APIPA Address DHCP Server Unavailable
A user reports that their laptop cannot access the internet but can still access shared files on the local network. The technician runs ipconfig and sees an IP address of 169.254.15.32. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the DHCP server is unavailable. When a Windows client cannot contact a DHCP server to obtain a valid IP lease, it automatically self-assigns an APIPA address in the 169.254.x.x range, as seen with 169.254.15.32. This APIPA address allows local network communication—explaining why the user can still access shared files—but prevents internet access because the address is not routable beyond the subnet. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the DHCP process and APIPA as a fallback mechanism; a common trap is assuming the network cable is faulty when local resources are still reachable. Remember the memory tip: “169.254 means DHCP is no more.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse APIPA with a DNS or gateway issue, but the 169.254.x.x address is a definitive indicator of DHCP failure, not a misconfiguration of other network parameters.
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 unavailable
The IP address 169.254.15.32 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when a DHCP server is unavailable and the client fails to obtain a lease. Since the laptop can still access local shared files, the local network is functional, but without a valid DHCP-assigned IP, it cannot reach external networks or the internet. This directly points to the DHCP server being unavailable.
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 not responding
Why it's wrong here
A DNS failure would prevent name resolution but the workstation would still have a valid IP address (not an APIPA address) and could access resources by IP address. The APIPA address indicates a more fundamental IP configuration problem.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unavailable
Why this is correct
When a DHCP server cannot be reached, Windows automatically assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range. This allows local network communication but not internet access because there is no default gateway or DNS server assigned.
- ✗
The default gateway is misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
A misconfigured gateway would still result in a valid IP address from DHCP, but the laptop would be unable to reach networks outside its subnet. The APIPA address indicates no DHCP response was received at all.
- ✗
The subnet mask is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect subnet mask would not produce a 169.254 address; that APIPA range appears when DHCP is unreachable, so the host self-assigns. Subnet mask errors cause partial or failed local communication while a valid DHCP lease still supplies a routable address, which is when checking the mask would be the right step.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on 220-1101
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their workstation cannot access the internet or any network resources. The technician runs ipconfig and sees the IP address 169.254.10.55 with subnet mask 255.255.0.0. The Ethernet link lights are solid on both the NIC and the switch port. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
easy- A.The DNS server is unreachable
- ✓ B.DHCP server is unavailable
- C.The default gateway is misconfigured
- D.The network cable is faulty
Why B: The IP address 169.254.10.55 with subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP server is unavailable. Since the link lights are solid, the physical layer is functional, but the workstation cannot obtain a valid IP address, indicating the most likely cause is a DHCP server failure or misconfiguration.
Variation 2. A user reports that their workstation cannot access the internet. The technician runs ipconfig and sees that the workstation has an IP address of 169.254.23.45 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. The technician checks the network cable and link lights; they are normal. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
easy- A.The Ethernet cable is faulty
- ✓ B.The DHCP server is not responding
- C.The DNS server is misconfigured
- D.The default gateway is incorrect
Why B: The IP address 169.254.23.45 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when a DHCP server cannot be reached. Since the link lights are normal and the cable is not faulty, the most likely cause is that the DHCP server is not responding, preventing the workstation from obtaining a valid IP address.
Variation 3. A user reports that they cannot access the internet, but they can still access shared folders on the local network. The technician runs ipconfig on the workstation and sees an IP address of 169.254.10.15 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
easy- A.The DNS server is not responding
- B.The default gateway address is incorrect
- ✓ C.The DHCP server is unavailable
- D.The workstation has a static IP address configured
Why C: The IP address 169.254.10.15 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, which Windows assigns when a DHCP server is unavailable or fails to respond. Since the user can still access local shared folders (local link-layer communication works), but cannot reach the internet, the core issue is the lack of a valid DHCP lease, not a DNS or gateway misconfiguration.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.