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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is setting up a new Android tablet…
A technician is setting up a new Android tablet for a field sales representative. The tablet needs to connect to the internet via a cellular data plan. The technician inserts a nano-SIM card from the company's carrier, but the tablet shows 'No SIM card' in the status bar. The SIM card works in another tablet. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests hardware vs. software troubleshooting — candidates jump to software causes (radio disabled, update needed) when the symptom 'No SIM card' points directly to a physical seating issue, especially when the SIM works in another device.
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 SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
The 'No SIM card' error with a SIM that works in another device almost always indicates a physical insertion problem — the nano-SIM is not seated correctly in the tray or is misaligned. Nano-SIMs are easy to insert upside down or at a slight angle, and the tray may not latch fully. Reseating the SIM correctly resolves the issue.
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 tablet's cellular radio is disabled in the settings.
Why it's wrong here
If the tablet's cellular radio were disabled in the settings, the device would typically display status messages such as 'Airplane mode' or 'Cellular network off'. These indicators signify that the radio hardware is present but intentionally powered down by the user or system. A 'No SIM card' message, conversely, specifically indicates that the device's SIM card reader cannot physically detect or establish communication with a Subscriber Identity Module, pointing to a hardware detection failure rather than a disabled radio.
- ✗
The SIM card is not compatible with the tablet's LTE bands.
Why it's wrong here
SIM cards are not band-specific. The SIM contains the subscriber identity; the tablet's radio handles bands. If the SIM is detected, the tablet would attempt to register, even if it fails due to band incompatibility.
- ✓
The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
Why this is correct
This is the most common cause of 'No SIM' on a new device. The SIM tray may not be pushed in all the way, or the SIM is upside down. Re-seating the SIM correctly is the first step.
- ✗
The tablet requires a software update to enable cellular functionality.
Why it's wrong here
A brand-new Android tablet's core cellular functionality, including the ability to detect a SIM card, is inherently built into its factory-installed operating system and firmware. While software updates are crucial for security patches, bug fixes, or new feature introductions, they are not typically a prerequisite for enabling fundamental hardware detection like the SIM card reader. A 'No SIM' error on a new device almost invariably points to a physical seating issue rather than a deficiency in the initial software build.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.