- A
The charging port flex cable.
Why wrong: The charging port flex typically handles power and data, not audio routing.
- B
The mainboard audio IC (codec).
The audio IC controls which speaker receives sound; a fault here can disable the earpiece while leaving the loudspeaker functional.
- C
The SIM card slot.
Why wrong: SIM slot only handles network identification, not audio.
- D
The battery connector.
Why wrong: Battery connector issues would cause power problems, not selective audio failure.
Question 565 of 1,020
Smartphone Earpiece Not Working but Loudspeaker Works: Audio IC Failure
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 servicing a smartphone with a non-functional earpiece speaker during calls, but the loudspeaker works fine. After testing, the earpiece speaker itself is determined to be good. Which component is most likely faulty?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is a faulty mainboard audio IC (codec). This is correct because the audio IC is the component responsible for routing audio signals to the correct output path—the earpiece during calls versus the loudspeaker for media or speakerphone. When a smartphone earpiece is not working but the loudspeaker works, and the earpiece speaker itself has been tested and confirmed good, the logical failure point is the audio IC or its supporting traces on the mainboard; the loudspeaker’s functionality proves the audio amplification and signal generation are intact, isolating the issue to the switching or routing logic within the codec. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between a failed component and a failed connection, with a common trap being to replace the earpiece speaker unnecessarily. A useful memory tip: think of the audio IC as a railroad switch—if the train (audio signal) reaches the loudspeaker track but not the earpiece track, the switch itself is broken.
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
✓
The mainboard audio IC (codec).
Since the earpiece speaker itself is confirmed good, the fault lies in the signal path between the mainboard and the speaker. The audio IC (codec) on the mainboard is responsible for processing and routing the audio signal specifically to the earpiece during calls. A failure in this component would prevent the earpiece from working while the loudspeaker, which uses a separate audio path, remains functional.
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.
- ✗
The charging port flex cable.
Why it's wrong here
The charging port flex typically handles power and data, not audio routing.
- ✓
The mainboard audio IC (codec).
Why this is correct
The audio IC controls which speaker receives sound; a fault here can disable the earpiece while leaving the loudspeaker functional.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The SIM card slot.
Why it's wrong here
SIM slot only handles network identification, not audio.
- ✗
The battery connector.
Why it's wrong here
Battery connector issues would cause power problems, not selective audio failure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that a non-functional earpiece must be caused by a physical speaker failure, leading candidates to overlook the audio IC as the root cause when the speaker tests good.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In modern smartphones, the audio codec (often integrated into the main SoC or a separate chip like the Qualcomm WCD series) manages multiple audio channels: earpiece, loudspeaker, microphone, and headset. The earpiece path typically uses a dedicated DAC and amplifier stage within the codec; a failure in this specific channel can cause the earpiece to be silent while other audio outputs remain unaffected. In real-world repair, this is often confirmed by measuring continuity and voltage at the earpiece connector pins while the phone is in a call.
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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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: The mainboard audio IC (codec). — Since the earpiece speaker itself is confirmed good, the fault lies in the signal path between the mainboard and the speaker. The audio IC (codec) on the mainboard is responsible for processing and routing the audio signal specifically to the earpiece during calls. A failure in this component would prevent the earpiece from working while the loudspeaker, which uses a separate audio path, remains functional.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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