- A
Verify that the tablet's Wi-Fi is enabled.
Why wrong: The tablet uses cellular data, so Wi-Fi is not required for VPN connectivity.
- B
Check the VPN server address and authentication credentials.
Incorrect server address or credentials are the most common reasons for VPN failure, preventing the secure tunnel from forming.
- C
Ensure the tablet's date and time are set automatically.
Why wrong: While incorrect time can affect certificate validation, it is less likely than wrong credentials and is not the first check.
- D
Disable the firewall on the tablet.
Why wrong: Tablet firewalls are rare and not the primary cause; disabling them is not a standard troubleshooting step.
Question 869 of 1,020
VPN Not Working on Android Tablet Over Cellular: Troubleshooting
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device network connectivity. 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 tablet for a field worker who needs to use a VPN to access internal resources. The tablet connects to the internet via cellular data. After setting up the VPN, the user cannot access any internal websites. 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 VPN server address and authentication credentials first. This is the correct initial step because if the server address is mistyped or the username and password are incorrect, the VPN tunnel cannot establish at all, preventing any traffic from reaching internal resources. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize basic configuration errors over more complex issues like DNS or routing, especially when a VPN is not working on an Android tablet over cellular data. A common trap is jumping to DNS settings or APN configurations, but the exam emphasizes that authentication and server address are the most frequent causes of a failed connection. Remember the mnemonic “SAC” — Server, Authentication, Credentials — to recall the first three things to verify when a VPN tunnel won’t form.
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 VPN server address and authentication credentials.
The most common cause of VPN connectivity failure after initial setup is incorrect server address or authentication credentials. Since the tablet connects via cellular data (not Wi-Fi), the VPN must be reachable over the internet; a typo in the server hostname/IP or wrong username/password/PSK will prevent the tunnel from establishing, blocking access to internal resources.
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 tablet's Wi-Fi is enabled.
Why it's wrong here
The tablet uses cellular data, so Wi-Fi is not required for VPN connectivity.
- ✓
Check the VPN server address and authentication credentials.
Why this is correct
Incorrect server address or credentials are the most common reasons for VPN failure, preventing the secure tunnel from forming.
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 tablet's date and time are set automatically.
Why it's wrong here
While incorrect time can affect certificate validation, it is less likely than wrong credentials and is not the first check.
- ✗
Disable the firewall on the tablet.
Why it's wrong here
Tablet firewalls are rare and not the primary cause; disabling them is not a standard troubleshooting step.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a network-level issue (like Wi-Fi or firewall) is the cause, when the real problem is almost always a misconfigured VPN server address or credentials, especially after a fresh setup.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPNs like IPsec or SSL/TLS rely on correct server endpoints and mutual authentication; for example, an IKEv2 tunnel will fail if the server address is unreachable or the pre-shared key is mismatched. In enterprise environments, field workers often use Always-On VPN profiles pushed via MDM, but manual setup errors (e.g., missing a trailing dot in the FQDN) are common. Checking the VPN logs (e.g., via Android's 'VPN diagnostics' or logcat) can reveal specific error codes like IKE_AUTH_FAILURE or CERT_E_UNTRUSTEDROOT.
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.
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Mobile Device Network Connectivity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Network Connectivity — This question tests Mobile Device Network Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the VPN server address and authentication credentials. — The most common cause of VPN connectivity failure after initial setup is incorrect server address or authentication credentials. Since the tablet connects via cellular data (not Wi-Fi), the VPN must be reachable over the internet; a typo in the server hostname/IP or wrong username/password/PSK will prevent the tunnel from establishing, blocking access to internal resources.
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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