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220-1201 Practice Question: That their smartphone's charging port is loose…
A user reports that their smartphone's charging port is loose and the cable falls out easily, making it difficult to charge. The technician inspects the port and sees no visible debris. What is the most likely cause and the appropriate repair?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between a cable defect and a port defect by describing a physical symptom (loose fit) that cannot be caused by a cable issue, leading candidates to incorrectly choose 'replace the cable' when the port is the actual failure point.
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 charging port has worn-out pins; replace the charging port assembly.
The user reports a loose physical connection with no visible debris, which points to mechanical wear of the port's internal retention mechanism (e.g., the spring-loaded pins or the port's latch). Since the cable falls out easily, the most likely cause is worn-out pins inside the charging port assembly, and the appropriate repair is to replace the entire charging port assembly, as individual pins cannot be serviced separately.
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 charging cable is defective; replace the cable.
Why it's wrong here
A defective charging cable typically manifests as intermittent charging, no charging at all, or physical damage to the cable itself, not necessarily a loose fit within the port. If the cable fits snugly and charges other devices correctly, the issue is highly unlikely to be the cable. The symptom of the cable falling out easily strongly suggests a physical wear issue with the port's internal retention mechanism or worn-out pins, rather than a faulty cable.
- ✓
The charging port has worn-out pins; replace the charging port assembly.
Why this is correct
Over time, the internal pins and retention clips within a smartphone's charging port can wear down due to repeated insertion and removal of the charging cable. This wear leads to a loose connection, causing the cable to fall out easily and resulting in unreliable or non-existent charging. Replacing the entire charging port assembly, which often includes the flex cable, ensures that new, unworn pins and a secure physical connection are restored, resolving the issue effectively.
- ✗
Use compressed air to blow out the port.
Why it's wrong here
Using compressed air is an appropriate troubleshooting step for clearing dust, lint, or other foreign debris that might obstruct the charging connection or prevent the cable from fully seating. However, if a visual inspection confirms the absence of debris and the problem is a physically loose connection where the cable falls out easily, compressed air will not address the underlying mechanical wear of the port's internal components or pins. The issue is structural, not an obstruction.
- ✗
Apply a small amount of super glue to the port to tighten it.
Why it's wrong here
Applying super glue to a charging port is an extremely destructive and irreversible "fix" that will cause permanent damage to the device. It will not repair worn pins or a loose retention mechanism; instead, it will likely bond the charging cable permanently to the port, render the port unusable, and potentially damage the device's internal circuitry if the glue seeps inside. This method is never a valid or recommended repair technique for electronic components.
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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.