220-1101 Mobile Devices Practice Question
A user reports that their Android smartphone's touchscreen does not respond to taps or swipes in the lower third of the screen, but works normally everywhere else. The phone has not been dropped or exposed to liquid, and a screen protector is installed. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a screen protector or software glitch is the culprit when the symptom is localized to a specific screen region, which points to hardware damage.
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 digitizer is damaged in the lower portion of the display assembly.
The digitizer is responsible for sensing touch input. Damage to a specific area of the digitizer, even without visible cracks, can cause that region to stop responding. Since the issue is isolated to the lower third and there is no other physical damage, a digitizer fault is the most likely cause. Replacing the display assembly is the standard fix.
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 battery is swollen and pressing against the back of the display.
Why it's wrong here
A swollen battery can exert pressure on internal components, but it usually causes the entire screen to bulge or become unresponsive globally, not just a specific section. Additionally, the user would likely notice a bulging case or difficulty pressing buttons. A localized touch failure is more indicative of digitizer damage than battery swelling.
- ✗
The phone's operating system needs to be updated to fix a touch driver bug.
Why it's wrong here
A software bug causing touch issues would typically affect the entire screen or be intermittent, not consistently limited to a specific physical area. While OS updates can fix touch calibration problems, a hardware fault is more likely when the unresponsive area is always the same. Updating the OS would not repair a physically damaged digitizer.
- ✓
The digitizer is damaged in the lower portion of the display assembly.
Why this is correct
The digitizer is the layer that converts touch into electrical signals. Damage to a specific region, even without visible cracks, can cause localized unresponsiveness. Since the issue is confined to the lower third and there is no physical damage, a faulty digitizer is the most probable cause. Replacing the display assembly typically resolves this.
- ✗
The screen protector is not making proper contact in that area.
Why it's wrong here
A poorly adhered screen protector can interfere with touch sensitivity, but it typically causes dead spots only where air gaps or debris exist. In this scenario, the issue is isolated to the lower third, which could be due to a bubble or lifting edge, but a digitizer defect is more likely given no mention of protector damage. The protector would usually affect the entire screen if misapplied.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.