- A
Verify that the VPN is connected and routing traffic correctly.
Why wrong: While VPN issues could affect email, the fact that receiving works suggests the VPN is functional for at least some traffic.
- B
Check the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings in the Gmail app.
Outgoing mail requires proper SMTP server address, port, and authentication; misconfiguration here prevents sending but not receiving.
- C
Ensure the device has enough free storage space.
Why wrong: Low storage might cause app crashes or slow performance, but not a specific inability to send emails while receiving works.
- D
Reinstall the Gmail app from the Play Store.
Why wrong: Reinstalling is unnecessary; the issue is likely a configuration error, not app corruption.
Question 912 of 1,020
Android Gmail App Cannot Send Email
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device application support. 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 technician is configuring a company-issued Android phone for a remote employee. The employee needs to access corporate email via the Gmail app and use a VPN for secure connections. After setup, the user cannot send emails from the Gmail app, but can receive them. What should the technician check first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The answer is to check the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings in the Gmail app. This is correct because email sending and receiving rely on separate protocols: SMTP handles outgoing messages, while IMAP or POP manages incoming ones. If a device can receive but not send, the SMTP server address, port, or authentication credentials are almost certainly misconfigured, whereas the incoming settings are fine. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of mobile email configuration and troubleshooting, often appearing as a trap where test-takers mistakenly check the VPN or incoming server first. Remember that a VPN issue would typically block both sending and receiving, not just one direction. A useful memory tip: “SMTP Sends, IMAP Receives”—if you can get mail but not send it, always start with the SMTP settings.
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
✓
Check the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings in the Gmail app.
The Gmail app on Android uses SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for sending emails. Since the user can receive emails (IMAP/POP works) but cannot send, the most likely cause is incorrect SMTP server settings—such as the server address, port (e.g., 587 with STARTTLS), or authentication credentials. The technician should verify these outgoing mail server configurations first, as they are independent of VPN connectivity or storage issues.
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.
- ✗
Verify that the VPN is connected and routing traffic correctly.
Why it's wrong here
While VPN issues could affect email, the fact that receiving works suggests the VPN is functional for at least some traffic.
- ✓
Check the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings in the Gmail app.
Why this is correct
Outgoing mail requires proper SMTP server address, port, and authentication; misconfiguration here prevents sending but not receiving.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ensure the device has enough free storage space.
Why it's wrong here
Low storage might cause app crashes or slow performance, but not a specific inability to send emails while receiving works.
- ✗
Reinstall the Gmail app from the Play Store.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling is unnecessary; the issue is likely a configuration error, not app corruption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between incoming (IMAP/POP) and outgoing (SMTP) mail protocols, trapping candidates who assume a network-level issue (VPN) when the problem is specific to the mail submission path.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SMTP is a push protocol that requires authentication and a valid relay server; common ports are 587 (submission) with STARTTLS or 465 (SMTPS). The Gmail app stores these settings in its account configuration, and a mismatch—like using port 25 without encryption or an incorrect server hostname—will cause send failures while leaving IMAP/POP receive functionality intact. In enterprise environments, the SMTP server may also require app-specific passwords or OAuth tokens, which can expire independently of the VPN tunnel.
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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Application Support — This question tests Mobile Device Application Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the outgoing mail server (SMTP) settings in the Gmail app. — The Gmail app on Android uses SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for sending emails. Since the user can receive emails (IMAP/POP works) but cannot send, the most likely cause is incorrect SMTP server settings—such as the server address, port (e.g., 587 with STARTTLS), or authentication credentials. The technician should verify these outgoing mail server configurations first, as they are independent of VPN connectivity or storage issues.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
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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