- A
The 5 GHz router is too far from the laptop.
Why wrong: 5 GHz has shorter range, but if the laptop is close enough to connect to 2.4 GHz, range is unlikely the issue.
- B
The laptop's Wi-Fi driver is outdated or misconfigured for 5 GHz.
An outdated driver may not properly support 5 GHz channels or band steering, causing connection failures.
- C
The 5 GHz network is using WEP encryption.
Why wrong: WEP is outdated but would affect both bands equally if used; modern devices usually support WPA2.
- D
The laptop's Wi-Fi card is only 2.4 GHz capable.
Why wrong: The scenario states the laptop supports dual-band, so the hardware is capable.
Question 770 of 1,020
Laptop Cannot Connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi but 2.4 GHz Works: Driver Issue
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 troubleshooting a laptop that cannot connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, but it connects to 2.4 GHz networks without issue. The laptop supports dual-band Wi-Fi. What is the most likely cause?
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The answer is an outdated or misconfigured Wi-Fi driver. Even though the laptop supports dual-band Wi-Fi, the driver software may be set to prefer the 2.4 GHz band or lack proper support for the specific 5 GHz channel in use, such as a region-restricted DFS channel. This is a common scenario on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, testing your understanding that hardware capability alone does not guarantee functionality—driver configuration and compatibility are critical. A frequent trap is assuming the issue is a hardware failure or antenna problem, but since 2.4 GHz works, the radio itself is fine. Remember the memory tip: “Driver decides the band—if 5 GHz is banned, check the driver’s hand.”
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 laptop's Wi-Fi driver is outdated or misconfigured for 5 GHz.
Since the laptop connects successfully to 2.4 GHz networks but fails on 5 GHz, the hardware is functional for 2.4 GHz, but the driver or configuration may not support the 5 GHz band properly. An outdated or misconfigured Wi-Fi driver is the most likely cause because it can fail to enable the 5 GHz radio or negotiate 802.11a/n/ac protocols correctly.
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 5 GHz router is too far from the laptop.
Why it's wrong here
5 GHz has shorter range, but if the laptop is close enough to connect to 2.4 GHz, range is unlikely the issue.
- ✓
The laptop's Wi-Fi driver is outdated or misconfigured for 5 GHz.
Why this is correct
An outdated driver may not properly support 5 GHz channels or band steering, causing connection failures.
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 5 GHz network is using WEP encryption.
Why it's wrong here
WEP is outdated but would affect both bands equally if used; modern devices usually support WPA2.
- ✗
The laptop's Wi-Fi card is only 2.4 GHz capable.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario states the laptop supports dual-band, so the hardware is capable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a dual-band laptop always works on both bands equally, but the trap here is that driver or configuration issues can selectively disable one band, leading candidates to incorrectly blame range (A) or encryption (C).
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The scenario states the laptop supports dual-band, so the hardware is capable.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, 5 GHz operation often requires specific driver support for 802.11a, 802.11n (HT40 channels), or 802.11ac (VHT80/160 channels). A driver that only initializes the 2.4 GHz radio or lacks the correct regulatory domain settings for 5 GHz channels (e.g., DFS channels 52-144) will prevent association. In real-world scenarios, a technician might verify this by checking the adapter's supported bands in Device Manager or using 'netsh wlan show drivers' on Windows to confirm if 5 GHz is listed as supported.
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: The laptop's Wi-Fi driver is outdated or misconfigured for 5 GHz. — Since the laptop connects successfully to 2.4 GHz networks but fails on 5 GHz, the hardware is functional for 2.4 GHz, but the driver or configuration may not support the 5 GHz band properly. An outdated or misconfigured Wi-Fi driver is the most likely cause because it can fail to enable the 5 GHz radio or negotiate 802.11a/n/ac protocols correctly.
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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