- A
The 5 GHz SSID is hidden and requires manual entry.
Why wrong: While a hidden SSID could prevent automatic connection, the tablets would still see the network if they support 5 GHz. The symptom is that they cannot connect at all, not that they can't find it.
- B
The tablets only support 802.11b/g/n on the 2.4 GHz band and lack 5 GHz hardware support.
Many low-cost tablets only include 2.4 GHz radios to save on cost and battery. This is a hardware limitation that cannot be fixed with software, explaining why all 20 tablets behave identically.
- C
The corporate 5 GHz network requires 802.1X authentication that is not configured on the tablets.
Why wrong: If the tablets could see the 5 GHz network, they would prompt for authentication. The problem is they cannot connect at all, not that they fail authentication.
- D
The tablets have a defective Wi-Fi antenna.
Why wrong: A defective antenna would affect both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Since the tablets work fine on 2.4 GHz, the antenna is functional.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the tablets lack the necessary hardware to support 5 GHz Wi-Fi, as they only support 802.11b/g/n on the 2.4 GHz band. This is a classic hardware compatibility issue: a device’s wireless radio must include a 5 GHz-capable chipset and antenna to connect to that frequency, and many budget or older tablets are built solely for 2.4 GHz to reduce cost. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless standards and frequency bands—specifically that 802.11b/g/n operates only on 2.4 GHz, while 5 GHz requires 802.11a, ac, ax, or be support. A common trap is assuming all Wi-Fi devices can see both bands, but the real-world fix is to check the tablet’s spec sheet for “dual-band” support. Remember the memory tip: “5 GHz needs a, c, x, or e—if it’s only b/g/n, you’re stuck at 2.4.”
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 technician is deploying 20 new tablets for a hospital's nursing staff. After configuring Wi-Fi and email, they find that the tablets will not connect to the corporate 5 GHz wireless network, only to the 2.4 GHz network. All tablets are the same model. What is the most likely cause?
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 tablets only support 802.11b/g/n on the 2.4 GHz band and lack 5 GHz hardware support.
This is a common deployment issue where the device's wireless radio supports 2.4 GHz but not 5 GHz, or the 5 GHz channel is not supported. Older or budget tablets may lack 5 GHz capability, or the corporate network may use a 5 GHz channel (e.g., DFS channels) that the tablet's radio cannot use. Checking the tablet's Wi-Fi specifications is the correct first step.
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 5 GHz SSID is hidden and requires manual entry.
Why it's wrong here
While a hidden SSID could prevent automatic connection, the tablets would still see the network if they support 5 GHz. The symptom is that they cannot connect at all, not that they can't find it.
- ✓
The tablets only support 802.11b/g/n on the 2.4 GHz band and lack 5 GHz hardware support.
Why this is correct
Many low-cost tablets only include 2.4 GHz radios to save on cost and battery. This is a hardware limitation that cannot be fixed with software, explaining why all 20 tablets behave identically.
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 corporate 5 GHz network requires 802.1X authentication that is not configured on the tablets.
Why it's wrong here
If the tablets could see the 5 GHz network, they would prompt for authentication. The problem is they cannot connect at all, not that they fail authentication.
- ✗
The tablets have a defective Wi-Fi antenna.
Why it's wrong here
A defective antenna would affect both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Since the tablets work fine on 2.4 GHz, the antenna is functional.
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 tablets only support 802.11b/g/n on the 2.4 GHz band and lack 5 GHz hardware support. — This is a common deployment issue where the device's wireless radio supports 2.4 GHz but not 5 GHz, or the 5 GHz channel is not supported. Older or budget tablets may lack 5 GHz capability, or the corporate network may use a 5 GHz channel (e.g., DFS channels) that the tablet's radio cannot use. Checking the tablet's Wi-Fi specifications is the correct first step.
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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