easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
FC0-U71 Practice Question: That their computer cannot access the internet,…
A user reports that their computer cannot access the internet, but it can reach other devices on the local network. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse DNS issues with routing issues, assuming that 'cannot access the internet' automatically means DNS is broken, but the key clue is that local network access still works, which isolates the problem to Layer 3 routing (default gateway) rather than Layer 2 or application-layer issues.
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
✓
Misconfigured default gateway
The default gateway is the router interface that connects the local network to external networks, such as the internet. If the default gateway is misconfigured (e.g., wrong IP address or subnet mask), the computer can still communicate with devices on the same subnet using ARP and Layer 2 switching, but it cannot route packets to external destinations because it has no valid next-hop address. This directly explains why local access works but internet access fails.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Incorrect DNS server address
Why it's wrong here
DNS issues affect name resolution, but direct IP access might still work.
- ✗
Faulty network cable
Why it's wrong here
A faulty cable would typically prevent all network communication.
- ✓
Misconfigured default gateway
Why this is correct
Default gateway routes traffic outside the local subnet; a misconfiguration blocks internet access.
- ✗
Local firewall blocking all outbound traffic
Why it's wrong here
A firewall blocking all outbound would also block local traffic in most cases.
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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.