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220-1201 · domain

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

This domain covers diagnosing and resolving hardware and network faults on desktops, laptops, printers, and small networks — roughly 28% of Core 1. Questions are scenario-based: you get a symptom, a short list of components or tools, and must pick the cause or the correct next step, including power, storage, printing, and connectivity problems.

6 questions2 easy4 medium
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Focused practice

Practice Hardware and Network Troubleshooting questions

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What this domain covers

What to know about Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

Be able to read a symptom, name the failing subsystem, and pick the least-invasive fix first. For power, storage, printing, and PoE scenarios, verify compatibility and capacity before swapping hardware, and confirm the motherboard or switch actually supports the feature you recommend.

Power delivery faults: undersized or failing PSUs, wattage versus GPU load, and POST/beep diagnostics

Storage upgrades and failures: M.2 NVMe versus SATA SSDs, SMART errors, and boot device selection

Printer maintenance: laser imaging components such as fuser, transfer belt, and roller wear causing streaks

Network connectivity and PoE: switch capability, injectors, VLANs, and cable/port troubleshooting with ping and ipconfig

Why learners struggle

Why Hardware and Network Troubleshooting questions are commonly missed

Network troubleshooting questions are commonly missed because learners confuse symptoms of different OSI layers and misapply tools. They often skip the step of identifying the exact scope of the problem.

  • ·DHCP vs static IP — when to use each
  • ·Link light vs data connectivity — not the same
  • ·ping localhost vs ping gateway — different tests
  • ·DNS vs DHCP failure — symptom overlap
  • ·Crossover vs straight-through cable — wrong use
  • ·SSID not visible vs can't connect — distinct issues

Watch out for

Common Hardware and Network Troubleshooting exam traps

  • ▸Assuming any 500 W PSU handles a high-end GPU; total wattage and 12 V rail capacity both matter under sustained load.
  • ▸Choosing the largest SATA SSD when an M.2 NVMe slot is free and the board supports booting from it.
  • ▸Replacing the whole printer or network switch before checking cheap, serviceable parts like rollers, toner, injectors, or cabling.

Question index

All Hardware and Network Troubleshooting questions (6)

Click any question to see the full explanation, or start a practice session above.

1

A technician is configuring a small office network and needs to connect a new VoIP phone that requires Power over Ethernet (PoE). The existing switch does not support PoE. Which of the following is the BEST solution to provide power to the phone without replacing the switch?

Medium2

A user reports that their desktop PC powers on, but the monitor displays 'No Signal' and remains black. The PC's fans spin, and the power LED is solid. After reseating the video card and trying a different monitor cable, the issue persists. What is the MOST likely cause?

Medium3

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that intermittently powers off after 15–20 minutes of use, especially under heavy load. The power supply is a 500 W unit that came with the case. The system has a high-end GPU and an overclocked CPU. The technician has already confirmed the wall outlet and power cable are good. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the shutdowns?

Medium4

A user complains that their laptop's wireless connection drops frequently when they move around their home office. The laptop is running Windows 11 and connects to a Wi-Fi 6 router. Which of the following should a technician check FIRST?

Easy5

A user reports that their laser printer produces pages with vertical streaks and smudges. The technician suspects a problem with the printer's internal components. Which two components are MOST likely to cause this issue? (Choose two.)

Medium6

A technician is replacing a failed hard drive in a desktop PC. The user wants the fastest possible storage for the operating system and frequently used applications. The motherboard has available M.2 slots and SATA ports. Which of the following should the technician install?

Easy

Other domains

All 220-1201 exam domains

Mobile DevicesPractice →
NetworkingPractice →
HardwarePractice →
Virtualization and Cloud ComputingPractice →
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting(current)

Frequently asked questions

What does the Hardware and Network Troubleshooting domain cover on the 220-1201 exam?
Be able to read a symptom, name the failing subsystem, and pick the least-invasive fix first. For power, storage, printing, and PoE scenarios, verify compatibility and capacity before swapping hardware, and confirm the motherboard or switch actually supports the feature you recommend.
How many questions are in this domain?
This page lists all 6 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting questions in the 220-1201 question bank. The actual exam draws from this domain proportionally to its weighting in the official exam blueprint.
What is the best way to practise this domain?
Start with a short focused session (10 questions) to identify gaps, then work through explanations. Repeat with a longer session once the weak areas feel solid.
Can I practise only Hardware and Network Troubleshooting questions?
Yes — the session launcher on this page filters questions to this domain only. Choose any session length for inline explanations and scoring.
Practice 25 questions