The answer is a loose or damaged display cable. When a laptop screen flickers intermittently but stops when you adjust the screen angle, this movement directly stresses the LVDS or eDP ribbon cable that runs through the hinge, making a loose connection or internal wire break the most likely culprit. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between a cable issue and other hardware failures like a failing backlight or inverter, which typically cause persistent dimming rather than angle-dependent flickering. A common trap is to blame the LCD panel itself, but remember that flickering that changes with hinge position almost always points to the cable, not the screen. Memory tip: “Angle change, cable range” — if the flicker follows the hinge, trace it to the cable.
220-1101 Display Devices Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices troubleshooting. 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 screen flickers intermittently, but the flickering stops when they adjust the screen angle. What is the most likely hardware 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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A loose or damaged display cable
Flickering that changes with screen angle is a classic symptom of a damaged or loose display cable (LVDS or eDP ribbon) that connects the screen to the motherboard. This is common in laptops due to hinge wear. The correct answer identifies the cable as the likely culprit.
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.
✗
A failing backlight LED
Why it's wrong here
Backlight failure causes dimness or no light, not flickering that changes with angle.
✗
A defective graphics chip
Why it's wrong here
Graphics chip issues usually cause persistent artifacts or system crashes, not angle-dependent flickering.
✓
A loose or damaged display cable
Why this is correct
Movement of the screen can temporarily reconnect or disconnect the internal ribbon cable, causing intermittent flickering.
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.
✗
Incorrect display refresh rate setting
Why it's wrong here
Refresh rate settings affect all angles equally and would not change with physical movement.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
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.
Display Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Display Devices Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A loose or damaged display cable — Flickering that changes with screen angle is a classic symptom of a damaged or loose display cable (LVDS or eDP ribbon) that connects the screen to the motherboard. This is common in laptops due to hinge wear. The correct answer identifies the cable as the likely culprit.
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.
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Question Discussion
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