- A
Replace the laptop's battery
Why wrong: A faulty battery might not hold a charge, but it would not prevent the charging LED from lighting when the adapter is plugged in.
- B
Test the DC jack for continuity
A broken DC jack or loose connection can interrupt power delivery even if the adapter is good. Checking continuity verifies the path from jack to motherboard.
- C
Update the laptop's BIOS
Why wrong: A BIOS update is unlikely to resolve a hardware power delivery issue, especially when the adapter is known to output voltage.
- D
Replace the AC adapter with a universal one
Why wrong: Since the original adapter outputs correct voltage, replacing it is unnecessary and would not fix a broken DC jack.
Question 238 of 1,020
Laptop Not Charging: AC Adapter Voltage OK — Next Step
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile devices 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 customer brings in a laptop that will not charge. The technician checks the AC adapter with a multimeter and gets 19V output. When the adapter is plugged into the laptop, the charging LED does not illuminate. What should the technician check next?
Quick Answer
The answer is to test the DC jack for continuity. Since the AC adapter voltage is confirmed at 19V, the power supply itself is functional, meaning the fault lies within the laptop’s internal power delivery path. The DC jack is a common failure point on laptops due to mechanical stress from repeated plugging and unplugging, which can crack solder joints or break internal wiring, preventing voltage from reaching the motherboard even when the adapter is seated. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate power issues systematically; a common trap is assuming the adapter is bad when voltage is present, but the real clue is the charging LED not illuminating. Remember the mnemonic “Voltage Verified, Jack Justified” — if the adapter outputs correct voltage but the laptop won’t charge, always suspect the DC jack first.
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
✓
Test the DC jack for continuity
Since the AC adapter is outputting correct voltage, the issue is likely in the power delivery path. The DC jack is a common failure point due to mechanical stress or broken solder joints. Testing continuity at the jack is a logical next step.
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.
- ✗
Replace the laptop's battery
Why it's wrong here
A faulty battery might not hold a charge, but it would not prevent the charging LED from lighting when the adapter is plugged in.
- ✓
Test the DC jack for continuity
Why this is correct
A broken DC jack or loose connection can interrupt power delivery even if the adapter is good. Checking continuity verifies the path from jack to motherboard.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Update the laptop's BIOS
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS update is unlikely to resolve a hardware power delivery issue, especially when the adapter is known to output voltage.
- ✗
Replace the AC adapter with a universal one
Why it's wrong here
Since the original adapter outputs correct voltage, replacing it is unnecessary and would not fix a broken DC jack.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A BIOS update is unlikely to resolve a hardware power delivery issue, especially when the adapter is known to output voltage.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Test the DC jack for continuity — Since the AC adapter is outputting correct voltage, the issue is likely in the power delivery path. The DC jack is a common failure point due to mechanical stress or broken solder joints. Testing continuity at the jack is a logical next step.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 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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