The answer is that the static route is removed from the routing table because the recursive next hop becomes unreachable. When the connected network for 192.0.2.9 goes down, the router can no longer resolve that next-hop IP address via its routing table, so the static route is automatically withdrawn. This behavior is governed by the principle of recursive route lookup: a static route specifying only a next-hop address depends entirely on that address being reachable through a directly connected or learned route. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how routers handle route dependencies and the difference between a static route pointing to an exit interface versus one pointing to a next-hop IP. A common trap is assuming the route stays in the table as a dormant entry; in reality, it is removed immediately. Memory tip: “No path to the hop, the route must drop.”
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: a static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.. 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 static route is configured as 198.51.100.0/24 via 192.0.2.9, but the connected network to the next hop goes down. What happens to the static route in the routing table?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It is removed because the recursive next hop is no longer reachable.
If the outgoing interface or connected path to the next hop becomes unreachable, the router cannot resolve the recursive next hop and the route is removed from the table.
Key principle: A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
It remains permanently because static routes never disappear.
Why it's wrong here
Static routes can be removed if their next hop becomes unresolved.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if it asked whether static routes are permanently stored in the routing table regardless of the state of the next hop, option A would be correct. This would imply a scenario where the static route is not affected by the operational status of the next hop.
✓
It is removed because the recursive next hop is no longer reachable.
Why this is correct
Correct. The router must be able to resolve the next hop.
Related concept
A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
✗
It changes automatically into a default route.
Why it's wrong here
Static routes do not mutate into default routes.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if a static route was configured with a specific destination and the administrator later decided to change the route to a default route (0.0.0.0/0) for all traffic, this option could be correct if the question asked about the outcome of that specific configuration change.
In a different scenario, if the question stated that a static route was configured and the router was running OSPF with a redistribution policy that converts static routes into OSPF external routes, then this option could be correct when the static route is redistributed into OSPF.
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.
✓It is removed because the recursive next hop is no longer reachable.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. The router must be able to resolve the next hop.
✗It remains permanently because static routes never disappear.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Static routes are not permanent; they are removed from the routing table if the next-hop interface goes down or the next-hop IP becomes unreachable, because the route is no longer valid.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if it asked whether static routes are permanently stored in the routing table regardless of the state of the next hop, option A would be correct. This would imply a scenario where the static route is not affected by the operational status of the next hop.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think static routes are always present once configured, but they forget that the router must be able to reach the next hop for the route to be active.
✗It changes automatically into a default route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A static route does not automatically change into a default route; default routes are explicitly configured (e.g., ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 next-hop) and are not derived from other static routes.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if a static route was configured with a specific destination and the administrator later decided to change the route to a default route (0.0.0.0/0) for all traffic, this option could be correct if the question asked about the outcome of that specific configuration change.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse the behavior of floating static routes or think that a route can 'default' when its next hop fails, but that is incorrect.
✗It becomes an OSPF external route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A static route does not become an OSPF external route automatically; OSPF routes are learned through the OSPF protocol, and a static route remains static unless redistributed into OSPF via configuration.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question stated that a static route was configured and the router was running OSPF with a redistribution policy that converts static routes into OSPF external routes, then this option could be correct when the static route is redistributed into OSPF.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think that when a static route fails, the router might fall back to a dynamic routing protocol like OSPF, but that is not automatic.
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
Remember that static routes are removed if the next hop is unreachable, unlike dynamic routes that may have additional states.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Static routing is a fundamental routing method where network administrators manually configure routes on routers. These routes specify a destination network and a next-hop IP address or exit interface. The router uses this information to forward packets toward the destination. Static routes do not rely on dynamic routing protocols like OSPF or EIGRP, so they do not automatically adapt to network topology changes unless configured with tracking features.
When a static route is configured with a next-hop IP address, the router performs recursive lookup to resolve the next hop to an outgoing interface. If the connected network or interface leading to the next hop goes down, the router can no longer resolve the next hop IP address. As a result, the static route becomes invalid and is removed from the routing table. This behavior ensures that the router does not forward packets to unreachable next hops, preventing blackholing of traffic.
A common exam trap is assuming that static routes remain permanently in the routing table regardless of next-hop reachability. Unlike directly connected routes, static routes with recursive next hops depend on the reachability of the next hop. If the next hop is unreachable, the static route is withdrawn. This behavior contrasts with dynamic routing protocols that can recalculate alternate paths. Understanding this distinction is critical for CCNA exam success and practical network troubleshooting.
KKey Concepts to Remember
A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
If the connected network or interface to the next hop becomes unreachable, the router removes the static route from the routing table because the next hop cannot be resolved.
Static routes do not automatically convert into default routes or dynamic routes such as OSPF external routes under any network condition.
The router performs a recursive lookup for static routes with next-hop IPs, meaning it must find a valid path to the next hop before using the static route.
Static routes remain in the routing table only as long as the next hop is reachable, preventing traffic from being sent to unreachable destinations.
Dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP can adapt to topology changes, but static routes require manual intervention or tracking to maintain availability.
A static route with an unreachable next hop is not advertised or propagated by routing protocols and is effectively inactive until the next hop becomes reachable again.
Understanding the dependency of static routes on next-hop reachability helps avoid misconfigurations and routing blackholes in Cisco networks.
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
A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review a static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It is removed because the recursive next hop is no longer reachable. — If the outgoing interface or connected path to the next hop becomes unreachable, the router cannot resolve the recursive next hop and the route is removed from the table.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review a static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
A static route configured with a next-hop IP address requires the router to resolve that next hop to an outgoing interface before installation in the routing table.
About these practice questions
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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 router has a static route configured: ip route 10.200.0.0 255.255.0.0 GigabitEthernet0/1. The output of show ip interface brief shows that interface GigabitEthernet0/1 is administratively down. Why is the route to 10.200.0.0/16 present in the running configuration but absent from the routing table?
hard
✓ A.Because the route points to an interface that is administratively down.
C.Because the destination must be a /24, not a /16.
D.Because static routes require NTP before installation.
Why A: The static route is absent because the outgoing interface is down. In practical terms, when a static route depends on an interface that is not operational, the router cannot use that path, so the route is not installed as usable forwarding state. The configuration line alone is not enough; the forwarding path also has to be viable.
This is a realistic static-route troubleshooting pattern because it distinguishes between configured intent and operational state.
Variation 2. A network engineer configures a static route: ip route 192.168.10.0 255.255.255.0 10.1.1.2. The next hop 10.1.1.2 is reachable via OSPF. Later, the engineer notices that the route to 192.168.10.0/24 has disappeared from the routing table. What is the most likely cause?
hard
✓ A.The OSPF route to 10.1.1.0/30 has been lost, making the next-hop address 10.1.1.2 unresolvable.
B.The static route has a higher administrative distance than OSPF, so OSPF's route to 192.168.10.0/24 replaced it.
C.The static route uses a next-hop IP address that is not directly connected, which is unsupported on this platform.
D.A routing loop caused by recursive lookups has suppressed the static route to prevent loops.
Why A: A recursive static route uses a next-hop IP address; the router must have a route that resolves that next hop. If the OSPF route to the 10.1.1.0/30 network is lost, the next-hop 10.1.1.2 becomes unreachable, and the static route is withdrawn from the routing table. None of the other explanations account for the route disappearance given the scenario.
Variation 3. Exhibit: A static route to 172.16.40.0/24 is configured, but traffic still follows the default route. Which two explanations are plausible?
hard
✓ A.The next hop for the static route may not be reachable
✓ B.The exit interface associated with that path may be down
C.The default route always overrides more specific routes
D.Static routes require a metric lower than 1
E.The destination prefix must be configured under router ospf first
Why A: If a static route points to an unreachable next hop or the outgoing interface is down, the route may not be installed as usable. In that case the router can still use a less specific route such as the default route.
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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