The answer is that the user is at the edge of the 5 GHz coverage area. This is the most likely cause because 5 GHz signals have a shorter effective range and are more easily obstructed by walls and furniture than 2.4 GHz signals, leading to intermittent drops when the device is near the boundary of that coverage. When the signal weakens to a threshold, the connection can fail every few minutes, but it reconnects immediately as the device briefly re-establishes a weak link. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless frequency characteristics and troubleshooting weak signal issues, often appearing as a trap where test-takers mistakenly blame channel interference or driver problems. A common memory tip is to remember that 5 GHz is “fast but short,” while 2.4 GHz is “slow but far”—so if a Wi-Fi drops every 10 minutes on 5 GHz, think range, not interference.
220-1201 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 user reports that their laptop's Wi-Fi connection drops every 10 minutes, but reconnects immediately. The technician notices that the laptop is connected to a 5 GHz SSID. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user is at the edge of the 5 GHz coverage area.
5 GHz signals have shorter range and are more easily obstructed. If the user is at the edge of coverage, the signal may intermittently drop. The periodic nature suggests a weak signal, not interference or driver issues.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 laptop's Wi-Fi driver is outdated.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect—driver issues typically cause persistent problems, not timed drops every 10 minutes.
✗
The access point is configured with a short DHCP lease time.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect—DHCP lease renewal does not cause disconnection; it happens in the background.
✓
The user is at the edge of the 5 GHz coverage area.
Why this is correct
Correct—5 GHz has limited range; periodic drops indicate signal strength fluctuations near the coverage boundary.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Incorrect—microwave ovens operate at 2.4 GHz, not 5 GHz, so they would not cause drops on a 5 GHz network.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1201 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Network Troubleshooting — This question tests Network Troubleshooting — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user is at the edge of the 5 GHz coverage area. — 5 GHz signals have shorter range and are more easily obstructed. If the user is at the edge of coverage, the signal may intermittently drop. The periodic nature suggests a weak signal, not interference or driver issues.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1201 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "immediately / without restart". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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