- A
Peer-to-peer network; the printer is sharing directly with the PC.
Why wrong: Peer-to-peer networking doesn't cause APIPA addresses; APIPA is a DHCP failure symptom on any network type.
- B
WLAN with DHCP failure; the printer has self-assigned an APIPA address.
The 169.254.x.x address is an APIPA address, meaning the printer's DHCP request failed, so it self-assigned a link-local address.
- C
PAN network; the printer is using Bluetooth.
Why wrong: Bluetooth PANs do not use IP addresses in the 169.254.x.x range; that range is specific to IPv4 link-local addressing.
- D
Ad hoc network; the printer is connecting directly to the PC.
Why wrong: Ad hoc networks still require proper IP configuration; APIPA indicates a DHCP issue, not an ad hoc mode.
Question 556 of 1,020
220-1201 Network Types Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network types. 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 troubleshooting a customer's home network where the desktop PC is wired to the router, but the wireless printer intermittently disappears from the network. The printer is connected via Wi-Fi to the same router. After checking, the technician finds that the printer's IP address is in the 169.254.x.x range. Which network type is the printer attempting to use, and what does this indicate?
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
✓
WLAN with DHCP failure; the printer has self-assigned an APIPA address.
The 169.254.x.x IP address range is reserved for Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA), which a device assigns to itself when it fails to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. Since the printer is connected via Wi-Fi to the same router, this indicates a DHCP failure on the WLAN, causing the printer to use a self-assigned APIPA address and intermittently disappear from the network.
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.
- ✗
Peer-to-peer network; the printer is sharing directly with the PC.
Why it's wrong here
Peer-to-peer networking doesn't cause APIPA addresses; APIPA is a DHCP failure symptom on any network type.
- ✓
WLAN with DHCP failure; the printer has self-assigned an APIPA address.
Why this is correct
The 169.254.x.x address is an APIPA address, meaning the printer's DHCP request failed, so it self-assigned a link-local address.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
PAN network; the printer is using Bluetooth.
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth PANs do not use IP addresses in the 169.254.x.x range; that range is specific to IPv4 link-local addressing.
- ✗
Ad hoc network; the printer is connecting directly to the PC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between APIPA (self-assigned address due to DHCP failure) and other network types like ad hoc or peer-to-peer, where candidates may confuse the symptom of a missing DHCP server with a direct connection topology.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
APIPA is defined in RFC 3927 and uses the 169.254.0.0/16 range, with the device performing a gratuitous ARP to verify uniqueness before assigning the address. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured DHCP scope or a saturated DHCP pool on the router can cause intermittent APIPA assignments, leading to network instability for wireless clients like printers.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Types — This question tests Network Types — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: WLAN with DHCP failure; the printer has self-assigned an APIPA address. — The 169.254.x.x IP address range is reserved for Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA), which a device assigns to itself when it fails to obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. Since the printer is connected via Wi-Fi to the same router, this indicates a DHCP failure on the WLAN, causing the printer to use a self-assigned APIPA address and intermittently disappear from the network.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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