easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: That their smartphone's battery drains very…
A user reports that their smartphone's battery drains very quickly, even when the phone is idle. The phone is less than a year old. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the tendency to blame hardware (battery) or malware for battery drain, but the exam expects candidates to first consider software causes like background apps, which are more common and easily resolved.
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
✓
An app is running in the background and consuming power
When a smartphone battery drains quickly even when idle, the most likely cause is a background app consuming power. Many apps continue running processes, syncing data, or using location services even when the screen is off. This is a common issue that can be diagnosed by checking battery usage statistics. A defective battery is less likely in a phone less than a year old, and high screen brightness only affects battery when the screen is on. Viruses are rare on smartphones and typically cause other symptoms.
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 defective and needs replacement
Why it's wrong here
While a manufacturing defect can cause premature battery failure, it is statistically less probable for a smartphone less than a year old compared to software-related issues. Lithium-ion batteries typically exhibit significant degradation after 2-3 years of heavy use, not usually within the first year unless there's a specific defect. Therefore, investigating software misconfigurations or rogue applications is a more logical initial troubleshooting step.
- ✗
The screen brightness is set too high
Why it's wrong here
Excessive screen brightness is a significant power consumer, but its impact is primarily observed during active device usage. When a smartphone is idle, its display is typically off or at a very low brightness setting, meaning high brightness would not contribute to rapid battery drain during periods of inactivity. This option fails to explain the reported rapid drain when the phone is not actively being used.
- ✓
An app is running in the background and consuming power
Why this is correct
Many applications are designed to run background processes, such as syncing data, fetching notifications, or utilizing location services, even when the user is not actively interacting with them. A poorly optimized or buggy application can get stuck in a loop, constantly requesting CPU cycles, network access, or GPS, leading to substantial power consumption. This continuous background activity can rapidly deplete the battery, even if the phone appears idle.
- ✗
The phone is infected with a virus
Why it's wrong here
While a virus can cause rapid battery drain through background processes or network activity, this scenario specifies the phone is less than a year old and idle. Modern mobile operating systems sandbox applications and restrict background execution, making malware-induced battery drain far less common than a failing lithium-ion battery or a misconfigured app. This option is tempting because malware is widely known for consuming system resources, and it would be the correct choice if the user reported unusual pop-ups, data usage spikes, or unauthorised outbound connections.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their Windows tablet's battery drains quickly even when the device is idle. The technician checks the battery report and finds that the 'System' process is using a high percentage of CPU. What is the most likely cause?
hard- A.The battery is nearing the end of its life and cannot hold a charge
- B.A background app is consuming CPU resources
- ✓ C.A device driver is preventing the tablet from entering a low-power sleep state
- D.The tablet's power plan is set to 'High performance'
Why C: High CPU usage by the 'System' process often indicates a kernel-mode issue, such as a misbehaving device driver or a hardware component constantly requesting attention. In tablets, a common cause is a driver that prevents the device from entering low-power sleep states, leading to constant CPU activity and battery drain.
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.