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220-1201 Practice Question: A user complains that their external monitor…
A user complains that their external monitor flickers intermittently when connected via a VGA cable to their laptop. The laptop has a VGA port, and the monitor works fine with another computer. Which connector-related issue is most likely?
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
✓
A bent pin inside the VGA connector is causing poor contact.
VGA connectors have pins that can bend or become loose over time, causing intermittent signal loss. This tests knowledge that VGA is an analog connector susceptible to physical damage and signal degradation.
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 monitor's resolution is set too high for the VGA cable.
Why it's wrong here
High resolutions and refresh rates can indeed strain analog VGA cables, potentially leading to signal degradation like blurring, ghosting, or a generally fuzzy image. However, intermittent flickering is typically a symptom of a poor or unstable physical connection, where the signal is momentarily lost or corrupted, rather than a consistent inability of the cable to transmit the full bandwidth required for a high resolution. Resolution issues usually manifest as consistent display problems, not intermittent flickering.
- ✗
The laptop's VGA port is not providing enough power.
Why it's wrong here
The Video Graphics Array (VGA) standard is purely for analog video signal transmission and does not include pins or circuitry for delivering electrical power to an external monitor. Monitors require their own dedicated power source, usually an AC adapter or power cable connected directly to a wall outlet. Therefore, a lack of power from the laptop's VGA port cannot be the cause of any monitor display issue, including flickering, as the port's function is solely signal transmission.
- ✓
A bent pin inside the VGA connector is causing poor contact.
Why this is correct
VGA connectors utilize multiple pins (typically 15) to transmit individual color signals (Red, Green, Blue), horizontal and vertical synchronization, and ground connections. If even one of these delicate pins is bent, it can prevent proper electrical contact with the corresponding receptacle in the port, leading to an intermittent or complete loss of a specific signal component. This disruption often manifests as flickering, color distortion, or a completely blank screen, as the display struggles to maintain a stable image due to an incomplete signal.
- ✗
The VGA cable is not compatible with the laptop's graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
VGA is a long-established, standardized analog video interface, meaning that any compliant VGA cable should be universally compatible with any VGA port on a laptop's graphics card or an external monitor. True incompatibility would imply a fundamental difference in signal transmission or pinout, which is not the case for standard VGA cables and ports. While a graphics card might lack a VGA port entirely (favoring digital outputs), if a VGA port is present, the cable itself is highly unlikely to be the source of incompatibility causing flickering.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way 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 user complains that their external monitor flickers intermittently. The monitor is connected via a DVI cable to a graphics card that has both DVI-I and DVI-D ports. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the flickering?
medium- ✓ A.The DVI cable is loose or damaged
- B.The graphics card driver is outdated
- C.The monitor's refresh rate is set too high
- D.The DVI port is incompatible with the cable
Why A: A loose or damaged DVI cable is a common cause of intermittent flickering, as poor contact can disrupt the signal. DVI-I and DVI-D are compatible, so port type is less likely the issue. This tests troubleshooting skills for display connection problems.
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.