- A
The CPU is not receiving power from the motherboard.
Why wrong: Incorrect; while possible, a more common and easily fixable cause is a misconnected fan header.
- B
The CPU fan is plugged into a chassis fan header instead of the CPU_FAN header.
Correct; if the fan is connected to a chassis header, the CPU may overheat because the system does not monitor its speed, and the fan may not spin at the correct speed for cooling.
- C
The thermal paste has been applied too thickly.
Why wrong: Incorrect; thick thermal paste would still transfer some heat, and the heatsink would be warm, not cool.
- D
The power supply is failing under load.
Why wrong: Incorrect; a failing PSU usually causes random shutdowns at any time, not specifically after 10 minutes, and the heatsink would still be warm.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the CPU fan is plugged into a chassis fan header instead of the CPU_FAN header. This is the most likely cause because the CPU fan is spinning, yet the heatsink feels cool, which means the fan is moving air but the CPU itself is not generating heat—it has already shut down due to overheating. On modern motherboards, the CPU_FAN header is the only header that provides active thermal management for the processor; plugging the fan into a chassis header means the system cannot detect or regulate CPU temperature, so the CPU overheats and triggers a thermal shutdown after about 10 minutes of use. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of motherboard headers and power delivery—a common trap is assuming a spinning fan means proper cooling, but the key clue is the cool heatsink. Remember the memory tip: “If the fan spins but the sink is cool, check the header—CPU_FAN is the rule.”
220-1101 Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of core pc hardware 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 troubleshooting a desktop that shuts down abruptly after 10 minutes of use. The CPU fan is spinning, but the heatsink feels cool to the touch. 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 CPU fan is plugged into a chassis fan header instead of the CPU_FAN header.
A cool heatsink with a spinning fan suggests the CPU is not generating heat because it is not receiving power. This often points to a faulty CPU or motherboard power delivery, but a more common issue is that the CPU fan connector is plugged into the wrong header (e.g., a chassis fan header), causing the CPU to overheat and shut down to protect itself.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 CPU is not receiving power from the motherboard.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; while possible, a more common and easily fixable cause is a misconnected fan header.
- ✓
The CPU fan is plugged into a chassis fan header instead of the CPU_FAN header.
Why this is correct
Correct; if the fan is connected to a chassis header, the CPU may overheat because the system does not monitor its speed, and the fan may not spin at the correct speed for cooling.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The thermal paste has been applied too thickly.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; thick thermal paste would still transfer some heat, and the heatsink would be warm, not cool.
- ✗
The power supply is failing under load.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; a failing PSU usually causes random shutdowns at any time, not specifically after 10 minutes, and the heatsink would still be warm.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting — This question tests Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The CPU fan is plugged into a chassis fan header instead of the CPU_FAN header. — A cool heatsink with a spinning fan suggests the CPU is not generating heat because it is not receiving power. This often points to a faulty CPU or motherboard power delivery, but a more common issue is that the CPU fan connector is plugged into the wrong header (e.g., a chassis fan header), causing the CPU to overheat and shut down to protect itself.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer complains that their PC randomly shuts down after about 30 minutes of use, especially when playing games. The case feels warm to the touch. What should you check first?
easy- A.Replace the power supply
- B.Update the graphics driver
- ✓ C.Check CPU and GPU temperatures
- D.Run a memory diagnostic
Why C: Random shutdowns under load are classic symptoms of overheating. The warm case reinforces this, so checking CPU and GPU temperatures should be the first step to confirm thermal throttling or thermal protection.
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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