- A
Replace the printhead
Why wrong: The nozzle check pattern passed, so the printhead is not clogged; replacing it would be unnecessary.
- B
Clean the encoder strip
Why wrong: A dirty encoder strip causes vertical banding or misalignment, not horizontal white lines.
- C
Inspect the paper feed rollers
Worn or dirty feed rollers cause inconsistent paper movement, resulting in horizontal white lines.
- D
Update the printer driver
Why wrong: Driver issues cause communication or formatting errors, not physical print defects like white lines.
Question 521 of 1,020
How to Fix Horizontal White Lines on Inkjet Prints
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of printers. 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 customer complains that their inkjet printer's output has horizontal white lines across the page. The cartridges are new and the printer passes a nozzle check pattern. What should the technician check next?
Quick Answer
The correct next step is to inspect the paper feed rollers, because horizontal white lines across the page on an inkjet printer, even after a successful nozzle check pattern, point to a mechanical feed issue rather than a clogged printhead. When feed rollers become dirty or worn, they lose traction and cause the paper to advance unevenly, creating gaps that manifest as those white lines. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between printhead defects and paper transport problems—a common trap is to immediately replace cartridges or run cleaning cycles when the nozzle check is already clean. Remember that if the nozzle check pattern prints perfectly, the issue is almost certainly in the paper path. A useful memory tip is “Lines from the rollers, not the nozzles”—if the printhead is fine, look for a mechanical cause in the feed system.
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
✓
Inspect the paper feed rollers
Horizontal white lines on inkjet output often indicate a paper feed issue, such as dirty or worn feed rollers. The roller's surface can lose traction, causing the paper to feed unevenly and creating gaps. Cleaning or replacing the feed rollers typically resolves the problem.
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 printhead
Why it's wrong here
The nozzle check pattern passed, so the printhead is not clogged; replacing it would be unnecessary.
- ✗
Clean the encoder strip
Why it's wrong here
A dirty encoder strip causes vertical banding or misalignment, not horizontal white lines.
- ✓
Inspect the paper feed rollers
Why this is correct
Worn or dirty feed rollers cause inconsistent paper movement, resulting in horizontal white lines.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Update the printer driver
Why it's wrong here
Driver issues cause communication or formatting errors, not physical print defects like white lines.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 220-1201 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Printers — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Printers practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Printers — This question tests Printers — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Inspect the paper feed rollers — Horizontal white lines on inkjet output often indicate a paper feed issue, such as dirty or worn feed rollers. The roller's surface can lose traction, causing the paper to feed unevenly and creating gaps. Cleaning or replacing the feed rollers typically resolves the problem.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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