- A
Too many access points are configured on the same or overlapping channels
Excessive APs on the same channel cause co-channel interference, leading to high utilization and intermittent connectivity.
- B
Access point output power is too high
Why wrong: High output power can cause overlap, but the direct cause of high utilization is the number of APs/clients contending for the channel, not power alone.
- C
Microwave ovens are interfering with the wireless signal
Why wrong: Microwaves cause temporary interference, typically spikes in utilization, not consistently high utilization above 80%.
- D
Client devices have weak signal strength
Why wrong: Weak signal strength from clients would result in low throughput for those clients, but channel utilization would not be consistently high; it might be low due to poor connectivity.
Quick Answer
The answer is too many access points configured on the same or overlapping channels. Consistently high channel utilization above 80% on the 2.4 GHz band forces wireless stations to wait excessively for clear channel access under CSMA/CA, leading to collisions, retransmissions, and intermittent disconnections. This scenario tests your understanding of co-channel and adjacent-channel interference, a core concept in the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam’s wireless troubleshooting domain. A common trap is blaming signal strength or client drivers, but the spectrum analyzer’s utilization reading points directly to channel overcrowding—not weak signals. Remember that 2.4 GHz has only three non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11); if utilization stays above 80%, APs are likely stepping on each other. A helpful memory tip: “Over 80%? Too many APs on the same channel party.”
N10-009 Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network troubleshooting. 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 technician is troubleshooting a wireless network that experiences intermittent disconnections. A spectrum analysis shows channel utilization consistently above 80% on the 2.4 GHz band. Which of the following 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 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
Too many access points are configured on the same or overlapping channels
A is correct because consistently high channel utilization above 80% on the 2.4 GHz band indicates co-channel or adjacent-channel interference, typically caused by too many access points (APs) operating on the same or overlapping channels (e.g., channels 1, 6, and 11 are non-overlapping in 802.11b/g/n). This leads to excessive contention, increased retransmissions, and intermittent disconnections as stations wait for clear channel access via CSMA/CA.
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.
- ✓
Too many access points are configured on the same or overlapping channels
Why this is correct
Excessive APs on the same channel cause co-channel interference, leading to high utilization and intermittent connectivity.
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.
- ✗
Access point output power is too high
Why it's wrong here
High output power can cause overlap, but the direct cause of high utilization is the number of APs/clients contending for the channel, not power alone.
- ✗
Microwave ovens are interfering with the wireless signal
Why it's wrong here
Microwaves cause temporary interference, typically spikes in utilization, not consistently high utilization above 80%.
- ✗
Client devices have weak signal strength
Why it's wrong here
Weak signal strength from clients would result in low throughput for those clients, but channel utilization would not be consistently high; it might be low due to poor connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often attribute high channel utilization solely to non-Wi-Fi interference (like microwaves) or power settings, but the exam expects you to recognize that persistent >80% utilization in the 2.4 GHz band is almost always due to overlapping APs on the same or adjacent channels, not transient interference sources.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
High output power can cause overlap, but the direct cause of high utilization is the number of APs/clients contending for the channel, not power alone.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In 802.11 networks, channel utilization is measured as the fraction of time the medium is sensed busy, which includes both data frames and management frames (beacons, probes). With multiple APs on overlapping channels, the Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) threshold is frequently exceeded, causing stations to defer transmissions and leading to hidden node problems and throughput degradation. A real-world scenario is a dense office environment where neighboring APs are auto-channel-selected onto the same channel, resulting in a 50% or more reduction in effective throughput due to contention.
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 practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
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Network Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Troubleshooting — This question tests Network Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Too many access points are configured on the same or overlapping channels — A is correct because consistently high channel utilization above 80% on the 2.4 GHz band indicates co-channel or adjacent-channel interference, typically caused by too many access points (APs) operating on the same or overlapping channels (e.g., channels 1, 6, and 11 are non-overlapping in 802.11b/g/n). This leads to excessive contention, increased retransmissions, and intermittent disconnections as stations wait for clear channel access via CSMA/CA.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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