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220-1201 Practice Question: A user's laptop connects to the office Wi-Fi but…
A user's laptop connects to the office Wi-Fi but cannot access the internet. Other devices on the same network work fine. The laptop's IP address is 169.254.25.14. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse DHCP failure symptoms with DNS failure, but CompTIA A+ specifically tests the APIPA address as a clear indicator of DHCP failure, not DNS or driver issues.
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 not responding or the laptop cannot reach it.
The IP address 169.254.25.14 falls within the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range (169.254.0.0/16), which Windows assigns when a DHCP client fails to receive an IP lease from a DHCP server. Since other devices on the same network work fine, the issue is isolated to this laptop's inability to communicate with the DHCP server, not a network-wide outage. This makes option C correct.
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 DNS server is unreachable.
Why it's wrong here
DNS issues would still show a valid IP address from DHCP, not a 169.254.x.x address.
- ✗
The laptop's wireless adapter driver is corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
A corrupted driver would likely prevent any connection or show no IP at all, not assign an APIPA address.
- ✓
The DHCP server is not responding or the laptop cannot reach it.
Why this is correct
APIPA occurs when DHCP fails; the laptop self-assigns an address in the 169.254.x.x range, indicating no DHCP lease.
- ✗
The SSID is hidden and requires manual entry.
Why it's wrong here
A hidden SSID does not affect DHCP; the laptop would still get an IP after connecting.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
DHCP server
A DHCP server is a network device or service that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
Key term
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that lets devices like laptops and phones connect to the internet or communicate with each other wirelessly using radio waves.
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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.