- A
The workstation has a duplicate IP address conflict.
Why wrong: A duplicate IP address would cause a different error message and might still show a valid DHCP address, not an APIPA address.
- B
The workstation's DNS server configuration is incorrect.
Why wrong: Incorrect DNS settings would prevent name resolution but would not cause the workstation to obtain an APIPA address. The workstation would still have a valid DHCP-assigned IP and default gateway.
- C
The workstation's subnet mask is misconfigured.
Why wrong: The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is standard for APIPA addresses (169.254.0.0/16). This is automatically assigned by the operating system and is not a misconfiguration.
- D
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding.
When a DHCP client fails to receive an IP address from a DHCP server, it self-assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. This explains the observed address and the absence of a default gateway.
APIPA Address: DHCP Server Unreachable | CCNA Explained
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. 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 network administrator is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation on a network that uses DHCP. The workstation receives an IPv4 address of 169.254.10.20 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 and no default gateway. The user cannot access the internet or other subnets. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the DHCP server is unreachable or not responding. This is correct because the IP address 169.254.10.20 with a /16 subnet mask is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows automatically assigns when a DHCPDISCOVER broadcast fails to receive a reply from a DHCP server. Without a valid DHCP lease, the workstation has no default gateway, so it cannot route traffic outside its local subnet, explaining the lack of internet or inter-subnet access. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DHCP failure behavior and link-local addressing; a common trap is confusing APIPA with a static IP misconfiguration or a DNS issue. Remember the memory tip: APIPA stands for “Automatic Private IP Addressing,” but I think of it as “A Problem Involving a DHCP Server Absent”—if you see a 169.254.x.x address, the DHCP server is simply not reachable.
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
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding.
The IP address 169.254.10.20 with a /16 subnet mask is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when a DHCP discovery broadcast (DHCPDISCOVER) fails to receive a response from a DHCP server. Without a valid DHCP lease, the workstation has no default gateway, so it cannot communicate outside its local subnet, explaining the lack of internet or inter-subnet access. The most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unreachable or not responding, forcing the client to self-assign an APIPA address.
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.
- ✗
The workstation has a duplicate IP address conflict.
Why it's wrong here
A duplicate IP address would cause a different error message and might still show a valid DHCP address, not an APIPA address.
- ✗
The workstation's DNS server configuration is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect DNS settings would prevent name resolution but would not cause the workstation to obtain an APIPA address. The workstation would still have a valid DHCP-assigned IP and default gateway.
- ✗
The workstation's subnet mask is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is standard for APIPA addresses (169.254.0.0/16). This is automatically assigned by the operating system and is not a misconfiguration.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding.
Why this is correct
When a DHCP client fails to receive an IP address from a DHCP server, it self-assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. This explains the observed address and the absence of a default gateway.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
When a DHCP client fails to receive an IP address from a DHCP server, it self-assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. This explains the observed address and the absence of a default gateway.
✗The workstation has a duplicate IP address conflict.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Duplicate IP conflicts typically result in a warning but do not cause the system to assign a 169.254.x.x address.
✗The workstation's DNS server configuration is incorrect.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS issues do not affect IP address assignment via DHCP.
✗The workstation's subnet mask is misconfigured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The subnet mask is correct for the APIPA range; the problem is the lack of a DHCP server response.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a 169.254.x.x address indicates a duplicate IP or a subnet mask issue, but the real trap is that APIPA is a direct symptom of DHCP server unavailability, not a configuration error on the client.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A duplicate IP address would cause a different error message and might still show a valid DHCP address, not an APIPA address.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
APIPA is defined in RFC 3927 and operates by having the client randomly select an address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range after sending four DHCPDISCOVER broadcasts (with a 5-second timeout between each) without receiving a DHCPOFFER. The client then performs an ARP probe to ensure no other host uses that address, but it never configures a default gateway, limiting communication to link-local traffic only. In real-world scenarios, this often occurs when a DHCP server is down, a switchport is in the wrong VLAN, or a firewall blocks DHCP UDP ports 67/68.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Visual reference
Quick reference
IPv4 Address Class Summary
| Class | First Octet Range | Default Mask | Networks | Hosts per Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–126 | /8 (255.0.0.0) | 126 | 16,777,214 |
| B | 128–191 | /16 (255.255.0.0) | 16,384 | 65,534 |
| C | 192–223 | /24 (255.255.255.0) | 2,097,152 | 254 |
| D | 224–239 | N/A | Multicast groups | — |
| E | 240–255 | N/A | Reserved / experimental | — |
127.x.x.x is reserved for loopback. Modern networks use CIDR (classless) rather than classful addressing.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding. — The IP address 169.254.10.20 with a /16 subnet mask is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when a DHCP discovery broadcast (DHCPDISCOVER) fails to receive a response from a DHCP server. Without a valid DHCP lease, the workstation has no default gateway, so it cannot communicate outside its local subnet, explaining the lack of internet or inter-subnet access. The most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unreachable or not responding, forcing the client to self-assign an APIPA address.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 200-301
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A network administrator receives a report that a user on a Windows laptop cannot connect to the internet, although other devices on the same subnet are working. The administrator runs `ipconfig` on the laptop and sees an IP address of 169.254.15.22 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 and no default gateway. Based on this output, what is the most likely cause of the connectivity issue?
medium- A.The laptop's DNS server settings are incorrect.
- ✓ B.The DHCP server is unreachable or not responding to the laptop's DHCP request.
- C.The laptop has a static IP address configured that conflicts with another device.
- D.The Ethernet cable is faulty or disconnected.
Why B: The IP address 169.254.15.22 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when a DHCP client fails to obtain a lease from a DHCP server. The absence of a default gateway confirms that the laptop cannot reach any DHCP server, as APIPA addresses are not routable and are only used for link-local communication. Therefore, the most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unreachable or not responding to the laptop's DHCP request.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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