hardMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A company deploys a new 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) access…
A company deploys a new 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) access point to support high-density environments. Some older laptops with 802.11ac adapters cannot connect, while newer Wi-Fi 6 laptops work fine. The SSID is broadcast and security is set to WPA2. What is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates might overlook the explicit statement in the stem regarding WPA2 security, or assume that WPA3-only is a common misconfiguration despite the stem's information. The trap is to correctly identify a compatibility issue based on the Wi-Fi standard mode rather than a security protocol mismatch when the security protocol is explicitly stated as compatible.
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 access point is set to 802.11ax-only mode.
If the access point is set to 802.11ax-only mode, older 802.11ac adapters, which are not 802.11ax compliant, will be unable to connect. Newer Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) laptops, however, will connect successfully. This mode setting directly explains why only the newer standard devices can connect while older ones cannot, without contradicting the stated WPA2 security.
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 access point is set to 802.11ax-only mode.
Why this is correct
The access point is configured to operate in 802.11ax-only mode, which disables the 802.11ac compatibility that older laptops require. Wi-Fi 6 access points can restrict operation to ax-only, excluding ac clients entirely. Enabling mixed mode (802.11ax/ac) restores connectivity for the older adapters while retaining Wi-Fi 6 features.
- ✗
The laptops have outdated firmware that does not support OFDMA.
Why it's wrong here
OFDMA is an access-point scheduling technique; an 802.11ac adapter lacks the 802.11ax PHY entirely, so firmware cannot add it, and association would still succeed at a lower rate. It is tempting because firmware genuinely causes wireless faults, and updating it would be correct for stability or security defects.
- ✗
The access point is configured to use WPA3 only.
Why it's wrong here
The stem states security is set to WPA2, so WPA3-only cannot be the cause; WPA2 permits 802.11ac clients to associate. It is tempting because WPA3-only genuinely locks out older adapters, and it would be correct had the access point been configured for WPA3 exclusively.
- ✗
The 5 GHz radio is disabled on the access point.
Why it's wrong here
802.11ac operates on 5 GHz, but if 5 GHz were disabled, ac laptops would not connect, but the scenario says older ac laptops cannot connect while newer ax ones can, implying 5 GHz is active.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Wireless Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3
Key term
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that lets devices like laptops and phones connect to the internet or communicate with each other wirelessly using radio waves.
Key term
WPA2
WPA2 is a security protocol used to protect Wi-Fi networks by encrypting data transmitted between devices and the access point.
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JA
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.