- A
A Bluetooth keyboard
Why wrong: A Bluetooth keyboard does not interact with the touchscreen and won't help with annotation tasks.
- B
A fine-point capacitive stylus
A capacitive stylus is designed to work with capacitive touchscreens, providing the necessary conductive tip for accurate input.
- C
A screen protector
Why wrong: A screen protector may protect the screen but does not improve stylus responsiveness; it could even reduce sensitivity.
- D
A passive stylus with a rubber tip
Why wrong: Passive rubber-tipped styluses often don't work well with capacitive screens because they lack conductivity, leading to unresponsive input.
Question 849 of 1,020
Capacitive Stylus Not Working on Tablet: Unresponsive Screen Fix
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device accessories. 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 sales representative reports that their tablet's screen becomes unresponsive when they try to use it with a capacitive stylus. They need to annotate documents during client meetings. Which accessory should you recommend to resolve this issue?
Quick Answer
The answer is a fine-point capacitive stylus. A capacitive touchscreen relies on the electrical conductivity of your finger or a compatible stylus to register touch; a standard passive stylus lacks this conductive tip, which is why the screen remains unresponsive. A fine-point capacitive stylus solves this by providing the necessary conductivity while also offering the precision needed for document annotation. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of touchscreen input technologies and common troubleshooting for mobile devices. A frequent trap is assuming any stylus will work, but the key distinction is that the stylus must be capacitive—not resistive or passive. For a memory tip, remember: “Capacitive needs conductive” to instantly rule out non-conductive accessories.
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
✓
A fine-point capacitive stylus
The issue is that the tablet's screen is unresponsive to the capacitive stylus. A capacitive stylus works by conducting the electrical charge from your finger to the screen. A fine-point capacitive stylus (Option B) provides a more precise tip while still maintaining the necessary conductivity for the touchscreen to register input, allowing the sales representative to annotate documents effectively.
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.
- ✗
A Bluetooth keyboard
Why it's wrong here
A Bluetooth keyboard does not interact with the touchscreen and won't help with annotation tasks.
- ✓
A fine-point capacitive stylus
Why this is correct
A capacitive stylus is designed to work with capacitive touchscreens, providing the necessary conductive tip for accurate input.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A screen protector
Why it's wrong here
A screen protector may protect the screen but does not improve stylus responsiveness; it could even reduce sensitivity.
- ✗
A passive stylus with a rubber tip
Why it's wrong here
Passive rubber-tipped styluses often don't work well with capacitive screens because they lack conductivity, leading to unresponsive input.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse a passive stylus with a rubber tip (Option D) as a universal solution for all touchscreens, not realizing that capacitive screens require a conductive stylus, whereas rubber-tip styluses are for resistive screens.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Capacitive touchscreens detect touch by measuring changes in capacitance caused by a conductive object, such as a finger or a specialized capacitive stylus. The stylus must have a conductive tip (often made of conductive rubber or mesh) to mimic the electrical properties of human skin. A fine-point capacitive stylus improves precision for tasks like annotation, while a passive rubber-tip stylus (often used with older resistive screens) will not trigger the capacitive sensor because it does not conduct electricity.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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Mobile Device Accessories — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Accessories — This question tests Mobile Device Accessories — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A fine-point capacitive stylus — The issue is that the tablet's screen is unresponsive to the capacitive stylus. A capacitive stylus works by conducting the electrical charge from your finger to the screen. A fine-point capacitive stylus (Option B) provides a more precise tip while still maintaining the necessary conductivity for the touchscreen to register input, allowing the sales representative to annotate documents effectively.
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.
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. A technician is setting up a new tablet for a field worker who needs to capture signatures from customers. The tablet has a standard USB-C port. Which accessory is most appropriate for this task?
easy- A.A Bluetooth keyboard for typing notes.
- ✓ B.A capacitive stylus with a fine tip.
- C.A USB-C to HDMI adapter for external display.
- D.A screen protector to prevent scratches.
Why B: A capacitive stylus with a fine tip (Option B) is the most appropriate accessory because it allows the field worker to accurately capture signatures on the tablet's touchscreen. Capacitive styluses work by mimicking the electrical properties of a human finger, and a fine tip provides the precision needed for signature capture without relying on a digitizer or active pen protocol.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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