- A
Discard it as it is not needed for the screen replacement.
Why wrong: This component is necessary as it secures the battery connector. Discarding it could lead to loose connections and intermittent power issues.
- B
Reattach it using double-sided adhesive tape.
The battery connector bracket is typically held in place with adhesive. Using double-sided tape is appropriate to restore proper mechanical stability without heat damage.
- C
Solder it back onto the motherboard.
Why wrong: Soldering is not required because the component is a battery connector bracket typically held down with adhesive, not solder. Attempting to solder it could damage the motherboard or battery circuits.
- D
Leave it loose; it will not affect screen operation.
Why wrong: Leaving it loose may cause the battery connector to dislodge, leading to intermittent shutdowns or charging failures. It should be reattached with adhesive.
Reattaching a Loose Vibrator Motor in a Smartphone
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device hardware servicing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 replacing a cracked screen on a smartphone. After removing the old screen, they notice a small, flat, rectangular component with a metal shield is loose near the battery connector. What should they do?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to reattach it using double-sided adhesive tape. This small, flat, rectangular component with a metal shield is the vibrator motor, which is commonly secured with adhesive inside the chassis to prevent rattling and ensure proper vibration function. During a smartphone screen replacement, the motor can become dislodged when the old screen is pried away, and failing to resecure it will lead to customer complaints about missing vibration alerts. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your knowledge of smartphone hardware disassembly and the importance of reattaching loose components—a common trap is to assume the part is broken or should be discarded. A helpful memory tip: think of the vibrator as a tiny speaker that needs to be glued down, not thrown away.
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
Reattach it using double-sided adhesive tape.
The loose component is a battery connector bracket or grounding clip, which is typically secured with adhesive to prevent the battery connector from dislodging. Reattaching it with double-sided adhesive tape restores mechanical stability without soldering, as these parts are not soldered to the motherboard. This ensures reliable power delivery and prevents intermittent shutdowns or charging 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.
- ✗
Discard it as it is not needed for the screen replacement.
Why it's wrong here
This component is necessary as it secures the battery connector. Discarding it could lead to loose connections and intermittent power issues.
- ✓
Reattach it using double-sided adhesive tape.
Why this is correct
The battery connector bracket is typically held in place with adhesive. Using double-sided tape is appropriate to restore proper mechanical stability without heat damage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Solder it back onto the motherboard.
Why it's wrong here
Soldering is not required because the component is a battery connector bracket typically held down with adhesive, not solder. Attempting to solder it could damage the motherboard or battery circuits.
- ✗
Leave it loose; it will not affect screen operation.
Why it's wrong here
Leaving it loose may cause the battery connector to dislodge, leading to intermittent shutdowns or charging failures. It should be reattached with adhesive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that any loose metal component must be soldered back, when in fact many smartphone components are secured with adhesive to avoid heat damage to sensitive battery circuits.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In smartphone design, battery connector brackets are often made of stamped metal with a thin adhesive backing to hold the connector firmly against the motherboard’s spring contacts. This prevents micro-movements that can cause intermittent connectivity, especially in devices with high-vibration environments like those used in automotive mounts. The metal shield also serves as an EMI shield for the battery management IC, so its absence could introduce noise into the power rail.
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.
- →
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — This question tests Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Reattach it using double-sided adhesive tape. — The loose component is a battery connector bracket or grounding clip, which is typically secured with adhesive to prevent the battery connector from dislodging. Reattaching it with double-sided adhesive tape restores mechanical stability without soldering, as these parts are not soldered to the motherboard. This ensures reliable power delivery and prevents intermittent shutdowns or charging 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.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.