hardMultiple Choice
FC0-U71 Practice Question: A network technician observes that a DHCP server…
A network technician observes that a DHCP server is not issuing IP addresses to clients. The DHCP server is running on a Windows Server with a static IP of 192.168.1.10. Clients are on the same subnet. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates jump to scope exhaustion or router configuration issues, forgetting that the most basic service-level check is the first step in any troubleshooting methodology.
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
✓
Whether the DHCP Server service is running
The most fundamental check when a DHCP server fails to issue IP addresses is whether the DHCP Server service itself is running. If the service is stopped, the server cannot respond to any DHCP Discover messages, regardless of scope configuration or network topology. Since the clients are on the same subnet, no router forwarding is required, making service status the logical 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.
- ✓
Whether the DHCP Server service is running
Why this is correct
If the DHCP Server service is stopped, the server holds its static address but issues no leases, exactly matching the symptom. Verifying the service state first is the fastest check before investigating scope configuration, authorisation, or relay settings.
- ✗
Whether the DHCP scope is full
Why it's wrong here
A full scope yields no free leases, but the server would still respond; total silence points to the DHCP service, authorisation, or relay being down. Checking scope exhaustion is tempting because it is a common cause of lease failures, and it would be the right first check once clients receive DHCPOFFERs but no addresses.
- ✗
Whether a router is forwarding DHCP broadcasts
Why it's wrong here
Clients and the DHCP server sit on the same subnet, so broadcasts reach the server directly without router forwarding; the fault lies elsewhere, such as the DHCP service or scope. Router forwarding is tempting because it is required when the server and clients are separated by a router acting as a DHCP relay.
- ✗
Whether the clients have a wireless connection
Why it's wrong here
A wireless connection still carries DHCP traffic to the same subnet, so it does not explain the failure; the issue is server-side, such as the DHCP service or scope configuration. Checking wireless is tempting because connectivity problems often stem from the client link, which would be relevant if clients could not reach the network at all.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.