FC0-U71 Infrastructure Practice Question
A user complains that their laptop battery drains rapidly even while plugged into a docking station that supports USB Power Delivery. The dock is connected with a cable that fits the USB-C port. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any working USB-C connection automatically supplies enough power to both run the laptop and charge its battery.
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 dock provides less power than the laptop requires under its current workload.
USB Power Delivery allows a charger and device to agree on a wattage both support. When the dock's maximum output is lower than what the laptop consumes during demanding tasks, the shortfall is drawn from the battery, so the charge level falls even though the dock is connected. Checking the dock's rated wattage against the laptop's power adapter rating reveals the mismatch.
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 docking station is using the USB 2.0 protocol instead of USB 3.2.
Why it's wrong here
USB 2.0 versus USB 3.2 affects data transfer speed and video capability, not the amount of power the dock can deliver. USB Power Delivery is a separate negotiation that can operate over either data rate. A dock running USB 2.0 speeds would make file transfers and display output slow, but it would not by itself cause the battery to drain while the laptop is docked and receiving power.
- ✓
The dock provides less power than the laptop requires under its current workload.
Why this is correct
USB Power Delivery negotiates a wattage both sides support. If the dock supplies, for example, 45 W while the laptop needs 65 W or more during heavy use, the battery will slowly discharge to make up the difference even though the dock is connected. This is the classic symptom of an underpowered dock, and it matches the scenario where the cable fits and power is clearly being delivered but the battery still drains.
- ✗
The laptop's battery is failing and can no longer hold a charge.
Why it's wrong here
A failing battery would typically show reduced runtime when unplugged and might shut down unexpectedly, but the scenario specifically states the drain occurs while connected to a powered dock. If the battery were simply worn out, the laptop would still run from dock power once charged. Battery degradation is a plausible but less likely explanation because the problem is tied to the docking connection, not to unplugged usage.
- ✗
The USB-C cable is a charge-only cable and cannot carry data.
Why it's wrong here
A charge-only USB-C cable lacks the high-speed data wires but still carries power and can negotiate USB Power Delivery, so it would not cause rapid battery drain while docked. In fact, a charge-only cable may prevent the dock's peripherals from working, but the laptop would still receive power and the battery would charge or remain stable. The scenario describes battery drain despite being connected, which points away from a charge-only cable.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every FC0-U71 question from scratch — 988 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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 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.