hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a wireless…
A technician is troubleshooting a wireless network where users report intermittent connectivity and slow speeds. A spectrum analyzer shows high noise levels on the 2.4 GHz band from non-Wi-Fi sources. Which of the following is the MOST effective long-term solution?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that reducing channel width or increasing power can overcome interference, when in fact the most effective long-term solution is to move clients to a less congested frequency band.
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
✓
Move all critical devices to the 5 GHz band.
The 5 GHz band has significantly more non-overlapping channels and is far less congested by non-Wi-Fi interference (e.g., microwaves, Bluetooth, cordless phones) than the 2.4 GHz band. Moving critical devices to 5 GHz avoids the interference source entirely, providing a stable long-term solution without compromising throughput or reliability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reduce the 2.4 GHz channel width to 20 MHz.
Why it's wrong here
Reducing the 2.4 GHz channel width to 20 MHz primarily aims to minimize co-channel or adjacent-channel interference from other Wi-Fi networks. While it can improve stability in congested Wi-Fi environments by using narrower frequency bands, it does not mitigate interference originating from non-Wi-Fi sources like microwaves, cordless phones, or Bluetooth devices, which operate across broader portions of the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Furthermore, this reduction in channel width inherently limits the maximum achievable data throughput for connected devices.
- ✗
Implement DFS channels on the 5 GHz band.
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) channels are a regulatory requirement for certain 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies to prevent interference with radar systems, such as weather or military radar. While implementing DFS channels on the 5 GHz band helps avoid radar detection and ensures compliance, it has absolutely no impact on troubleshooting interference issues occurring within the 2.4 GHz band. The problem statement implies a 2.4 GHz issue, making this solution irrelevant to the core problem.
- ✓
Move all critical devices to the 5 GHz band.
Why this is correct
Moving critical devices to the 5 GHz band is an effective solution because this frequency spectrum is significantly less susceptible to interference from common non-Wi-Fi sources like microwave ovens, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices, which predominantly operate in the 2.4 GHz band. The 5 GHz band also offers more non-overlapping channels, leading to less congestion from neighboring Wi-Fi networks and generally higher potential throughput, providing a more stable and reliable connection for essential devices.
- ✗
Increase the transmit power on the 2.4 GHz radio.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the transmit power on the 2.4 GHz radio might seem like a way to "shout over" existing interference, potentially improving signal strength for distant devices. However, this approach often exacerbates the problem by increasing co-channel interference for other Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity and can lead to client devices "sticking" to a weaker, distant access point. Crucially, it does not eliminate the underlying source of non-Wi-Fi noise, merely attempting to overpower it, which is an inefficient and often counterproductive strategy.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Mobile Device Connectivity
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.
Key term
Throughput
Throughput is the rate at which data is successfully transferred from one point to another over a network, typically measured in bits per second.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 972 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.