220-1101 Networking Practice Question
A small office has a network with a router providing DHCP. A user's computer can access the internet but cannot print to a network printer by its IP address. Other computers on the same network can print to the printer. The technician pings the printer's IP from the affected computer and gets a response. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a successful ping means the printer is fully functional and the issue must be higher up (driver or firewall), but they overlook that ping tests only Layer 3, not the specific print protocol port configuration at Layer 4.
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
✓
Printer's port configuration on the computer (e.g., RAW vs LPR)
Since the ping succeeds, Layer 3 connectivity to the printer is confirmed, ruling out network cabling and basic IP issues. The problem is specific to the print service on the affected computer, and the most common cause is an incorrect port configuration (e.g., using RAW port 9100 when the printer expects LPR on port 515, or vice versa). This mismatch prevents the print job from being accepted even though the printer is reachable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Printer driver installation
Why it's wrong here
The printer driver is important, but if the driver were completely missing or corrupted, other users might also have issues. Additionally, the driver usually works with the correct port settings. A driver issue alone is less likely since ping succeeds.
When this WOULD be correct
If the user's computer cannot print and other computers also cannot print, or if the printer is not responding to any network requests, checking printer driver installation would be appropriate.
- ✗
Windows Firewall on the computer
Why it's wrong here
Windows Firewall could block printing traffic, but the fact that ping succeeds suggests ICMP traffic is allowed. While firewall rules could block specific ports (e.g., TCP 9100), it is more common to check port configuration first. This is a secondary check.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where a computer can access the internet and ping other devices but cannot print to a network printer, and other computers can print, checking Windows Firewall would be correct if the firewall is blocking the printer's communication port (e.g., port 9100 for RAW printing) while allowing ICMP (ping).
- ✓
Printer's port configuration on the computer (e.g., RAW vs LPR)
Why this is correct
The port configuration defines the protocol and port number used for the print job. A mismatch between the computer's port settings and the printer's expected settings can prevent printing even when network connectivity exists. Checking and correcting this is the most logical next step.
- ✗
Network cable between switch and printer
Why it's wrong here
Since the printer successfully responds to a ping, the Ethernet cable and switch port are operating at the physical and data-link layers. A faulty or disconnected cable would prevent any IP-level communication, so the cable cannot be the cause of the printing failure. Replacing the cable would be an unnecessary step and would not fix the logical port mismatch that actually prevents the print job from being submitted.
When this WOULD be correct
A technician would check the network cable between the switch and printer if no computers on the network can access the printer, and pinging the printer's IP fails from multiple computers, indicating a physical connectivity issue.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Printer's port configuration on the computer (e.g., RAW vs LPR)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The port configuration defines the protocol and port number used for the print job. A mismatch between the computer's port settings and the printer's expected settings can prevent printing even when network connectivity exists. Checking and correcting this is the most logical next step.
✗Printer driver installationWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The printer is reachable by ping and other computers can print, so the driver is likely installed correctly. The issue is specific to this computer's communication with the printer, not driver functionality.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the user's computer cannot print and other computers also cannot print, or if the printer is not responding to any network requests, checking printer driver installation would be appropriate.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often assume printing issues are driver-related, overlooking that the printer is accessible and working for others, which isolates the problem to the computer's configuration.
✗Windows Firewall on the computerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The computer can ping the printer, indicating network connectivity is fine. Other computers can print, so the printer and network are working. The issue is specific to this computer's ability to print, not firewall blocking, which would typically block pings as well.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where a computer can access the internet and ping other devices but cannot print to a network printer, and other computers can print, checking Windows Firewall would be correct if the firewall is blocking the printer's communication port (e.g., port 9100 for RAW printing) while allowing ICMP (ping).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often suspect firewall issues when a computer can ping but not connect to a service, not realizing that ping uses ICMP, which may be allowed while the printer's specific port is blocked by the firewall.
✗Network cable between switch and printerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The printer is accessible via ping from the affected computer, and other computers can print, so the network cable between the switch and printer is functioning correctly. The issue is specific to the affected computer's configuration.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A technician would check the network cable between the switch and printer if no computers on the network can access the printer, and pinging the printer's IP fails from multiple computers, indicating a physical connectivity issue.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume that a connectivity problem could be caused by a faulty cable, especially when a single computer has issues, but the successful ping from that computer rules out a cable problem.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.