The answer is a software bug or codec issue within the video streaming app itself. Because the Android tablet screen flickers only in one app and remains stable everywhere else, the hardware—including the display panel, GPU, and display cable—is functioning correctly. A hardware failure would cause flickering across the entire operating system, not just within a single application. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate symptoms and avoid the common trap of immediately blaming the screen or graphics processor. The key is to recognize that an issue isolated to one app points to software, not hardware. A helpful memory tip is “One app, one bug”—if only one application triggers the problem, suspect the app’s code or codec compatibility before replacing any physical components.
220-1201 Mobile Device Application Support Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device application support. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 Android tablet's screen flickers when using a specific video streaming app, but the screen is stable in other apps and on the home screen. What hardware component is most likely at fault?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The video streaming app has a software bug or codec issue.
This scenario tests the ability to differentiate between hardware and software issues. Since the flicker only occurs in one app, the hardware (display, GPU) is likely fine. The issue is software-related, such as a codec incompatibility or app bug, not a hardware problem.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 tablet's display panel is failing.
Why it's wrong here
A failing display would cause flickering across all apps and the home screen, not just one app.
✗
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is overheating.
Why it's wrong here
GPU overheating would affect all graphics-intensive tasks, not just a single streaming app.
✓
The video streaming app has a software bug or codec issue.
Why this is correct
App-specific flickering indicates a software problem, such as incompatible video codecs or a bug in the app's rendering engine.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The tablet's battery is swollen and pressing on the display.
Why it's wrong here
A swollen battery would cause physical distortion and likely affect the entire display, not just one app.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Mobile Device Application Support — This question tests Mobile Device Application Support — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The video streaming app has a software bug or codec issue. — This scenario tests the ability to differentiate between hardware and software issues. Since the flicker only occurs in one app, the hardware (display, GPU) is likely fine. The issue is software-related, such as a codec incompatibility or app bug, not a hardware problem.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". 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?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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