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220-1201 Practice Question: During a repair, you accidentally dislodged a…
During a repair, you accidentally dislodged a small ribbon cable connecting the volume button flex to the mainboard of a smartphone. Now the volume buttons don't work. What is the most likely result of this mistake?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that a single ribbon cable controls multiple unrelated functions, leading candidates to incorrectly assume a dislodged volume button cable would affect the speaker or power-on sequence.
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 volume buttons become unresponsive.
The volume button flex cable directly connects the physical volume buttons to the mainboard. Dislodging this cable interrupts the electrical circuit that carries the button press signal, so the buttons become unresponsive. This is a direct physical disconnection, not a software or power issue.
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 phone won't power on.
Why it's wrong here
Dislodging the volume button flex cable typically does not prevent the phone from powering on. The power button functionality is controlled by a distinct flex cable, often integrated with other components like the microphone or charging port, but separate from the volume controls. Therefore, a disconnected volume ribbon would not interrupt the power-on sequence or the power button's electrical circuit.
- ✗
The touchscreen becomes unresponsive.
Why it's wrong here
The touchscreen's responsiveness is governed by a dedicated flex cable that connects directly to the display assembly and then to the device's main logic board. This critical connection transmits touch input data. Dislodging the volume button flex cable, which is a separate component responsible solely for physical button input, would not interfere with the touchscreen's electrical pathways or its ability to register user interaction.
- ✓
The volume buttons become unresponsive.
Why this is correct
Dislodging the small ribbon cable, which is specifically the volume button flex cable, directly severs the electrical connection between the physical volume buttons and the device's logic board. This interruption prevents the electrical signals generated by pressing the buttons from reaching the system. Consequently, the operating system cannot register these inputs, rendering the volume controls completely unresponsive.
- ✗
The speaker stops producing sound.
Why it's wrong here
The device's internal speaker, responsible for audio output, connects to the logic board via its own dedicated flex cable or direct soldered connections. Audio signals are processed and routed through specific audio circuitry, entirely separate from the volume button input mechanism. Therefore, dislodging the volume button flex cable would not interrupt the speaker's electrical path or its ability to produce sound.
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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.