- A
The digitizer is malfunctioning.
Why wrong: Digitizer failure would affect touch response, which is reported as normal.
- B
The LCD panel has dead pixels.
Why wrong: Dead pixels cause fixed spots, not overall dimness or flickering.
- C
The backlight LED or inverter is failing.
A failing backlight causes dim, flickering display while touch and OS remain functional.
- D
The motherboard GPU is damaged.
Why wrong: GPU damage usually causes artifacts, screen corruption, or no display, not just dimness with normal OS operation.
Question 491 of 1,020
Tablet Dim Flickering Display: Backlight Failure
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device hardware servicing. 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 tablet that has a dim display that flickers intermittently. The device responds to touch and the OS loads normally. Which component is most likely failing?
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 failing backlight LED or inverter. This is correct because a tablet dim flickering display backlight failure presents with a dim, flickering screen while the device still responds to touch and loads the OS normally, indicating the LCD panel and digitizer are functional. The backlight system—comprising LEDs and an inverter or driver circuit—provides the illumination behind the LCD; when it fails, the display appears dark or flickers, but the underlying image generation remains intact. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between LCD failure (which often causes lines, dead pixels, or no image) and backlight failure (dim/flickering with normal touch). A common trap is assuming the entire display is bad, but the symptom of a working touchscreen and OS points squarely to the backlight. Memory tip: “If you can touch it, but can’t see it well, the backlight’s in a spell.”
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 backlight LED or inverter is failing.
The backlight LED or inverter is the most likely failing component because the display is dim but still functional (the LCD panel itself works, as the OS loads and touch responds). A failing backlight reduces brightness and can cause flickering due to inconsistent power delivery to the LEDs, while the digitizer and GPU remain operational.
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 digitizer is malfunctioning.
Why it's wrong here
Digitizer failure would affect touch response, which is reported as normal.
- ✗
The LCD panel has dead pixels.
Why it's wrong here
Dead pixels cause fixed spots, not overall dimness or flickering.
- ✓
The backlight LED or inverter is failing.
Why this is correct
A failing backlight causes dim, flickering display while touch and OS remain 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 motherboard GPU is damaged.
Why it's wrong here
GPU damage usually causes artifacts, screen corruption, or no display, not just dimness with normal OS operation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the distinction between the display panel (LCD) and the backlight system, trapping candidates who confuse a dim/flickering screen with a failing LCD panel or GPU when the underlying issue is a power supply component for illumination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In modern tablets, the backlight is often driven by a constant-current LED driver IC that converts battery voltage to a stable current for the LED string. Intermittent flickering can result from a failing capacitor in the driver circuit, a loose connector, or thermal expansion causing intermittent contact. In older devices with CCFL backlights, the inverter (a high-voltage DC-AC converter) can fail similarly, but LED-based systems are more common today.
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 Hardware Servicing — study guide chapter
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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 backlight LED or inverter is failing. — The backlight LED or inverter is the most likely failing component because the display is dim but still functional (the LCD panel itself works, as the OS loads and touch responds). A failing backlight reduces brightness and can cause flickering due to inconsistent power delivery to the LEDs, while the digitizer and GPU remain operational.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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