easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their new laptop cannot…
A customer reports that their new laptop cannot connect to the internet at a coffee shop, but their smartphone works fine. The technician checks the laptop's network settings and sees the Wi-Fi adapter is enabled and connected to the correct SSID. Which protocol is most likely not configured correctly on the laptop?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between 'connected to the Wi-Fi' (Layer 2 association) and 'having internet access' (Layer 3 IP configuration), leading candidates to mistakenly focus on DNS or HTTP when the real issue is DHCP failing to provide a valid IP address.
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
✓
DHCP
The laptop is connected to the Wi-Fi network (SSID) and the adapter is enabled, but it cannot access the internet. This indicates the laptop likely failed to obtain an IP address and other network configuration parameters from the coffee shop's router. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is responsible for automatically assigning an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. If DHCP is misconfigured or the laptop's DHCP client is disabled or not functioning, the device will not receive a valid IP address and thus cannot route traffic to the internet, even though the Wi-Fi link is established.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for translating human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses. However, DNS operates at the application layer and fundamentally relies on the device having a valid IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway to even send a query to a DNS server. If a new laptop cannot connect at all, it indicates a lack of basic network configuration, rendering DNS resolution impossible because the device cannot communicate on the network.
- ✓
DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is critical for automatically assigning the necessary IP configuration to network devices, including an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. For a new laptop, if its DHCP client is disabled, misconfigured, or if the DHCP server is unavailable, the laptop will fail to obtain a usable IP address. This lack of fundamental network configuration directly prevents the laptop from establishing any network connectivity.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is an application layer protocol primarily used for accessing web pages and other resources on the World Wide Web. It functions much higher in the network stack than basic connectivity protocols and absolutely requires a fully functional network connection, including a valid IP address and the ability to resolve domain names via DNS, to operate. If the laptop cannot connect at all, the issue lies at a lower layer, long before HTTP would even attempt communication.
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to resolve an IP address to its corresponding physical MAC address on the local network segment. This process allows devices to communicate directly at Layer 2 once they already possess valid IP addresses. While essential for local network communication, ARP does not provide or assign IP addresses or any other network configuration. A laptop that cannot connect likely lacks an IP address to begin with, making ARP's function irrelevant to the initial connectivity problem.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
Laptop
A portable personal computer that integrates a display, keyboard, touchpad, battery, and internal components into a single clamshell device for mobile computing.
Key term
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHCP is a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other configuration settings to devices so they can communicate on a network.
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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.