220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
After a thunderstorm, a user reports that their desktop computer cannot connect to the network. The technician observes that the Ethernet port on the computer has a steady green link light but no amber activity light. The switch port corresponding to the user's cable also shows a link light. The computer's operating system shows an IP address of 169.254.1.10. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a link light guarantees full network functionality, but a damaged cable can break Layer 2 data transfer while still allowing the Layer 1 link light to stay on.
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 Ethernet cable has been damaged and is causing frame errors
The 169.254.1.10 IP address is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address (169.254.0.0/16, per RFC 3927), which Windows assigns when DHCP fails. The steady green link light on both the NIC and switch indicates Layer 1 connectivity is intact, but the absence of an amber activity light suggests no data frames are passing. Damaged cabling can cause excessive frame errors or collisions, preventing successful DHCP discovery (broadcast) and data transmission while still allowing the link light to illuminate, as link detection only requires an electrical connection, not error-free communication.
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 network interface card (NIC) has been damaged by a power surge
Why it's wrong here
A damaged NIC would typically not show a link light. The steady green light indicates the NIC is sensing the carrier signal, so it's likely still functional.
- ✓
The Ethernet cable has been damaged and is causing frame errors
Why this is correct
A damaged cable can pass the link integrity test (link light) but fail to transmit data properly, preventing DHCP communication and causing the computer to self-assign an APIPA address.
- ✗
The switch port was disabled by the storm
Why it's wrong here
If the switch port were disabled, the link light would be off. A link light is present, so the port is logically enabled.
- ✗
The router's DHCP server failed after the storm
Why it's wrong here
If the DHCP server failed, other devices on the same network would also likely obtain APIPA addresses. The technician's observation of only one affected computer makes a router failure less likely.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing
A fallback method used by a device to automatically assign itself an IP address when it cannot obtain one from a DHCP server.
Key term
Operating system
An operating system (OS) is the core software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources, providing common services for computer programs.
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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 reports that after moving their desktop computer to a new desk, the network connection no longer works. The technician notices that the Ethernet cable is plugged into the computer and the wall jack, but the link lights on the computer's NIC and the wall jack are off. The cable is a flat-style Cat5e cable that came with the computer. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
medium- ✓ A.The cable is damaged from bending
- B.The cable is not Cat6
- C.The wall jack is not terminated properly
- D.The NIC is disabled in the OS
Why A: Flat-style Ethernet cables are more susceptible to damage from bending or kinking than round cables because their conductors are arranged in a parallel plane, which can cause conductor fractures or impedance mismatches when flexed. Since the cable was moved and the link lights are off on both the NIC and the wall jack, the most likely cause is physical damage to the cable from bending during the move, breaking the electrical continuity.
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.