- A
The laptop's Wi-Fi adapter is disabled in Device Manager.
Why wrong: If the adapter were disabled, the laptop would not have any IP address assigned, not an APIPA address.
- B
The office DHCP server is out of available IP addresses.
Why wrong: An exhausted DHCP scope would cause the server to not respond, but the client would still attempt DHCP and eventually fall back to APIPA. However, the most common cause is the DHCP server being unreachable, not necessarily exhausted.
- C
The laptop cannot reach the DHCP server on the office network.
APIPA is assigned when a DHCP server is not reachable, so the laptop cannot obtain a valid IP. This is the most direct explanation.
- D
The laptop's DNS settings are misconfigured.
Why wrong: DNS misconfiguration would not cause an APIPA address; it would affect name resolution after a valid IP is obtained.
220-1101 IP Addressing Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of ip addressing. 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 user reports that their laptop can connect to the internet when using a wired connection at home, but cannot connect to any network resources when using Wi-Fi at the office. The office uses DHCP with a scope of 192.168.10.0/24. The laptop's IP configuration shows an address of 169.254.15.22. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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 laptop cannot reach the DHCP server on the office network.
The address 169.254.x.x is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned when a DHCP server is unreachable. This indicates the laptop failed to obtain a valid IP from the office DHCP server, likely due to a connectivity or server issue.
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 laptop's Wi-Fi adapter is disabled in Device Manager.
Why it's wrong here
If the adapter were disabled, the laptop would not have any IP address assigned, not an APIPA address.
- ✗
The office DHCP server is out of available IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
An exhausted DHCP scope would cause the server to not respond, but the client would still attempt DHCP and eventually fall back to APIPA. However, the most common cause is the DHCP server being unreachable, not necessarily exhausted.
- ✓
The laptop cannot reach the DHCP server on the office network.
Why this is correct
APIPA is assigned when a DHCP server is not reachable, so the laptop cannot obtain a valid IP. This is the most direct explanation.
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 laptop's DNS settings are misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
DNS misconfiguration would not cause an APIPA address; it would affect name resolution after a valid IP is obtained.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
IP Addressing — This question tests IP Addressing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop cannot reach the DHCP server on the office network. — The address 169.254.x.x is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned when a DHCP server is unreachable. This indicates the laptop failed to obtain a valid IP from the office DHCP server, likely due to a connectivity or server issue.
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
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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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