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Question

Difficulty: MediumPrinter and Multifunction Device Issues

An IT technician is troubleshooting a shared network laser printer. Users report that every printed page has a sharp, continuous vertical black line running down the entire length of the paper. The technician replaces the toner cartridge, but the line remains in the exact same position on subsequent test prints. The printer utilizes separate toner cartridges and imaging drum units. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this issue?

  1. A scratched or damaged photosensitive imaging drum surfaceAnswer
  2. B
    A malfunctioning fuser assembly heating element
  3. C
    An uncalibrated inkjet printhead matrix
  4. D
    An incorrect print driver page description language setting

Answer

A scratched or damaged photosensitive imaging drum surface
In electrophotographic (laser) printing, a continuous vertical line down the entire page is a classic symptom of a scratched photosensitive drum. The scratch prevents the drum from holding an electrical charge in that specific narrow band, attracting toner continuously during the development stage and transferring it onto the paper.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the physical print defect symptom.
A continuous vertical black line along the direction of paper travel indicates a persistent surface anomaly during the exposure or charge stage of electrophotographic printing.
If the drum surface is physically gouged or scratched, it cannot hold an electrostatic charge, causing toner to continually adhere to the damaged strip.
2
Evaluate the outcome of replacing the toner cartridge.
Since replacing the toner cartridge did not resolve the line, and this printer uses modular separate drum units, the fault lies within the drum unit rather than the toner supply.
Isolating separate components confirms the photosensitive drum retains the physical damage.

Key Concept

Identifying laser printer print quality defects caused by drum surface physical damage versus fuser or driver failures
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Printer and Multifunction Device Issues

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