mediumMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: That their iPhone 13 will not charge when plugged…
A user reports that their iPhone 13 will not charge when plugged into the charging port. The user has tried different cables and power adapters, but the phone still does not charge. The phone's screen and buttons work normally. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the tendency to jump to complex causes (battery, OS, wireless coil) when the simplest physical explanation — debris in the port — is the correct answer, especially when the device otherwise functions normally.
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 Lightning port is clogged with debris
The most likely cause is that the Lightning port is clogged with debris, such as lint or dust, which prevents the charging cable from making proper contact. Since the screen and buttons work normally, the phone is functional, and the issue is isolated to the charging port. Trying different cables and adapters rules out cable/adapter faults, pointing to a physical obstruction in the port.
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 battery is completely dead and needs replacement
Why it's wrong here
A completely depleted lithium-ion battery, while unable to power the device or boot the operating system, should still register the presence of an incoming charge. The phone's charging circuitry is designed to detect power input and display a visual cue, such as a low battery icon or a charging animation, even before the battery has accumulated sufficient charge to turn on. The absence of *any* charging indicator suggests a problem with the power delivery path *to* the phone, rather than solely the battery's charge level.
- ✓
The Lightning port is clogged with debris
Why this is correct
Debris, such as lint, dust, or small particles, can accumulate at the bottom of the Lightning port, physically obstructing the connection between the cable's pins and the port's internal contacts. This physical barrier prevents the Lightning cable from fully seating and establishing the necessary electrical connection for power delivery. Consequently, the phone will not detect the charger, preventing any charging indicator from appearing and stopping power from reaching the battery.
- ✗
The operating system is corrupted
Why it's wrong here
Operating system corruption primarily affects the software functionality and boot process of the device, leading to issues like boot loops, crashes, or an inability to load the OS. However, the fundamental hardware function of detecting and receiving power through the charging port operates at a lower, hardware-level circuit, largely independent of the operating system. Therefore, even with a corrupted OS, the phone should still display a charging indicator if power is successfully delivered to the device's charging circuit.
- ✗
The phone's wireless charging coil is damaged
Why it's wrong here
Wireless charging, which uses an inductive coil to transfer power, is a completely separate hardware mechanism from wired charging via the Lightning port. Damage to the phone's wireless charging coil would only impair its ability to charge wirelessly using a compatible charging pad. It would have no impact whatsoever on the functionality of the wired charging system, which relies on direct electrical contact through the Lightning port for power delivery.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 220-1201 question is part of Courseiva's 871-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.