The answer is an incorrect or non-functional DNS server address. This is the most likely cause because the user has working internet access—meaning their IP configuration, default gateway, and physical connectivity are all fine—yet they cannot browse by domain name, which relies entirely on DNS to translate human-readable names into IP addresses. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the OSI model’s application layer versus network layer: if ping to an IP address works but ping to a domain name fails, DNS is the culprit. A common trap is to suspect the DHCP server or default gateway, but since the user can access the internet, those are functioning; the issue is specifically with name resolution. Remember the mnemonic “DNS = Domain Name Service” and that without it, you can drive on the internet highway but have no road signs to find your destination.
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.
Refer to the exhibit. A technician runs ipconfig /all on a user's computer. The user can access the internet but cannot browse to any websites by domain name. 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
✓
The DNS server address is incorrect or not functioning for external lookups.
The user can access the internet (IP connectivity works) but cannot browse by domain name, which indicates that DNS resolution is failing. The `ipconfig /all` output would show a DNS server address; if that address is incorrect or the DNS server cannot perform external lookups, the computer cannot translate domain names to IP addresses, even though other network functions (like DHCP and IP routing) are working correctly.
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.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume internet access means all network services are working, but DNS is a separate service that can fail independently of IP connectivity, and the question specifically tests whether you can isolate the symptom of name resolution failure from general connectivity.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
DHCP is enabled as shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS resolution relies on the client sending a query to the configured DNS server (typically UDP port 53). If the DNS server is unreachable, misconfigured, or does not have records for external domains (e.g., it is an internal-only DNS server), the client will receive a 'Server Failed' or 'No Response' error. A common real-world scenario is when a corporate DNS server is set to forward queries to an external resolver, but the forwarder is misconfigured or blocked by a firewall, causing internal hosts to resolve internal names but fail on external lookups.
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: The DNS server address is incorrect or not functioning for external lookups. — The user can access the internet (IP connectivity works) but cannot browse by domain name, which indicates that DNS resolution is failing. The `ipconfig /all` output would show a DNS server address; if that address is incorrect or the DNS server cannot perform external lookups, the computer cannot translate domain names to IP addresses, even though other network functions (like DHCP and IP routing) are working correctly.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.