CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)HardwareEasy
A user reports that toner images appear correctly on the page but smear and flake off when touched. Which step of the laser printing process is most likely malfunctioning?
- ACleaning
- BDeveloping
- CCharging
- DFusing
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Fusing
The fusing step uses heat and pressure rollers to permanently melt toner onto the paper. If fusing fails or the fuser is too cool, toner remains loose and smears when touched.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Cleaning removes leftover toner from the drum after transfer, not paper adhesion.
- B. Developing applies toner to the latent image but doesn't bond it to paper.
- C. Charging prepares the drum's surface charge, not related to toner adhesion.
Laser Printing Process
The seven-step laser print process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing, and cleaning.
- Fusing uses heated rollers to bond toner permanently
- Skipped/failed fusing causes smearing or loose toner
- Order matters: develop → transfer → fuse
Memory trick: Perfect Cats Eat Dinner Two Fridays a Cleaning