hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a printer that is…
A technician is troubleshooting a printer that is not printing. The user insists that the printer was working yesterday and nothing has changed. The technician finds that the printer's IP address has changed due to a DHCP lease renewal. What is the best way to explain this to the user?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates choose Option C, thinking technical jargon demonstrates expertise, but CompTIA emphasizes explaining issues in user-friendly terms to maintain professionalism and trust.
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
✓
Explain that the printer's IP address changed because of DHCP, and that you will assign a static IP to prevent future issues.
It directly addresses the root cause (DHCP lease renewal changing the printer's IP) and provides a clear, non-technical explanation to the user while outlining the solution (assigning a static IP). This demonstrates effective communication and professionalism by taking ownership of the issue and preventing recurrence, aligning with CompTIA's troubleshooting methodology.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Explain that the printer's IP address changed because of DHCP, and that you will assign a static IP to prevent future issues.
Why this is correct
This is the most appropriate response because it clearly and concisely explains the root cause of the printer's inaccessibility, which is the DHCP server dynamically reassigning its IP address, in user-friendly terms. It also immediately offers a concrete, permanent solution by configuring a static IP address to prevent recurrence, demonstrating competence and a proactive approach to problem-solving. This approach builds user confidence and resolves the issue efficiently.
- ✗
Tell the user that the network changed the printer's address and it is not your fault.
Why it's wrong here
This response is unprofessional and unhelpful because it shifts blame without offering any explanation or solution to the user. While the network's DHCP server might be the technical cause of the IP address change, stating 'it is not your fault' avoids responsibility for resolving the user's problem and fails to provide any actionable steps or reassurance. A technician's role is to troubleshoot and resolve issues, not to deflect blame.
- ✗
Use technical jargon like 'DHCP lease expiration' and 'subnet mask misconfiguration' to sound authoritative.
Why it's wrong here
Employing overly technical jargon such as 'DHCP lease expiration' or 'subnet mask misconfiguration' is counterproductive when communicating with a non-technical user. While these terms might be technically accurate in a diagnostic context, they will likely confuse and frustrate the user rather than inform them about the issue. Effective communication requires tailoring the explanation to the audience's understanding, ensuring clarity and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
- ✗
Say that the printer is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Why it's wrong here
This response is completely inappropriate and dishonest because it misdiagnoses the problem and suggests an unnecessary, costly solution. A printer not being accessible due to an IP address change is a network configuration issue, not a hardware fault requiring replacement. This approach demonstrates a lack of diagnostic skill and could lead to significant, avoidable expenses for the user or organization, undermining trust.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 495 original 220-1202 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.