easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their laptop can connect to the corporate…
A user reports that their laptop can connect to the corporate Wi-Fi but cannot access the internet. Other devices on the same network work fine. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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 DNS server settings are incorrect.
This scenario points to a client-specific configuration problem. Since other devices work, the issue is isolated to the user's laptop, and a misconfigured DNS setting is a common cause for internet access failure while local network connectivity remains intact.
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 wireless router has failed.
Why it's wrong here
If the wireless router had truly failed, no devices would be able to connect to the local network or access the internet through it. Since other devices are functioning correctly and accessing the internet, the router is operational and providing both Wi-Fi and internet gateway services. The problem is isolated to the specific laptop, indicating a client-side configuration or hardware issue rather than a central network device failure.
- ✓
The laptop's DNS server settings are incorrect.
Why this is correct
Incorrect DNS server settings prevent the laptop from resolving human-readable domain names, like 'google.com', into their corresponding IP addresses. While the laptop can still obtain an IP address and communicate with other devices on the local network using their IP addresses, it cannot navigate the internet by name. This specific issue allows local network connectivity but blocks external web browsing, perfectly matching the described symptoms.
- ✗
The network cable is unplugged.
Why it's wrong here
This option is irrelevant because the user's laptop is connecting wirelessly, as indicated by the context of 'connect to 4' (likely a typo for Wi-Fi or wireless network). A network cable is exclusively used for wired Ethernet connections, which are distinct from wireless access. Therefore, the status of a physical cable has no bearing on a wireless connectivity problem, making this an incorrect diagnosis.
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The ISP is down.
Why it's wrong here
If the Internet Service Provider (ISP) were experiencing an outage, no devices connected to that network would be able to access the internet. However, the problem description states that other devices *can* access the internet successfully. This confirms the ISP connection to the premises is active and functional, isolating the issue to the specific laptop rather than the upstream internet service.
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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.