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Question 736 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: A network administrator is troubleshooting a…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. 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 troubleshooting a Windows 10 workstation that cannot access the internet. The workstation receives an IPv4 address starting with 169.254.x.x. The network uses DHCP, and other workstations on the same subnet are working correctly. 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.
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 workstation's network cable is unplugged or faulty, preventing DHCP communication.
The 169.254.x.x address is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when it fails to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. Since other workstations on the same subnet are working, the DHCP server is functional, so the issue is likely with the specific workstation's network configuration or connectivity to the DHCP server.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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's DNS server settings are incorrect.
- ✓
The workstation's network cable is unplugged or faulty, preventing DHCP communication.
Why this is correct
A physical connectivity issue (e.g., unplugged or faulty cable) prevents the workstation from reaching the DHCP server, causing it to fall back to APIPA. This is the most common cause when only one workstation is affected.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
The DHCP server has exhausted its address pool.
Why it's wrong here
If the DHCP pool were exhausted, other workstations would also fail to obtain addresses and use APIPA, but the scenario says other workstations are working correctly.
- ✗
The workstation's default gateway is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
A misconfigured default gateway would prevent internet access but the workstation would still receive a valid IP from DHCP, not an APIPA address.
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 workstation's network cable is unplugged or faulty, preventing DHCP communication.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
A physical connectivity issue (e.g., unplugged or faulty cable) prevents the workstation from reaching the DHCP server, causing it to fall back to APIPA. This is the most common cause when only one workstation is affected.
✗The workstation's DNS server settings are incorrect.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DNS is unrelated to IP address assignment; the 169.254.x.x address indicates a DHCP failure, not a DNS issue.
✗The DHCP server has exhausted its address pool.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A full DHCP pool would affect multiple workstations, not just one.
✗The workstation's default gateway is misconfigured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default gateway is irrelevant to DHCP address assignment; the 169.254.x.x address indicates a complete failure to obtain a lease.
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: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
If the DHCP pool were exhausted, other workstations would also fail to obtain addresses and use APIPA, but the scenario says other workstations are working correctly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The workstation's network cable is unplugged or faulty, preventing DHCP communication. — The 169.254.x.x address is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when it fails to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. Since other workstations on the same subnet are working, the DHCP server is functional, so the issue is likely with the specific workstation's network configuration or connectivity to the DHCP server.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 200-301 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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