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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is installing a new…
A technician is installing a new network-connected laser printer in a conference room. After connecting the Ethernet cable and power, the printer's control panel shows an IP address of 169.254.3.18. What is the most likely issue?
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 printer's Ethernet cable is faulty or not connected properly.
An IP address starting with 169.254 indicates the printer failed to obtain an address from a DHCP server and assigned itself an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address. The network connection or DHCP server should be checked.
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 printer is configured with a static IP address.
Why it's wrong here
If a printer were configured with a valid static IP address, it would not fall into the 169.254.x.x APIPA range. APIPA addresses are self-assigned when a device is configured for DHCP but cannot reach a DHCP server. While it's technically possible to manually assign an APIPA range IP as static, this is highly unconventional and would not be the default behavior or a typical configuration choice for a functioning network. Therefore, a static IP configuration, if properly set, would preclude APIPA.
- ✓
The printer's Ethernet cable is faulty or not connected properly.
Why this is correct
A faulty or improperly connected Ethernet cable directly prevents the printer from establishing a physical layer connection to the network. Without this fundamental link, the printer cannot communicate with a DHCP server to obtain an IP address. Consequently, the device will self-assign an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address in the 169.254.0.0/16 range, indicating a local network connectivity failure. This is a primary cause for a device to resort to APIPA.
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The printer's toner cartridge is empty.
Why it's wrong here
An empty toner cartridge is a consumable supply issue that prevents the printer from performing its primary function of printing documents. However, the toner level has absolutely no bearing on the printer's ability to establish a network connection, communicate with a DHCP server, or obtain an IP address. Network connectivity and IP assignment are functions of the network interface card and TCP/IP stack, entirely separate from the printing mechanism's consumables.
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The printer's firmware needs to be updated.
Why it's wrong here
While outdated firmware can sometimes lead to various operational issues or security vulnerabilities, it is highly improbable to be the direct cause of a device failing to obtain a DHCP address and resorting to APIPA. The process of acquiring an IP address via DHCP is a fundamental network function typically stable across most firmware versions. An APIPA address specifically points to a physical or logical network connectivity problem, not an internal software bug that a firmware update would resolve.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
IP address
An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
Key term
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) automatically assigns IP addresses and network settings to devices on a network, so they can communicate without manual configuration.
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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.