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220-1201 Practice Question: That their new Bluetooth headset pairs with their…
A user reports that their new Bluetooth headset pairs with their smartphone but no audio is heard during calls. The headset works fine with another phone. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between Bluetooth profiles (HFP/HSP vs. A2DP) to trap candidates who assume that successful pairing guarantees all audio functions will work.
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 phone is not using the correct Bluetooth profile for calls.
The most likely cause is that the phone is not using the correct Bluetooth profile for calls. Bluetooth headsets require the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) or Headset Profile (HSP) for bidirectional audio during calls. If the phone defaults to the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for media streaming instead, audio will not route through the headset for calls. Since the headset works with another phone, the issue is specific to the phone's profile selection or configuration.
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 headset battery is low.
Why it's wrong here
A low battery in the Bluetooth headset would typically manifest as intermittent audio, dropped connections, or complete failure to power on. Since the user reports the headset functions correctly when paired with a different phone, this indicates the headset itself has sufficient power and is operational. Therefore, the battery level is not the root cause of the audio issue with the primary phone, as the problem is device-specific.
- ✓
The phone is not using the correct Bluetooth profile for calls.
Why this is correct
Bluetooth headsets often utilize distinct profiles for different functions, such as A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality stereo music streaming and HSP/HFP (Headset Profile/Hands-Free Profile) for monaural audio during phone calls. If the phone successfully connects for media but fails to activate or switch to the appropriate HSP/HFP profile when a call is initiated, call audio will not be routed to the headset, even if the headset is otherwise connected. This scenario precisely explains why media might play but calls have no audio.
- ✗
The headset is out of Bluetooth range.
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth connections operate within a limited range, typically up to 10 meters (Class 2) for most consumer devices. If the headset were out of range, the Bluetooth connection would either fail to establish entirely or drop completely and repeatedly, resulting in no audio whatsoever, not just a specific absence of call audio while other functions might appear connected. The ability to connect and play media suggests the devices are within an acceptable operating distance.
- ✗
The phone's Bluetooth radio is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty Bluetooth radio within the phone would prevent any successful pairing or connection attempts with the headset, or result in extremely unstable connections. Since the headset can successfully pair with the phone and potentially even play media, this indicates the phone's Bluetooth radio hardware is functional and capable of establishing a basic connection. The problem is more granular, pointing to a software or configuration issue related to audio profiles rather than a hardware failure of the radio itself.
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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.