- A
The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is disabled in BIOS.
Why wrong: While possible, it is less likely than a cable issue because the eGPU works on another laptop, suggesting the laptop's port is functional.
- B
The cable used is a passive USB-C cable, not an active Thunderbolt 4 cable.
Thunderbolt 4 requires active cables for full bandwidth and PCIe tunneling; a passive USB-C cable may not support eGPU connectivity.
- C
The eGPU requires a Thunderbolt 3 port, not Thunderbolt 4.
Why wrong: Thunderbolt 4 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, so this should not be an issue.
- D
The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is not providing enough power.
Why wrong: Thunderbolt 4 ports provide up to 100W, but eGPUs typically have their own power supply, so power is not the issue.
Quick Answer
The answer is a passive USB-C cable instead of an active Thunderbolt 4 cable. This is the most likely cause because Thunderbolt 4 requires an active cable to carry the full PCIe signal needed for eGPU operation; a passive USB-C cable lacks the necessary signal amplification and may only support data or power, not the high-bandwidth PCIe tunneling. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Thunderbolt cable specifications and the critical difference between passive and active cables—a common trap is assuming any USB-C cable works for Thunderbolt. Remember that passive cables are fine for charging or USB 3.x data, but for Thunderbolt 4 eGPU connectivity, you must use an active cable. A helpful memory tip: “Active for acceleration, passive for power and pass-through.”
220-1201 Connectors Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of connectors. 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 new Thunderbolt 4 external GPU (eGPU) is not recognized by their laptop, which has a Thunderbolt 4 port. The eGPU works on another laptop. Which connector-related issue is most likely?
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 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 cable used is a passive USB-C cable, not an active Thunderbolt 4 cable.
The correct answer is B because Thunderbolt 4 requires an active cable for full functionality, and a passive USB-C cable may not carry the PCIe signal needed for eGPU operation. This tests understanding of Thunderbolt cable requirements and the difference between passive and active cables.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 Thunderbolt 4 port is disabled in BIOS.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, it is less likely than a cable issue because the eGPU works on another laptop, suggesting the laptop's port is functional.
- ✓
The cable used is a passive USB-C cable, not an active Thunderbolt 4 cable.
Why this is correct
Thunderbolt 4 requires active cables for full bandwidth and PCIe tunneling; a passive USB-C cable may not support eGPU connectivity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The eGPU requires a Thunderbolt 3 port, not Thunderbolt 4.
Why it's wrong here
Thunderbolt 4 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, so this should not be an issue.
- ✗
The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is not providing enough power.
Why it's wrong here
Thunderbolt 4 ports provide up to 100W, but eGPUs typically have their own power supply, so power is not the issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Connectors — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Connectors practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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All 220-1201 questions
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CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
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220-1201 practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Connectors — This question tests Connectors — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cable used is a passive USB-C cable, not an active Thunderbolt 4 cable. — The correct answer is B because Thunderbolt 4 requires an active cable for full functionality, and a passive USB-C cable may not carry the PCIe signal needed for eGPU operation. This tests understanding of Thunderbolt cable requirements and the difference between passive and active cables.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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