- A
The monitor's resolution is set incorrectly.
Why wrong: Resolution issues cause blurriness or scaling problems, not a fixed dark shadow.
- B
The video cable is loose or damaged.
Why wrong: A loose cable would cause flickering, no signal, or artifacts, not a persistent shadow.
- C
The monitor's backlight has failed partially.
Partial backlight failure creates dark areas; since it's consistent across inputs, the backlight or panel is faulty.
- D
The graphics card is overheating and throttling.
Why wrong: GPU overheating would affect the entire display or cause crashes, not a localized shadow.
Question 615 of 1,020
LCD Monitor Dark Shadow: Backlight Failure
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 complains that their LCD monitor shows a persistent dark shadow in the upper-left corner that does not change with different input sources. The monitor is three years old. 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 a partial backlight failure. This is correct because an LCD monitor relies on a uniform backlight to illuminate the liquid crystal layer; when one or more LEDs in the backlight array fail, they create a persistent dark shadow in a fixed location, and since the LCD panel itself is still functioning, the shadow remains unchanged when you switch input sources. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between backlight issues and panel damage—a common trap is assuming a stuck pixel or video cable problem, but a shadow that stays put regardless of input points squarely to the backlight. Remember that backlight LEDs degrade over time, especially in three-year-old monitors, and the standard fix is replacement because repairing the backlight is rarely cost-effective. A helpful memory tip: “Shadow stays, backlight decays.”
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 monitor's backlight has failed partially.
A dark shadow that stays in the same spot regardless of input indicates a hardware defect, typically backlight failure or a damaged LCD panel. Backlight LEDs can fail over time, creating uneven illumination. Replacing the monitor is the standard fix because panel repair is often cost-prohibitive.
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 monitor's resolution is set incorrectly.
Why it's wrong here
Resolution issues cause blurriness or scaling problems, not a fixed dark shadow.
- ✗
The video cable is loose or damaged.
Why it's wrong here
A loose cable would cause flickering, no signal, or artifacts, not a persistent shadow.
- ✓
The monitor's backlight has failed partially.
Why this is correct
Partial backlight failure creates dark areas; since it's consistent across inputs, the backlight or panel is faulty.
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 graphics card is overheating and throttling.
Why it's wrong here
GPU overheating would affect the entire display or cause crashes, not a localized shadow.
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.
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.
- →
Display Devices Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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Display Devices Troubleshooting practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Display Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Display Devices Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The monitor's backlight has failed partially. — A dark shadow that stays in the same spot regardless of input indicates a hardware defect, typically backlight failure or a damaged LCD panel. Backlight LEDs can fail over time, creating uneven illumination. Replacing the monitor is the standard fix because panel repair is often cost-prohibitive.
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.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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