easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their wireless printer…
A customer reports that their wireless printer stops responding when the microwave is in use. The printer is connected via Wi-Fi to a dual-band router. Which troubleshooting step should the technician take first to resolve this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume changing the 2.4 GHz channel (Option B) will solve the interference, but they overlook that microwave interference is broadband and affects all 2.4 GHz channels, making frequency migration to 5 GHz the only effective first step.
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
✓
Connect the printer to the 5 GHz network
The microwave oven operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, generating broadband interference that disrupts Wi-Fi communication on that frequency. Connecting the printer to the 5 GHz network avoids this interference entirely because the 5 GHz band is not affected by microwave emissions, providing a clean channel for the printer.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the printer with a wired model
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the wireless printer with a wired model is an extreme and costly measure that bypasses the problem rather than resolving the underlying wireless interference issue. While a wired connection would indeed eliminate wireless disconnections, it represents a significant, unnecessary expense and effort when more targeted, less intrusive troubleshooting steps, such as adjusting wireless settings, should be attempted first to restore the existing printer's functionality.
- ✗
Change the router’s 2.4 GHz channel
Why it's wrong here
Changing the 2.4 GHz channel might mitigate interference from other Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices, but it is often ineffective against microwave oven interference. Microwave ovens typically operate around 2.45 GHz, which causes broadband electromagnetic interference across the entire 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum, impacting all channels (1-11/13) simultaneously. Therefore, simply shifting to another channel within the same band is unlikely to provide a stable, long-term solution against such a pervasive source of disruption.
- ✓
Connect the printer to the 5 GHz network
Why this is correct
Connecting the printer to the 5 GHz network is the most effective solution because the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band operates on a completely different frequency spectrum than microwave ovens. Microwave ovens emit electromagnetic radiation at approximately 2.45 GHz, directly interfering with the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band. Since the 5 GHz band utilizes frequencies ranging from 5.150 to 5.825 GHz, it is entirely unaffected by the emissions from a microwave oven, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted connection for the printer.
- ✗
Update the printer firmware
Why it's wrong here
Updating the printer firmware is highly unlikely to resolve disconnections caused by microwave interference, as this issue is physical and environmental, not software-related. Firmware updates typically address internal software bugs, improve device performance, or add new features, but they cannot alter a device's fundamental radio frequency (RF) susceptibility to external electromagnetic interference. The problem stems from a conflict in radio wave frequencies, which a software patch cannot rectify.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Router
A router is a networking device that connects different networks together and directs data traffic between them by choosing the best path for data to travel.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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