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220-1201 Practice Question: That their computer is connected to the network…
A user reports that their computer is connected to the network but cannot access any websites. The technician checks the IP configuration and sees an IP address of 169.254.1.5. What does this indicate?
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 DHCP server is unavailable or the computer cannot reach it.
An IP address in the 169.254.x.x range is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned when a DHCP server is unreachable. This means the computer failed to get a valid IP from DHCP, so it cannot communicate beyond the local link.
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 computer has a valid static IP address.
Why it's wrong here
An APIPA address (169.254.x.x) is automatically assigned by the operating system when a DHCP server is not found, indicating a failure to obtain a dynamic IP. A valid static IP address would be manually configured by an administrator and would typically be within a routable subnet, not the APIPA range. Therefore, the presence of an APIPA address points to an automatic assignment due to DHCP failure, not a valid static configuration.
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The DNS server is not responding.
Why it's wrong here
If only the DNS server were unresponsive, the computer would still successfully obtain a routable IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway from the DHCP server. The primary symptom would be an inability to resolve hostnames to IP addresses, not the assignment of an APIPA address. An APIPA address specifically indicates a failure in obtaining any IP configuration from a DHCP server, which precedes DNS resolution issues.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unavailable or the computer cannot reach it.
Why this is correct
Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) is a mechanism where a network interface automatically assigns itself an IP address in the 169.254.0.0/16 range when it cannot contact a DHCP server. This self-assigned address is non-routable and only allows communication with other devices on the same local segment that also have APIPA addresses. Consequently, without a valid, routable IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway from a DHCP server, the computer cannot access the internet or other network resources beyond its immediate local link.
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The network cable is unplugged.
Why it's wrong here
If the network cable were physically unplugged or had a faulty connection, the network adapter would typically report a 'network cable unplugged' status or show no link light. In such a state, the operating system would not even attempt to obtain an IP address via DHCP, nor would it self-assign an APIPA address, because there is no physical link detected to communicate over. An APIPA address implies that a physical link exists, but no DHCP server responded.
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Related to this question
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Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing
A fallback method used by a device to automatically assign itself an IP address when it cannot obtain one from a DHCP server.
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.