- A
The laptop's graphics driver
Why wrong: A graphics driver issue would typically affect both the internal display and external monitor, not just one.
- B
The HDMI cable
Why wrong: The customer already tried a different cable, so the cable is not the cause.
- C
The external monitor
Why wrong: The customer tried a different monitor with the same result, ruling out the monitor.
- D
The laptop's HDMI port
Since the internal display works and swapping cable/monitor didn't help, the HDMI port is the remaining variable.
Question 721 of 1,020
External Monitor Flickers: Is It the HDMI Port?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. 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 reports that their external monitor connected via HDMI flickers intermittently. They have tried a different HDMI cable and a different monitor, but the issue persists. The laptop display works fine. Which component is most likely causing the problem?
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 the laptop’s HDMI port. This is correct because the flickering issue persists even after swapping both the HDMI cable and the external monitor, which isolates the fault to the laptop’s output hardware. Since the laptop’s built-in display works fine, the problem is not with the graphics card or drivers, but with the physical HDMI port itself—likely a loose connection, bent pin, or damaged solder joint. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to use process of elimination to isolate a faulty display output port, a common troubleshooting step in the 2.0 Networking and 3.0 Hardware domains. A frequent trap is assuming the cable or monitor is always the culprit, but the key clue is that the flicker follows the laptop, not the peripherals. Remember the mnemonic: “Swap the cable, swap the screen, if it still flickers, the port’s the fiend.”
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 laptop's HDMI port
Since the issue persists after swapping both the HDMI cable and the external monitor, the problem is isolated to the laptop's HDMI port. A faulty or damaged HDMI port can cause intermittent signal loss due to poor physical contact, bent pins, or internal solder fractures, leading to flickering. The laptop's internal display works fine, ruling out the graphics driver as the primary cause.
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 laptop's graphics driver
Why it's wrong here
A graphics driver issue would typically affect both the internal display and external monitor, not just one.
- ✗
The HDMI cable
Why it's wrong here
The customer already tried a different cable, so the cable is not the cause.
- ✗
The external monitor
Why it's wrong here
The customer tried a different monitor with the same result, ruling out the monitor.
- ✓
The laptop's HDMI port
Why this is correct
Since the internal display works and swapping cable/monitor didn't help, the HDMI port is the remaining variable.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may incorrectly blame the graphics driver because they assume external display issues are always software-related, ignoring the physical integrity of the port. In CompTIA A+ troubleshooting, it's important to isolate the problem by swapping known-good components before concluding.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HDMI uses TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) for video transmission, which relies on precise impedance matching and solid physical connections. A damaged HDMI port can introduce signal reflections or intermittent shorts on the TMDS clock or data lanes, causing the display to lose sync and flicker. In real-world scenarios, repeated plugging/unplugging or strain on the port can wear down the connector's spring contacts, leading to intermittent failures that are hard to diagnose without a multimeter or loopback test.
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.
- →
Display Devices — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Display Devices practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop's HDMI port — Since the issue persists after swapping both the HDMI cable and the external monitor, the problem is isolated to the laptop's HDMI port. A faulty or damaged HDMI port can cause intermittent signal loss due to poor physical contact, bent pins, or internal solder fractures, leading to flickering. The laptop's internal display works fine, ruling out the graphics driver as the primary cause.
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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