- A
DNS
Why wrong: DNS resolves domain names to IP addresses, but without a valid IP address from DHCP, DNS is irrelevant.
- B
DHCP
DHCP automatically assigns IP configuration; if the laptop's DHCP client is disabled or misconfigured, it won't get a usable IP address, causing no internet.
- C
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is an application protocol for web browsing; it depends on lower-layer connectivity and IP configuration.
- D
ARP
Why wrong: ARP resolves MAC addresses to IP addresses on the local network, but it does not provide IP configuration.
Question 802 of 1,020
DHCP Misconfiguration: Laptop Connects to Wi-Fi but No Internet
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network protocols. 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 new laptop cannot connect to the internet at a coffee shop, but their smartphone works fine. The technician checks the laptop's network settings and sees the Wi-Fi adapter is enabled and connected to the correct SSID. Which protocol is most likely not configured correctly on the laptop?
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 DHCP, as the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is the most likely misconfiguration causing a laptop to connect to Wi-Fi but have no internet access. When a device joins a network, DHCP is responsible for automatically assigning a valid IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server; without these, the laptop can associate with the access point but cannot route traffic to the internet. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how network connectivity depends on proper IP configuration, often appearing as a troubleshooting question where the smartphone works (proving the router and ISP are fine) while the laptop fails. A common trap is to blame the Wi-Fi adapter or SSID, but the key clue is that the laptop shows a connected status yet has no data flow—pointing directly to a missing or misconfigured DHCP client. Memory tip: think “DHCP gives the keys to the car—no IP, no drive.”
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
✓
DHCP
The laptop is connected to the Wi-Fi network (SSID) and the adapter is enabled, but it cannot access the internet. This indicates the laptop likely failed to obtain an IP address and other network configuration parameters from the coffee shop's router. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is responsible for automatically assigning an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. If DHCP is misconfigured or the laptop's DHCP client is disabled or not functioning, the device will not receive a valid IP address and thus cannot route traffic to the internet, even though the Wi-Fi link is established.
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.
- ✗
DNS
- ✓
DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP automatically assigns IP configuration; if the laptop's DHCP client is disabled or misconfigured, it won't get a usable IP address, causing no internet.
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.
- ✗
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is an application protocol for web browsing; it depends on lower-layer connectivity and IP configuration.
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP resolves MAC addresses to IP addresses on the local network, but it does not provide IP configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between 'connected to the Wi-Fi' (Layer 2 association) and 'having internet access' (Layer 3 IP configuration), leading candidates to mistakenly focus on DNS or HTTP when the real issue is DHCP failing to provide a valid IP address.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DHCP operates on UDP ports 67 (server) and 68 (client) and uses a four-step handshake: DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, ACK. If the laptop's firewall blocks DHCP broadcasts or the client service is disabled, the DORA process fails, leaving the laptop with an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address in the 169.254.x.x range, which cannot route to the internet. In a coffee shop scenario, the router's DHCP pool may be exhausted or the laptop's MAC address might be filtered, but the most common misconfiguration is the DHCP client service not running or the network adapter set to a static IP.
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.
Visual reference
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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Network Protocols — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Protocols — This question tests Network Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP — The laptop is connected to the Wi-Fi network (SSID) and the adapter is enabled, but it cannot access the internet. This indicates the laptop likely failed to obtain an IP address and other network configuration parameters from the coffee shop's router. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is responsible for automatically assigning an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. If DHCP is misconfigured or the laptop's DHCP client is disabled or not functioning, the device will not receive a valid IP address and thus cannot route traffic to the internet, even though the Wi-Fi link is established.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a network upgrade, a technician needs to ensure that all devices on a small office LAN receive IP addresses automatically from a central server. Which protocol must be running on that server?
easy- A.DNS
- B.HTTP
- ✓ C.DHCP
- D.FTP
Why C: The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is the correct answer because it is specifically designed to automatically assign IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and other network configuration parameters to devices on a LAN. A DHCP server listens on UDP port 67 and responds to client requests on UDP port 68, enabling zero-touch IP configuration for all devices on the network.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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