easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: That their laptop can connect to the internet via…
A user reports that their laptop can connect to the internet via Ethernet but cannot connect to any Wi-Fi networks. The wireless adapter is enabled and shows available networks, but connecting always fails. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the distinction between 'adapter can't see networks' (driver/hardware) versus 'adapter sees networks but can't connect' (security/authentication) — candidates who pick driver corruption miss that the adapter is clearly functional.
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 wireless security settings are incorrect.
When a wireless adapter is enabled and can see available networks but every connection attempt fails, the most likely cause is a mismatch in wireless security settings — such as an incorrect WPA2/WPA3 passphrase, wrong encryption type (TKIP vs AES), or mismatched authentication method. The adapter and driver are functioning (networks are visible), and Ethernet works, ruling out broader network issues.
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 DHCP server is out of IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
If the DHCP server were truly exhausted, the laptop would fail to obtain an IP address for any interface configured for DHCP, including the wired Ethernet connection. Since the user can connect via Ethernet, the DHCP server is demonstrably functioning and assigning IP addresses. This indicates the issue is specific to the wireless connection's ability to request or receive an IP, not the server's overall capacity.
- ✗
The wireless adapter driver is corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
A corrupted or faulty wireless adapter driver typically manifests as the adapter not being recognized by the operating system, failing to initialize, or being unable to detect any wireless networks whatsoever. The fact that the user can see available networks indicates the driver is at least functional enough to scan for and identify SSIDs, making a fundamental driver corruption unlikely to be the root cause of connection failure.
- ✓
The wireless security settings are incorrect.
Why this is correct
When a user can see available wireless networks but consistently fails to establish a connection, it strongly suggests a mismatch in the security parameters. This includes an incorrect pre-shared key (password), an incompatible encryption type (e.g., WPA2 vs. WPA3), or an incorrect authentication method. The wireless adapter successfully identifies the network's SSID but cannot complete the authentication handshake required to join the network and obtain an IP address.
- ✗
The router’s SSID is hidden.
Why it's wrong here
If a router's Service Set Identifier (SSID) is configured to be hidden (broadcast disabled), the network name will not appear in the list of available wireless networks that the laptop's adapter detects. To connect to a hidden network, the user must manually enter the SSID and security information. Since the user *sees* available networks, including presumably the target network, the SSID cannot be hidden.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Troubleshoot: Wireless Connectivity Issues
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
Key term
WPA2
WPA2 is a security protocol used to protect Wi-Fi networks by encrypting data transmitted between devices and the access point.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 871 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 and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.