- A
Disable the 2.4 GHz radio completely.
Why wrong: Disabling 2.4 GHz would prevent older devices that only support 2.4 GHz from connecting, causing connectivity issues.
- B
Enable band steering on the access point.
Band steering pushes dual-band clients to the 5 GHz band, reducing congestion on 2.4 GHz and improving speeds.
- C
Set the 2.4 GHz channel to a non-overlapping channel like 1, 6, or 11.
Why wrong: Channel selection reduces interference but does not prevent devices from preferring 2.4 GHz over 5 GHz.
- D
Increase the transmit power of the 5 GHz radio.
Why wrong: Higher power may extend range but does not force clients to choose 5 GHz; band steering is needed for that.
Question 106 of 1,020
Band Steering: How to Prioritize 5 GHz for Dual-Band Devices
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of wireless networking technologies. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 small business has a single access point that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Employees report that their smartphones connect to the 2.4 GHz band, causing slow internet speeds. Which configuration change should the technician make to prioritize 5 GHz for capable devices?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to enable band steering on the access point. Band steering is a feature that actively monitors dual-band client devices and encourages them to connect to the less congested 5 GHz band rather than defaulting to the 2.4 GHz band, which is often slower and more prone to interference. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless configuration options and how to optimize network performance for dual-band devices. A common trap is confusing band steering with simply disabling the 2.4 GHz radio, which would break connectivity for older single-band devices. Remember the memory tip: “Steer to the clearer gear” — band steering guides capable clients to the faster 5 GHz channel without forcing the change.
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
✓
Enable band steering on the access point.
Band steering (also called client steering) is the correct solution because it actively encourages dual-band clients to connect to the less congested 5 GHz band by manipulating probe responses and beacon timing, without disabling the 2.4 GHz radio for legacy devices. This directly addresses the problem of smartphones preferring the 2.4 GHz band due to its stronger signal, while still allowing older 2.4 GHz-only devices to connect.
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.
- ✗
Disable the 2.4 GHz radio completely.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling 2.4 GHz would prevent older devices that only support 2.4 GHz from connecting, causing connectivity issues.
- ✓
Enable band steering on the access point.
Why this is correct
Band steering pushes dual-band clients to the 5 GHz band, reducing congestion on 2.4 GHz and improving speeds.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the 2.4 GHz channel to a non-overlapping channel like 1, 6, or 11.
Why it's wrong here
Channel selection reduces interference but does not prevent devices from preferring 2.4 GHz over 5 GHz.
- ✗
Increase the transmit power of the 5 GHz radio.
Why it's wrong here
Higher power may extend range but does not force clients to choose 5 GHz; band steering is needed for that.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap is to think that increasing 5 GHz transmit power or changing 2.4 GHz channels will fix client band preference, when the real solution is a client-steering mechanism like band steering.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Band steering works by the access point selectively delaying or dropping probe responses on the 2.4 GHz radio for clients that have already been heard on the 5 GHz radio, effectively 'nudging' them to the 5 GHz band. This is often implemented using a whitelist of known dual-band clients and a timer-based algorithm; if the client does not associate on 5 GHz within a few seconds, the AP will eventually respond on 2.4 GHz to avoid a connectivity failure. In real-world deployments, band steering can be tricky with Apple iOS devices, which aggressively prefer 2.4 GHz if the 5 GHz signal is below a certain threshold, requiring careful tuning of RSSI thresholds.
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
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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: Enable band steering on the access point. — Band steering (also called client steering) is the correct solution because it actively encourages dual-band clients to connect to the less congested 5 GHz band by manipulating probe responses and beacon timing, without disabling the 2.4 GHz radio for legacy devices. This directly addresses the problem of smartphones preferring the 2.4 GHz band due to its stronger signal, while still allowing older 2.4 GHz-only devices to connect.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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