The answer is the CPU fan. Even when the CPU itself passes all diagnostic tests, intermittent system crashes and blue screen errors are often caused by thermal throttling or sudden overheating, which occurs when the CPU fan fails to maintain adequate airflow under load. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that a functional CPU can still cause instability if its cooling solution is compromised—a common trap where technicians replace the CPU unnecessarily. Remember that a failing fan may still spin but at reduced RPMs, leading to random freezes that don’t appear during short diagnostics. A useful memory tip: “Fan first, CPU last” when chasing crashes after clean test results.
220-1201 CPU Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cpu. 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 says their PC randomly freezes and sometimes displays a blue screen error. You run diagnostics and find that the CPU passes all tests, but the system still crashes. Which component should you check next as a likely cause of CPU-related instability?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The CPU fan
Even if the CPU itself is functional, instability can arise from other factors. Overheating due to a failing fan can cause intermittent crashes. The CPU fan is critical for maintaining safe temperatures under load.
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 hard drive
Why it's wrong here
A failing hard drive can cause crashes, but the scenario focuses on CPU-related instability.
✗
The power supply unit
Why it's wrong here
A faulty PSU can cause crashes, but CPU fan failure is a more direct cause of CPU-related issues.
✓
The CPU fan
Why this is correct
A failing CPU fan can cause overheating and intermittent crashes, even if the CPU itself is functional.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The motherboard BIOS
Why it's wrong here
BIOS issues can cause instability, but a failing fan is a more common and direct cause of thermal-related crashes.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
A failing hard drive can cause crashes, but the scenario focuses on CPU-related instability.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
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.
CPU — This question tests CPU — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The CPU fan — Even if the CPU itself is functional, instability can arise from other factors. Overheating due to a failing fan can cause intermittent crashes. The CPU fan is critical for maintaining safe temperatures under load.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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