- A
The 5 GHz SSID is hidden
Why wrong: A hidden SSID still appears as 'Hidden Network' in scans; the TV would at least detect an unnamed network.
- B
The TV’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz
If the TV only has a 2.4 GHz radio, it cannot detect 5 GHz networks at all, explaining the symptom.
- C
The 5 GHz channel is set to a DFS channel
Why wrong: DFS channels can cause delays but not complete invisibility; the TV would still see the network after a radar check.
- D
The router’s 5 GHz radio is faulty
Why wrong: If the 5 GHz radio were faulty, no device would see the network, but the problem is isolated to the TV.
Question 1,015 of 1,020
Smart TV Cannot See 5 GHz Network: Device Compatibility Issue
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of wireless networking technologies. 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 calls to say their new smart TV can see the 2.4 GHz network but not the 5 GHz network, even though the router is dual-band. The technician checks the router settings and confirms both bands are enabled and broadcasting. What is the most likely reason the TV cannot see the 5 GHz network?
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 TV’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz. This is the most likely reason because a device must have a dual-band or 5‑GHz‑capable radio to detect and connect to a 5 GHz network; if the adapter only operates on 2.4 GHz, the 5 GHz band will remain invisible regardless of router settings. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless standards and device compatibility—a common trap is assuming the router is misconfigured when the real issue is the client hardware. Remember that many budget or older smart TVs, IoT devices, and entry‑level laptops ship with 2.4‑GHz‑only adapters to reduce cost. A quick memory tip: “5 GHz needs a 5‑capable card”—if the device’s specs don’t list 802.11a, ac, or ax support, it cannot see that band.
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 TV’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz
Option B is correct because the most common reason a device sees only the 2.4 GHz band is that its wireless adapter lacks 5 GHz support. Many older or budget smart TVs ship with single-band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi chipsets, so even though the router broadcasts both bands, the TV’s hardware cannot detect or connect to the 5 GHz network.
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 5 GHz SSID is hidden
Why it's wrong here
A hidden SSID still appears as 'Hidden Network' in scans; the TV would at least detect an unnamed network.
- ✓
The TV’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz
Why this is correct
If the TV only has a 2.4 GHz radio, it cannot detect 5 GHz networks at all, explaining the symptom.
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 5 GHz channel is set to a DFS channel
Why it's wrong here
DFS channels can cause delays but not complete invisibility; the TV would still see the network after a radar check.
- ✗
The router’s 5 GHz radio is faulty
Why it's wrong here
If the 5 GHz radio were faulty, no device would see the network, but the problem is isolated to the TV.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap in this question is that candidates often overthink and look for advanced reasons like hidden SSIDs or DFS channels, when the most straightforward explanation is a hardware compatibility issue: the TV's wireless adapter simply does not support the 5 GHz band.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
5 GHz Wi-Fi uses higher frequencies (5.15–5.85 GHz) that require more complex RF circuitry and support for 802.11a/n/ac/ax, whereas 2.4 GHz (2.4–2.4835 GHz) is simpler and backward-compatible with older 802.11b/g/n. Many IoT devices, including smart TVs, are designed with single-band 2.4 GHz chipsets to reduce cost and power consumption, even when the router is dual-band. In practice, a device that only supports 2.4 GHz will not even scan or list 5 GHz SSIDs in its available network list, regardless of router settings.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
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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Wireless Networking Technologies — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Wireless Networking Technologies — This question tests Wireless Networking Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The TV’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz — Option B is correct because the most common reason a device sees only the 2.4 GHz band is that its wireless adapter lacks 5 GHz support. Many older or budget smart TVs ship with single-band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi chipsets, so even though the router broadcasts both bands, the TV’s hardware cannot detect or connect to the 5 GHz network.
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
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