- A
The iPhone's Lightning-to-USB-C cable is faulty.
Why wrong: If the cable were faulty, it would likely not work with the wall adapter either, unless the fault is intermittent. The consistent behavior with the wall adapter suggests the cable is good.
- B
The laptop's USB-C port does not support Apple's Power Delivery (PD) protocol.
Many laptops' USB-C ports are data-only or provide limited power. iPhones require a specific PD negotiation to charge. Without it, the phone may not draw power, or the port may not supply it.
- C
The iPhone's charging port is clogged with debris.
Why wrong: A clogged port would prevent charging from any source, including the wall adapter. Since the wall adapter works, the port is clear.
- D
The laptop's USB-C driver is outdated.
Why wrong: A driver issue could affect data transfer, but USB power delivery is handled at a hardware level in most systems. A driver update is unlikely to fix a fundamental power negotiation incompatibility.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the laptop’s USB-C port does not support Apple’s Power Delivery (PD) protocol. This is a power negotiation issue: iPhones require a specific PD profile to request higher voltage and current for charging, and if the laptop’s port only supplies the baseline 5V/0.5A—common on older or basic USB-C ports—the iPhone will not initiate charging, even though the port works with other devices. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of USB-C power delivery standards and device-specific charging profiles; a common trap is assuming all USB-C ports provide the same power output. Remember, when an iPhone charges from wall but not laptop USB-C, the wall adapter delivers the correct PD profile, while the laptop port likely lacks it. Memory tip: “PD or no D”—if the port doesn’t support Power Delivery, the device won’t draw power.
220-1101 Mobile Devices Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile 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 iPhone 13 will not charge when plugged into the USB-C port on their company-issued laptop, but it charges normally from the wall adapter. The laptop's USB-C port works with other devices. What is the most likely 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 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 laptop's USB-C port does not support Apple's Power Delivery (PD) protocol.
This is a classic power delivery negotiation issue. iPhones use a proprietary charging protocol over USB-C (or Lightning). The laptop's USB-C port may not support the Apple-specific charging profile or may not provide enough power (e.g., only 5V/0.5A). The wall adapter provides the correct voltage and current for the iPhone.
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.
- ✗
The iPhone's Lightning-to-USB-C cable is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
If the cable were faulty, it would likely not work with the wall adapter either, unless the fault is intermittent. The consistent behavior with the wall adapter suggests the cable is good.
- ✓
The laptop's USB-C port does not support Apple's Power Delivery (PD) protocol.
Why this is correct
Many laptops' USB-C ports are data-only or provide limited power. iPhones require a specific PD negotiation to charge. Without it, the phone may not draw power, or the port may not supply it.
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.
- ✗
The iPhone's charging port is clogged with debris.
Why it's wrong here
A clogged port would prevent charging from any source, including the wall adapter. Since the wall adapter works, the port is clear.
- ✗
The laptop's USB-C driver is outdated.
Why it's wrong here
A driver issue could affect data transfer, but USB power delivery is handled at a hardware level in most systems. A driver update is unlikely to fix a fundamental power negotiation incompatibility.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop's USB-C port does not support Apple's Power Delivery (PD) protocol. — This is a classic power delivery negotiation issue. iPhones use a proprietary charging protocol over USB-C (or Lightning). The laptop's USB-C port may not support the Apple-specific charging profile or may not provide enough power (e.g., only 5V/0.5A). The wall adapter provides the correct voltage and current for the iPhone.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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