- A
The DNS server is misconfigured.
Why wrong: DNS misconfiguration would cause name resolution failures, but the IP address would still be a valid one from DHCP, not a 169.254 address.
- B
The laptop's network adapter is faulty.
Why wrong: A faulty adapter might not connect at all, but here the laptop has an APIPA address, indicating it can communicate locally but failed to get a DHCP lease.
- C
The DHCP server is out of available IP addresses.
Why wrong: If the DHCP pool were exhausted, the laptop would still get no IP and use APIPA, but other devices are working, so the server likely has addresses available.
- D
The laptop's DHCP client is failing to obtain an IP address.
The 169.254 address is a self-assigned APIPA address, which occurs when the DHCP client cannot contact the DHCP server. This is the correct diagnosis.
220-1201 Network Configuration Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. 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 customer reports that their laptop connects to the office Wi-Fi but cannot access the internet. Other devices on the same network work fine. The technician checks the laptop's IP configuration and sees an IP address of 169.254.15.22. 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 laptop's DHCP client is failing to obtain an IP address.
An IP address starting with 169.254 indicates that the device was unable to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server, so it assigned itself an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address. This typically means the DHCP server is unreachable or not responding, but since other devices work, the issue is likely with the laptop's DHCP request failing.
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 DNS server is misconfigured.
- ✗
The laptop's network adapter is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty adapter might not connect at all, but here the laptop has an APIPA address, indicating it can communicate locally but failed to get a DHCP lease.
- ✗
The DHCP server is out of available IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
If the DHCP pool were exhausted, the laptop would still get no IP and use APIPA, but other devices are working, so the server likely has addresses available.
- ✓
The laptop's DHCP client is failing to obtain an IP address.
Why this is correct
The 169.254 address is a self-assigned APIPA address, which occurs when the DHCP client cannot contact the DHCP server. This is the correct diagnosis.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop's DHCP client is failing to obtain an IP address. — An IP address starting with 169.254 indicates that the device was unable to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server, so it assigned itself an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address. This typically means the DHCP server is unreachable or not responding, but since other devices work, the issue is likely with the laptop's DHCP request failing.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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