The answer is that a DHCP server is not responding, as indicated by the APIPA address. When a client configured for DHCP boots up, it sends a broadcast request for an IP lease; if no DHCP server replies, Windows automatically assigns an address in the 169.254.x.x range, known as an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address. This address allows local communication only and confirms the client failed to obtain a valid IP configuration from the server. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DHCP failure symptoms—a common trap is confusing APIPA with a static IP misconfiguration or a DNS issue. Remember the mnemonic: “169.254 means DHCP is no more.”
FC0-U61 Infrastructure Practice Question
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user cannot connect to the internet. The network uses DHCP. Based on the exhibit, what is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
DHCP server is not responding
The exhibit shows an APIPA address (169.254.x.x), which indicates that the client failed to obtain a DHCP lease. Since the network uses DHCP, the most likely cause is that the DHCP server is not responding, preventing the client from receiving a valid IP configuration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
IP address conflict
Why it's wrong here
APIPA addresses are automatically assigned and do not indicate a conflict.
✗
Incorrect subnet mask
Why it's wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.0.0 is correct for an APIPA address.
✗
No default gateway configured
Why it's wrong here
While there is no default gateway, this is a symptom of DHCP failure, not the root cause.
✓
DHCP server is not responding
Why this is correct
APIPA occurs when a DHCP server is unavailable, so the DHCP server is likely not responding.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse APIPA with a DHCP server issue versus a gateway or subnet problem, but APIPA specifically indicates DHCP server unresponsiveness, not misconfiguration of existing IP settings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) is defined in RFC 3927 and assigns addresses in the 169.254.0.0/16 range when a DHCP discovery broadcast (DHCPDISCOVER) goes unanswered after multiple retries. The client sends DHCPDISCOVER messages on UDP port 67, and if no DHCPOFFER is received within a timeout period, it falls back to APIPA to maintain local link connectivity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Infrastructure — This question tests Infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP server is not responding — The exhibit shows an APIPA address (169.254.x.x), which indicates that the client failed to obtain a DHCP lease. Since the network uses DHCP, the most likely cause is that the DHCP server is not responding, preventing the client from receiving a valid IP configuration.
What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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