- A
The screen protector is too thick.
Why wrong: A thick screen protector can reduce sensitivity, but the primary issue is the stylus type, not the protector.
- B
The stylus tip is not conductive.
Capacitive screens rely on electrical conductivity; a non-conductive stylus tip will not be detected.
- C
The tablet's touch calibration is off.
Why wrong: Touch calibration issues affect all input, not just a specific stylus; the stylus works inconsistently, suggesting a compatibility problem.
- D
The workers are pressing too lightly.
Why wrong: Capacitive screens detect touch through electrical field changes, not pressure; pressing harder does not improve detection.
Question 30 of 1,020
Capacitive Stylus Not Working: Tip Must Be Conductive
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device connection methods. 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 company deploys tablets for field workers to capture signatures on glass screens using a capacitive stylus. Several workers complain that the stylus does not register consistently. 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.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the stylus tip is not conductive. Capacitive touchscreens, like those on modern tablets, detect touch through the electrical conductivity of your finger or a specialized stylus; a non-conductive plastic tip cannot complete the circuit, which explains why the stylus does not register consistently. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this concept tests your understanding of input device technologies and the difference between resistive and capacitive screens—a common trap is assuming any stylus works on glass. Remember that capacitive screens require a conductive path, so the tip must be made of materials like conductive rubber or metal. A quick memory tip: “Capacitive craves conductivity”—if the tip isn’t conductive, the screen won’t respond.
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
✓
The stylus tip is not conductive.
Capacitive styluses work by transferring a small electrical charge from the user's hand through the conductive tip to the touchscreen, mimicking a finger's touch. If the tip is not conductive, it cannot complete the capacitive coupling, causing inconsistent or no registration. This is the most likely cause given the specific use case of signature capture on glass screens.
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.
- ✗
The screen protector is too thick.
Why it's wrong here
A thick screen protector can reduce sensitivity, but the primary issue is the stylus type, not the protector.
- ✓
The stylus tip is not conductive.
Why this is correct
Capacitive screens rely on electrical conductivity; a non-conductive stylus tip will not be detected.
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.
- ✗
The tablet's touch calibration is off.
Why it's wrong here
Touch calibration issues affect all input, not just a specific stylus; the stylus works inconsistently, suggesting a compatibility problem.
- ✗
The workers are pressing too lightly.
Why it's wrong here
Capacitive screens detect touch through electrical field changes, not pressure; pressing harder does not improve detection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that pressure or calibration is the primary factor in capacitive touch issues, when in fact the core requirement is conductivity for capacitive coupling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Capacitive touchscreens rely on the principle of mutual capacitance, where a grid of electrodes detects changes in capacitance when a conductive object (like a finger or conductive stylus) disturbs the electrostatic field. A non-conductive stylus tip cannot create this disturbance, regardless of pressure. In real-world scenarios, cheap or worn-out styluses often have non-conductive tips due to manufacturing defects or material degradation, leading to the exact symptom described.
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 220-1201 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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Mobile Device Connection Methods — study guide chapter
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Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Connection Methods — This question tests Mobile Device Connection Methods — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The stylus tip is not conductive. — Capacitive styluses work by transferring a small electrical charge from the user's hand through the conductive tip to the touchscreen, mimicking a finger's touch. If the tip is not conductive, it cannot complete the capacitive coupling, causing inconsistent or no registration. This is the most likely cause given the specific use case of signature capture on glass screens.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 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: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 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 220-1201 exam.
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