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220-1201 Practice Question: A user complains that their laptop frequently…
A user complains that their laptop frequently disconnects from the Wi-Fi when they move to a different room, but other devices in that room work fine. The technician checks the laptop's wireless adapter settings. Which configuration is most likely causing the issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates may mistakenly attribute the issue to signal range or channel interference (options B or D), but the key clue is that other devices work fine in the same room, pointing to a laptop-specific configuration like power saving mode.
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
✓
Power saving mode is enabled on the wireless adapter
Power saving mode on the wireless adapter reduces power consumption by periodically turning off the radio, which can cause intermittent disconnections when the laptop moves between rooms and the signal strength fluctuates. This is a common issue because the adapter may not maintain a stable connection as it transitions between access points or renegotiates power-saving states.
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 SSID is hidden
Why it's wrong here
A hidden SSID means the wireless network's name is not broadcast, requiring manual configuration on the client device to establish an initial connection. While this might complicate initial setup, once a device is successfully connected to a hidden SSID, the network's visibility status does not inherently cause intermittent disconnections. The connection would either be stable or fail to establish, rather than dropping sporadically when the laptop changes physical location.
- ✗
The wireless mode is set to 802.11a only
Why it's wrong here
The 802.11a standard operates exclusively in the 5 GHz frequency band, which offers higher data rates but typically has a shorter effective range and is more susceptible to signal attenuation by walls and obstacles compared to 2.4 GHz. If the laptop's adapter were forced into 802.11a mode, it might struggle to maintain a connection in rooms further from the access point. However, this would likely manifest as a consistent inability to connect or a very weak, constant connection issue, not intermittent disconnections that suggest a dynamic problem.
- ✓
Power saving mode is enabled on the wireless adapter
Why this is correct
When power saving mode is active on a laptop's wireless adapter, the adapter may periodically reduce its power output, enter a low-power state, or even briefly disable its radio to conserve battery life. This behavior is often triggered or exacerbated by fluctuating signal strength, such as when a user moves between rooms and the signal quality changes. The adapter might drop the connection as it attempts to save power, then struggle to re-establish it, leading directly to the observed intermittent disconnections.
- ✗
The channel width is set to 40 MHz
Why it's wrong here
Setting the channel width to 40 MHz (or wider, like 80 MHz) allows a wireless adapter or access point to utilize more contiguous spectrum, potentially increasing data throughput. While an overly wide channel can sometimes lead to increased interference, especially in congested 2.4 GHz environments, its primary impact is on performance and stability under load, not typically causing frequent, complete disconnections specifically when moving between rooms. Disconnections due to channel width are more likely to be consistent or occur under heavy network traffic, rather than intermittently due to location changes.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.