The answer is that the access point has its 2.4 GHz radios disabled. This is the most likely cause because 802.11ac operates exclusively on the 5 GHz band, so if the access point is configured for 5 GHz only, any device that lacks 5 GHz support—even if it supports Wi-Fi in general—will be unable to connect. The scenario tests your understanding of wireless standards and band compatibility, a common topic on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam. A frequent trap here is assuming that all modern devices support 5 GHz, but many older or budget devices are 2.4 GHz only, even if they claim "5 GHz capable" in a limited sense. Remember: 802.11ac is 5 GHz only, so if you see an 802.11ac access point and some devices can’t connect, always check whether the 2.4 GHz radio is enabled. A helpful memory tip is “AC is 5 GHz only—if it’s missing 2.4, you’re locking out the legacy.”
220-1201 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network troubleshooting. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
After deploying a new 802.11ac access point, users report that some devices can connect but others cannot, even though they are in the same room. All devices support 5 GHz. What is the most likely cause?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The access point has 2.4 GHz radios disabled.
This scenario tests knowledge of wireless standards and band compatibility. 802.11ac operates only on 5 GHz. If the access point is configured to use only 5 GHz, older devices that only support 2.4 GHz will not connect, but 5 GHz-capable devices will.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 access point is using a non-overlapping channel.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; non-overlapping channels are good and would not cause selective connectivity.
✓
The access point has 2.4 GHz radios disabled.
Why this is correct
Correct. If only 5 GHz is enabled, devices that only support 2.4 GHz cannot connect.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The devices have incorrect SSID credentials.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; credentials would affect all devices, not just some.
✗
The access point is overloaded with clients.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; overload would affect all clients, not just some.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Network Troubleshooting — This question tests Network Troubleshooting — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The access point has 2.4 GHz radios disabled. — This scenario tests knowledge of wireless standards and band compatibility. 802.11ac operates only on 5 GHz. If the access point is configured to use only 5 GHz, older devices that only support 2.4 GHz will not connect, but 5 GHz-capable devices will.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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. During a network upgrade, a technician installs a new 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) access point in a conference room. Users now report intermittent disconnections on their older laptops. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A.The access point is overheating.
✓ B.The channel width is set too wide for older clients.
C.The DNS server is misconfigured.
D.The power over Ethernet (PoE) injector is faulty.
Why B: Wi-Fi 6 access points can operate in mixed mode, but older clients may struggle with channel width or band-steering settings. The most common issue is that the AP is using a channel width (e.g., 160 MHz) that older devices do not support, causing instability.
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Question Discussion
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