Quick Answer
The correct answer is to ping the default gateway, along with checking the IP configuration. Pinging the default gateway verifies whether your device can communicate with the local router, which is the essential first hop for any outbound traffic; if this ping fails, the problem lies within your local network, not the internet. Checking the IP configuration, using commands like `ipconfig`, reveals critical details such as whether your device has a valid IP address or an APIPA address (169.254.x.x), which indicates a failure to obtain an address from a DHCP server. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this question tests your ability to isolate network issues methodically, and a common trap is jumping to external fixes before confirming local connectivity. Remember the mnemonic “PING the Gateway, Check the IP” to keep your troubleshooting steps grounded in the OSI model’s network layer.
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.
Which TWO of the following are appropriate steps when troubleshooting a user's inability to access the internet? (Select TWO.)
Check the IP address configuration
Verifies if the workstation has a valid IP.
Restart the computer
Why wrong: Unlikely to fix connectivity issues.
Ping the default gateway
Tests if the workstation can reach the router.
Replace the network cable
Why wrong: Only if physical connection is suspected.
Power cycle the router
Why wrong: More disruptive; try software checks first.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Check the IP address configuration
Option A is correct because checking the IP address configuration is a fundamental first step in troubleshooting network connectivity. A misconfigured IP address, such as an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address in the 169.254.x.x range, indicates that the device failed to obtain a valid IP from a DHCP server, which would prevent internet access. Verifying the IP configuration with commands like `ipconfig` (Windows) or `ifconfig` (Linux/macOS) helps identify if the device has a proper IP, subnet mask, and default gateway.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Check the IP address configuration
Why this is correct
Verifies if the workstation has a valid IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Restart the computer
Why it's wrong here
Unlikely to fix connectivity issues.
Ping the default gateway
Why this is correct
Tests if the workstation can reach the router.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Replace the network cable
Why it's wrong here
Only if physical connection is suspected.
Power cycle the router
Why it's wrong here
More disruptive; try software checks first.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse general troubleshooting steps (like restarting the computer or power cycling the router) with the specific, targeted diagnostic steps required to isolate a network connectivity issue, leading them to select broad actions instead of precise checks like verifying the IP configuration or pinging the default gateway.
Detailed technical explanation
When a device cannot access the internet, the first logical step is to verify its IP configuration using `ipconfig /all` (Windows) or `ip addr` (Linux). A common subtlety is that a device may have a valid IP but an incorrect default gateway or DNS server, which still breaks internet access. In real-world scenarios, a misconfigured static IP or a DHCP lease expiration can cause the device to fall back to an APIPA address (169.254.0.0/16), which is non-routable and will not reach the internet, making IP configuration checks critical.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
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FAQ
Infrastructure — This question tests Infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Check the IP address configuration — Option A is correct because checking the IP address configuration is a fundamental first step in troubleshooting network connectivity. A misconfigured IP address, such as an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address in the 169.254.x.x range, indicates that the device failed to obtain a valid IP from a DHCP server, which would prevent internet access. Verifying the IP configuration with commands like `ipconfig` (Windows) or `ifconfig` (Linux/macOS) helps identify if the device has a proper IP, subnet mask, and default gateway.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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