- A
Check the router's routing table for a route to the internet
Why wrong: Other users can access the internet, so the router's routing table is likely correct.
- B
Check the workstation's IP configuration for a misconfigured default gateway or DNS
The user can ping the gateway, so the gateway IP (192.168.1.1) is reachable. But if the gateway is not the correct router for internet access, or if the workstation has a local firewall blocking outbound traffic, internet access may fail.
- C
Check the DNS server configuration on the workstation
Why wrong: The user is pinging 8.8.8.8, which is an IP address, so DNS is not involved in this test.
- D
Check the switch port for VLAN misconfiguration
Why wrong: If the VLAN were wrong, the user likely wouldn't be able to ping the default gateway either.
Quick Answer
The answer is to check the workstation’s IP configuration for a misconfigured default gateway or DNS. This is correct because the user can ping the local gateway (192.168.1.1) but cannot reach an external host like 8.8.8.8, while other users on the same subnet have no issues—this isolates the problem to the workstation itself, not the network infrastructure. A misconfigured default gateway, such as an incorrect IP or subnet mask, would allow local traffic but break routing to external networks, while faulty DNS settings could prevent name resolution even if IP routing works. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between local connectivity and external routing failures; a common trap is to immediately blame the switch or router when the port is up and other users are fine. Remember the memory tip: “If you can ping the gateway but not the internet, check the workstation’s IP config first—gateway or DNS is likely the culprit.”
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 user reports that they cannot access the internet. The user's workstation has an IP address of 192.168.1.100/24, with a default gateway of 192.168.1.1. The user can ping the default gateway but cannot ping 8.8.8.8. Other users on the same subnet can ping 8.8.8.8. The technician checks the switch and sees the user's port is up. What should the technician check next?
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
Check the workstation's IP configuration for a misconfigured default gateway or DNS
Since the user can ping the default gateway (192.168.1.1) but not 8.8.8.8, while other users on the same subnet can reach 8.8.8.8, the issue is isolated to this workstation. The most likely cause is a misconfigured default gateway (e.g., wrong IP or subnet mask) or DNS settings, as the gateway is reachable but traffic is not being forwarded correctly. Option B directly addresses checking the workstation's IP configuration for these misconfigurations, which is the logical next step after verifying local connectivity.
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.
- ✗
Check the router's routing table for a route to the internet
Why it's wrong here
Other users can access the internet, so the router's routing table is likely correct.
- ✓
Check the workstation's IP configuration for a misconfigured default gateway or DNS
Why this is correct
The user can ping the gateway, so the gateway IP (192.168.1.1) is reachable. But if the gateway is not the correct router for internet access, or if the workstation has a local firewall blocking outbound traffic, internet access may fail.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Check the DNS server configuration on the workstation
Why it's wrong here
The user is pinging 8.8.8.8, which is an IP address, so DNS is not involved in this test.
- ✗
Check the switch port for VLAN misconfiguration
Why it's wrong here
If the VLAN were wrong, the user likely wouldn't be able to ping the default gateway either.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to checking the router's routing table (Option A) or DNS (Option C) when the symptom is a ping failure to an IP address, but the key clue is that other users on the same subnet are unaffected, isolating the problem to the workstation's configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a workstation can ping its default gateway but not a remote IP like 8.8.8.8, it often indicates a routing issue at the host level, such as an incorrect default gateway IP, subnet mask, or a missing static route. The default gateway must be on the same subnet as the workstation; if the subnet mask is misconfigured (e.g., /16 instead of /24), the host may not send traffic to the gateway. Tools like 'ipconfig /all' (Windows) or 'ip a' (Linux) can verify these settings, and 'tracert' or 'traceroute' can show where packets stop.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Check the workstation's IP configuration for a misconfigured default gateway or DNS — Since the user can ping the default gateway (192.168.1.1) but not 8.8.8.8, while other users on the same subnet can reach 8.8.8.8, the issue is isolated to this workstation. The most likely cause is a misconfigured default gateway (e.g., wrong IP or subnet mask) or DNS settings, as the gateway is reachable but traffic is not being forwarded correctly. Option B directly addresses checking the workstation's IP configuration for these misconfigurations, which is the logical next step after verifying local connectivity.
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.
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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