The answer is the laptop’s HDMI port. This is correct because the flickering issue persists even after swapping both the HDMI cable and the external monitor, which isolates the fault to the laptop’s output hardware. Since the laptop’s built-in display works fine, the problem is not with the graphics card or drivers, but with the physical HDMI port itself—likely a loose connection, bent pin, or damaged solder joint. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to use process of elimination to isolate a faulty display output port, a common troubleshooting step in the 2.0 Networking and 3.0 Hardware domains. A frequent trap is assuming the cable or monitor is always the culprit, but the key clue is that the flicker follows the laptop, not the peripherals. Remember the mnemonic: “Swap the cable, swap the screen, if it still flickers, the port’s the fiend.”
220-1101 Display Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. 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 customer reports that their external monitor connected via HDMI flickers intermittently. They have tried a different HDMI cable and a different monitor, but the issue persists. The laptop display works fine. Which component is most likely causing the problem?
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 laptop's HDMI port
The HDMI port on the laptop is the most likely cause because the issue follows the laptop, not the cable or monitor. This tests the ability to isolate a faulty display output port through process of elimination.
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 laptop's graphics driver
Why it's wrong here
A graphics driver issue would typically affect both the internal display and external monitor, not just one.
✗
The HDMI cable
Why it's wrong here
The customer already tried a different cable, so the cable is not the cause.
✗
The external monitor
Why it's wrong here
The customer tried a different monitor with the same result, ruling out the monitor.
✓
The laptop's HDMI port
Why this is correct
Since the internal display works and swapping cable/monitor didn't help, the HDMI port is the remaining variable.
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.
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.
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop's HDMI port — The HDMI port on the laptop is the most likely cause because the issue follows the laptop, not the cable or monitor. This tests the ability to isolate a faulty display output port through process of elimination.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.