220-1101 Mobile Devices Practice Question
A user reports that their iPhone 13 does not charge when plugged into the wall outlet using the original charging cable and adapter. The technician tries a different known-good Lightning cable and wall adapter, but the phone still does not charge. The technician inspects the Lightning port on the phone and sees that the port opening appears clean with no visible debris. Which of the following is the BEST next step to troubleshoot this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a clean visual inspection means the port is clear, but CompTIA tests the understanding that hidden debris deep inside the port can only be removed with a non-conductive probing tool.
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
✓
Use a non-conductive tool (e.g., a plastic toothpick) to carefully probe the Lightning port and remove any hidden debris.
The technician's visual inspection may miss compacted debris deep inside the Lightning port. Using a non-conductive tool to gently probe can dislodge hidden lint or dirt that prevents proper contact between the Lightning connector and the port's pins, restoring charging capability without risking a short circuit.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reset the network settings to rule out a software conflict affecting charging.
Why it's wrong here
Resetting network settings clears Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular configurations; it has no effect on the power management IC, charging port, or battery charging circuit. The iPhone's charging hardware is independent of the network stack, so this action cannot remove debris or restore electrical contact. It also wastes time and may require re-entering Wi-Fi credentials, making it an irrelevant troubleshooting step.
- ✗
Connect the phone to a computer and perform a full restore via iTunes.
Why it's wrong here
A full restore is a software troubleshooting step. If the phone is not charging at all, it may not have enough battery to complete a restore, and the root cause is likely hardware, not software.
- ✓
Use a non-conductive tool (e.g., a plastic toothpick) to carefully probe the Lightning port and remove any hidden debris.
Why this is correct
Lint and debris can be compacted at the bottom of the port and may not be visible from the surface. Gently cleaning the port with a non-conductive tool is a safe first step to restore proper electrical contact.
- ✗
Replace the iPhone's battery immediately, as a dead battery is the most likely cause.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the battery is a drastic step that should only be considered after all other charging hardware (port, cable, adapter) has been ruled out. A non-charging phone with no visible damage is more often due to port debris than a completely failed battery.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1101 question from scratch — 896 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way 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's smartphone will not charge when plugged into a wall charger. The technician tests the charger with another phone and it works correctly. The technician then inspects the charging port on the smartphone and notices debris inside. Which of the following is the BEST first step to resolve the issue?
easy- A.Replace the smartphone battery
- B.Replace the charging port assembly
- ✓ C.Clean the charging port with a toothpick
- D.Perform a factory reset on the smartphone
Why C: The technician has already verified that the charger works with another phone, isolating the issue to the smartphone itself. Inspecting the charging port revealed debris, which is a common cause of poor electrical contact. Cleaning the port with a non-conductive, non-metallic tool like a toothpick is the safest and most effective first step to restore connectivity without damaging the port's pins or internal components.
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.