Inadequate fixing due to old fixer solution typically causes which issue?

• A. Brown stains
• B. Inadequate fixing due to old solution
• C. Splashed
• D. Scratched

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is fixation effectiveness. Fixation must remove all unexposed silver halide from the film, and this relies on the fixer being fresh and active. When fixer solution is old, its chemical activity declines and it can no longer fix properly. That means the film is inadequately fixed, which is exactly what is described in the option that attributes the issue to old fixer solution. The other faults listed come from different processing problems—staining from washing or fixer residues, splash contamination, or physical scratches—rather than a direct consequence of using exhausted fixer. So the best answer is that the issue is inadequate fixing due to the old fixer solution, which points to insufficient fixation caused by worn-out chemistry.