- A
The barcode scanner's battery is low.
Why wrong: Low battery might cause scanner failure, but intermittent drops suggest interference, not power.
- B
The tablets are too far from the barcode scanner.
Why wrong: Range issues would cause complete disconnection, not frequent drops.
- C
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are interfering because both use the 2.4 GHz band.
Both operate in the same frequency; heavy Wi-Fi traffic can cause Bluetooth packet loss and disconnections.
- D
The cloud server is not responding to sync requests.
Why wrong: Server issues would affect data sync, not Bluetooth connectivity.
Question 989 of 1,020
Bluetooth Drops When Wi-Fi Is On: 2.4 GHz Interference
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 inventory management. The tablets need to connect to a Bluetooth barcode scanner and also sync data to a cloud server over Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth connection drops every few minutes. 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 co-channel interference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the 2.4 GHz band. This happens because both technologies share the same unlicensed frequency spectrum, and when a Wi-Fi network is heavily active, its signal can drown out or disrupt Bluetooth’s frequency-hopping transmissions, causing the connection to drop. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless coexistence issues—a common troubleshooting objective where devices like tablets lose Bluetooth sync under heavy Wi-Fi load. A frequent trap is assuming a hardware defect or driver problem, but the real culprit is spectrum congestion. To remember this, think of the 2.4 GHz band as a crowded highway: Wi-Fi is a large truck taking up multiple lanes, while Bluetooth is a small car trying to weave through—when the truck dominates, the car gets blocked. The fix is moving Wi-Fi to the 5 GHz band or leveraging Bluetooth 5’s enhanced co-existence features.
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
✓
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are interfering because both use the 2.4 GHz band.
The most likely cause is that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, and when a tablet is actively using Wi-Fi to sync data to a cloud server, the radio can cause interference with the Bluetooth signal, leading to periodic disconnections. This is a well-known coexistence issue, especially in dense environments where both radios are active simultaneously.
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 barcode scanner's battery is low.
Why it's wrong here
Low battery might cause scanner failure, but intermittent drops suggest interference, not power.
- ✗
The tablets are too far from the barcode scanner.
Why it's wrong here
Range issues would cause complete disconnection, not frequent drops.
- ✓
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are interfering because both use the 2.4 GHz band.
Why this is correct
Both operate in the same frequency; heavy Wi-Fi traffic can cause Bluetooth packet loss and disconnections.
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 cloud server is not responding to sync requests.
Why it's wrong here
Server issues would affect data sync, not Bluetooth connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are completely independent radios, when in fact they share the same 2.4 GHz spectrum and can interfere with each other, especially when both are active simultaneously.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Bluetooth uses Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) to avoid interference, but when Wi-Fi is actively transmitting on a channel that overlaps with Bluetooth's hopset (e.g., Wi-Fi channels 1, 6, or 11), the Bluetooth radio may experience packet loss and retransmissions, causing the connection to drop. In real-world scenarios, enabling Bluetooth coexistence modes in the tablet's Wi-Fi driver or switching the Wi-Fi to the 5 GHz band can resolve this issue without changing hardware.
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.
- →
Mobile Device Connection Methods — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are interfering because both use the 2.4 GHz band. — The most likely cause is that both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, and when a tablet is actively using Wi-Fi to sync data to a cloud server, the radio can cause interference with the Bluetooth signal, leading to periodic disconnections. This is a well-known coexistence issue, especially in dense environments where both radios are active simultaneously.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
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.
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.