- A
Replace the LCD screen assembly.
Why wrong: The tablet does not power on at all (no vibration, no sound), not just a black screen. The LCD is not the cause of a complete power failure.
- B
Replace the motherboard.
Why wrong: Motherboard failure is possible but less likely than a simple connection issue. The technician should check simpler components first.
- C
Reseat or replace the power button flex cable.
A loose or damaged power button flex cable can prevent the power button from sending the signal to the motherboard, even if the button feels normal.
- D
Perform a hard reset by holding the power and volume buttons for 30 seconds.
Why wrong: A hard reset is a software troubleshooting step, but the technician has already confirmed the battery is charged and the button feels normal. The issue is likely hardware, not software.
Tablet Not Powering On: Power Button Flex Cable Diagnosis
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 tablet that will not power on. The technician has confirmed the battery is charged by testing it with a multimeter (voltage within spec). The power button feels normal when pressed. What is the most likely hardware component that has failed, and how should it be addressed?
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 to reseat or replace the power button flex cable. This is correct because when a tablet is not powering on despite a confirmed charged battery and a physically normal power button, the electrical pathway between the button and the motherboard is the most likely failure point; the flex cable can develop internal breaks or become loose from its connector over time. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate a hardware fault beyond the obvious battery or button, and a common trap is assuming the power button itself is defective when it feels fine—remember that the flex cable, not the button, carries the signal. For a memory tip, think “Flex first, button last” to recall that the thin, fragile cable is the weak link in the power-on circuit.
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
Reseat or replace the power button flex cable.
The power button flex cable is the most likely failed component because the battery is confirmed good (voltage within spec) and the power button itself feels normal, indicating the button mechanism is intact but the electrical connection to the motherboard is broken. Reseating or replacing the flex cable restores the circuit that signals the power management IC to initiate boot, which is a common failure point in tablets due to flex cable wear or loose connection.
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.
- ✗
Replace the LCD screen assembly.
Why it's wrong here
The tablet does not power on at all (no vibration, no sound), not just a black screen. The LCD is not the cause of a complete power failure.
- ✗
Replace the motherboard.
Why it's wrong here
Motherboard failure is possible but less likely than a simple connection issue. The technician should check simpler components first.
- ✓
Reseat or replace the power button flex cable.
Why this is correct
A loose or damaged power button flex cable can prevent the power button from sending the signal to the motherboard, even if the button feels normal.
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.
- ✗
Perform a hard reset by holding the power and volume buttons for 30 seconds.
Why it's wrong here
A hard reset is a software troubleshooting step, but the technician has already confirmed the battery is charged and the button feels normal. The issue is likely hardware, not software.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a 'normal-feeling' power button means the entire button circuit is working, when in fact the flex cable can fail internally or at the connector while the button dome remains physically intact.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The power button flex cable carries a momentary switch signal to the PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) via a dedicated GPIO pin; when the cable is damaged or loose, the PMIC never receives the 'power-on' edge trigger, so the device remains in a deep-off state. In many tablets, this flex cable is a thin, ribbon-style connector that can develop micro-fractures from repeated pressing or slight chassis flex, making it a known failure point even when the button itself feels mechanically fine.
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.
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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: Reseat or replace the power button flex cable. — The power button flex cable is the most likely failed component because the battery is confirmed good (voltage within spec) and the power button itself feels normal, indicating the button mechanism is intact but the electrical connection to the motherboard is broken. Reseating or replacing the flex cable restores the circuit that signals the power management IC to initiate boot, which is a common failure point in tablets due to flex cable wear or loose connection.
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
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