appearing as a trap where a technician might mistakenly focus on cleaning the drum or replacing toner. A common memory tip is to remember that ozone equals high voltage, and high voltage equals a mandatory discharge step. Think of it as “Ozone means ‘Oh, zone in on the power supply’—always unplug and discharge first.”
220-1102 Safety Procedures and Compliance Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of safety procedures and compliance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user reports that their laser printer is producing faint, streaky prints and has a strong ozone smell. The printer has been in use for three years. What is the most important safety procedure to follow before attempting to service the printer?
Why wrong: While a toner cartridge replacement might resolve the print quality issue, it does not address the safety hazard of the high-voltage power supply.
B
Unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply.
This is the correct safety procedure. Laser printers have capacitors that hold a charge; discharging them prevents electric shock.
C
Clean the corona wire with isopropyl alcohol.
Why wrong: Cleaning the corona wire is a maintenance step, but it does not address the immediate safety concern of the charged power supply.
D
Reset the printer to factory defaults.
Why wrong: Resetting the printer will not discharge the high-voltage components and is not a safety procedure.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply.
The strong ozone smell indicates a high-voltage issue, likely with the corona wire or power supply. Before servicing, you must unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply to prevent electric shock, as laser printers store lethal voltages in capacitors even when powered off.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 toner cartridge immediately.
Why it's wrong here
While a toner cartridge replacement might resolve the print quality issue, it does not address the safety hazard of the high-voltage power supply.
✓
Unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply.
Why this is correct
This is the correct safety procedure. Laser printers have capacitors that hold a charge; discharging them prevents electric shock.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Clean the corona wire with isopropyl alcohol.
Why it's wrong here
Cleaning the corona wire is a maintenance step, but it does not address the immediate safety concern of the charged power supply.
✗
Reset the printer to factory defaults.
Why it's wrong here
Resetting the printer will not discharge the high-voltage components and is not a safety procedure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between troubleshooting steps and mandatory safety procedures, trapping candidates who confuse cleaning or replacing parts with the prerequisite of power isolation and discharge.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Laser printers use a high-voltage power supply (typically 5–10 kV) to charge the corona wire and transfer drum. Even after unplugging, capacitors in the power supply can retain a charge for minutes; discharging them via a grounded tool or resistor prevents accidental shock. In real-world scenarios, technicians have been injured by neglecting this step, especially in older printers with larger capacitors.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Safety Procedures and Compliance — This question tests Safety Procedures and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply. — The strong ozone smell indicates a high-voltage issue, likely with the corona wire or power supply. Before servicing, you must unplug the printer and discharge the high-voltage power supply to prevent electric shock, as laser printers store lethal voltages in capacitors even when powered off.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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