easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their smartphone can…
A customer reports that their smartphone can connect to Wi-Fi at home but fails to connect to the company's 5 GHz Wi-Fi network in the office. Other devices connect fine. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common misconception on the CompTIA A+ exam is that a device failing to connect to a 5 GHz network while working on 2.4 GHz must be a hardware or driver problem, when in reality the most common cause is the shorter range of 5 GHz and the client being too far from the access point.
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 smartphone is too far from the office access point for 5 GHz.
The smartphone connects to Wi-Fi at home but fails on the company's 5 GHz network, while other devices connect fine. This points to a client-side range issue: 5 GHz signals have higher attenuation and shorter effective range than 2.4 GHz, so if the smartphone is too far from the office access point, it may detect the network but be unable to maintain a stable connection, whereas other devices closer to the AP connect successfully.
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 smartphone's Wi-Fi antenna is damaged.
Why it's wrong here
If the antenna were damaged, the phone would likely fail on all Wi-Fi networks, not just the 5 GHz one at the office.
- ✗
The office access point is configured for 2.4 GHz only.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario says other devices connect fine, so the access point is broadcasting 5 GHz. The issue is specific to the customer's device location.
- ✓
The smartphone is too far from the office access point for 5 GHz.
Why this is correct
5 GHz has shorter range and lower penetration through obstacles. The customer may be in a location where the 5 GHz signal is too weak, while 2.4 GHz still works.
- ✗
The smartphone's Wi-Fi driver needs updating.
Why it's wrong here
A driver issue would likely cause problems on all Wi-Fi networks, not just the 5 GHz band at the office.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Access Point
An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network, usually by connecting to a wired network and broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal for computers, phones, and tablets to join.
Key term
Smartphone
A smartphone is a handheld mobile device that combines cellular communication with computing capabilities, running an operating system that supports third-party applications, internet connectivity, and a touchscreen interface.
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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.