- A
The tablet's cellular radio is disabled in the settings.
Why wrong: If the radio were disabled, the tablet would typically show 'Cellular network off' or 'Airplane mode', not 'No SIM card'. The 'No SIM' message indicates the device cannot detect the SIM at all.
- B
The SIM card is not compatible with the tablet's LTE bands.
Why wrong: SIM cards are not band-specific. The SIM contains the subscriber identity; the tablet's radio handles bands. If the SIM is detected, the tablet would attempt to register, even if it fails due to band incompatibility.
- C
The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
This is the most common cause of 'No SIM' on a new device. The SIM tray may not be pushed in all the way, or the SIM is upside down. Re-seating the SIM correctly is the first step.
- D
The tablet requires a software update to enable cellular functionality.
Why wrong: While updates can fix bugs, a missing or incorrect SIM detection is almost always a hardware seating issue. A software update would not cause a 'No SIM' error on a brand-new device.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly. This is the most likely cause because the SIM works in another tablet, which isolates the fault to the tablet itself rather than the card or carrier. When an Android tablet shows "No SIM card" after inserting, the first step is always to verify the SIM is seated properly in its tray, as many tablets require a specific orientation and a firm push until it clicks. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to apply the troubleshooting methodology—specifically, checking the simplest physical connection before assuming hardware failure. A common trap is jumping to a faulty SIM slot or software issue, but the exam emphasizes that insertion errors are far more frequent. Memory tip: "SIM before slot" — always reseat the SIM before blaming the slot.
220-1101 Mobile Devices Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile devices troubleshooting. 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 technician is setting up a new Android tablet for a field sales representative. The tablet needs to connect to the internet via a cellular data plan. The technician inserts a nano-SIM card from the company's carrier, but the tablet shows 'No SIM card' in the status bar. The SIM card works in another tablet. What is the most likely cause?
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 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 SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
If the SIM card works in another device, the issue is with the tablet itself. The most common cause is that the SIM card is not fully seated or is inserted incorrectly. Some tablets use a tray that requires the SIM to be oriented a specific way. A less common cause is a faulty SIM slot, but that should be checked after verifying correct insertion.
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 tablet's cellular radio is disabled in the settings.
Why it's wrong here
If the radio were disabled, the tablet would typically show 'Cellular network off' or 'Airplane mode', not 'No SIM card'. The 'No SIM' message indicates the device cannot detect the SIM at all.
- ✗
The SIM card is not compatible with the tablet's LTE bands.
Why it's wrong here
SIM cards are not band-specific. The SIM contains the subscriber identity; the tablet's radio handles bands. If the SIM is detected, the tablet would attempt to register, even if it fails due to band incompatibility.
- ✓
The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly.
Why this is correct
This is the most common cause of 'No SIM' on a new device. The SIM tray may not be pushed in all the way, or the SIM is upside down. Re-seating the SIM correctly is the first step.
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.
- ✗
The tablet requires a software update to enable cellular functionality.
Why it's wrong here
While updates can fix bugs, a missing or incorrect SIM detection is almost always a hardware seating issue. A software update would not cause a 'No SIM' error on a brand-new device.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
If the radio were disabled, the tablet would typically show 'Cellular network off' or 'Airplane mode', not 'No SIM card'. The 'No SIM' message indicates the device cannot detect the SIM at all.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The SIM card is not fully inserted or is inserted incorrectly. — If the SIM card works in another device, the issue is with the tablet itself. The most common cause is that the SIM card is not fully seated or is inserted incorrectly. Some tablets use a tray that requires the SIM to be oriented a specific way. A less common cause is a faulty SIM slot, but that should be checked after verifying correct insertion.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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