220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a Windows 10 application frequently crashes with an error indicating that a required DLL file is missing. The technician has verified that the application worked previously. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to reinstalling the application (Option A) because they assume the missing DLL is part of the app, but the CompTIA exam tests the understanding that system file corruption is a common root cause for DLL errors in previously working applications.
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
✓
Run SFC /scannow
The SFC (System File Checker) utility scans for and restores corrupted or missing protected system files, including DLLs. Since the error indicates a missing DLL and the application worked previously, the most likely cause is a corrupted system file rather than an application-specific issue, making SFC /scannow the appropriate first step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reinstall the application
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the application replaces its program files and registry entries, but this does not address the underlying cause of a missing DLL, which is typically a shared system component or dependency that the application requires. The correct first step is to use System File Checker (SFC) to verify and restore the missing DLL from the Windows component store. This option is tempting because reinstalling often resolves corruption within the application’s own files, and it would be correct if the application’s local data or configuration were damaged rather than a system-level DLL.
- ✓
Run SFC /scannow
Why this is correct
SFC /scannow is the correct first step because it verifies the integrity of all protected system files and replaces corrupted or missing versions from the Windows component store (WinSxS). A missing DLL error often indicates that a critical system component or dependency has been damaged, not that the application itself is broken. SFC is non-invasive, preserves user data and installed applications, and directly targets the root cause if the DLL belongs to the OS or a shared runtime.
- ✗
Update the graphics driver
Why it's wrong here
Updating the graphics driver is irrelevant because graphics drivers do not provide or manage the general-purpose system DLLs (such as kernel32.dll or msvcp*.dll) that are typically missing in these errors. While a graphics driver update can fix rendering glitches or crashes within the GPU stack, a missing DLL error points to a corrupted system file or missing Visual C++ runtime, which is outside the driver's scope. Pursuing this option wastes time and fails to address the actual system-level corruption.
- ✗
Perform a System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore can potentially fix a missing DLL by reverting the entire OS and registry to an earlier restore point, but it is a broad and invasive action that may remove recently installed applications, drivers, updates, or user settings. It should be used only after targeted repairs like SFC /scannow have failed, because restoring to a snapshot could introduce new problems or lose recent configuration changes. As a first step, it is excessive and does not isolate the single missing DLL issue.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
User Account Control (UAC)
Key term
Missing DLL
A Missing DLL error occurs when a required Dynamic Link Library file is not found by the Windows operating system or an application, preventing the program from starting or running properly.
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.