- A
DNS
Why wrong: DNS resolves names; it does not assign IP addresses, so it is not relevant here.
- B
ARP
Why wrong: ARP resolves IP to MAC addresses; it is not involved in IP address assignment.
- C
DHCP
DHCP is responsible for assigning IP addresses; its failure results in an APIPA address.
- D
ICMP
Why wrong: ICMP is used for diagnostic messages like ping; it does not assign IP addresses.
Question 249 of 1,020
DHCP Client APIPA Troubleshooting for CompTIA A+ 220-1201
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network protocols. 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 user's laptop that cannot obtain an IP address via DHCP. The laptop shows an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address of 169.254.x.x. Other devices on the same network obtain IPs correctly. Which protocol should the technician verify is functioning on the laptop?
Quick Answer
The answer is DHCP, as the technician must verify that the DHCP client protocol is functioning on the laptop. When a device shows an APIPA address in the 169.254.x.x range, it means the DHCP client failed to receive a response from a DHCP server, so the operating system self-assigned a link-local address as a fallback. Since other devices on the same network obtain IPs correctly, the server and network infrastructure are working, isolating the problem to the laptop’s DHCP client service or its network adapter configuration. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the DHCP lease process and APIPA as a troubleshooting indicator; a common trap is assuming the server is down when only one client is affected. Remember the memory tip: “169.254 means DHCP is ignored—check the client, not the server.”
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
✓
DHCP
The laptop has an APIPA address (169.254.x.x), which is assigned when a DHCP client fails to receive a DHCPOFFER from any DHCP server. Since other devices on the same network obtain IPs correctly, the DHCP server and network infrastructure are functional, so the issue is isolated to the laptop's DHCP client service or its ability to send and receive DHCP messages (UDP ports 67/68). The technician must verify that the DHCP protocol is functioning correctly on the laptop, including checking that the DHCP client service is running and that no firewall is blocking DHCP traffic.
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.
- ✗
DNS
Why it's wrong here
DNS resolves names; it does not assign IP addresses, so it is not relevant here.
- ✗
ARP
Why it's wrong here
ARP resolves IP to MAC addresses; it is not involved in IP address assignment.
- ✓
DHCP
Why this is correct
DHCP is responsible for assigning IP addresses; its failure results in an APIPA address.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
ICMP
Why it's wrong here
ICMP is used for diagnostic messages like ping; it does not assign IP addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that an APIPA address indicates a network-wide DHCP server failure. However, since other devices obtain IPs correctly, the issue is client-side. The technician must verify that the DHCP protocol is functioning on the laptop, not DNS, ARP, or ICMP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DHCP operates using UDP ports 67 (server) and 68 (client) and follows a four-step process: DISCOVER, OFFER, REQUEST, ACK. When a client fails to receive a DHCPOFFER, it self-assigns an APIPA address from the 169.254.0.0/16 range (RFC 3927) after a timeout of approximately 6 seconds. A common subtle issue is that the Windows DHCP client service may be stopped or a third-party firewall may block outgoing DHCPDISCOVER broadcasts, causing the client to fall back to APIPA even when the server is reachable.
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 Protocols — This question tests Network Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DHCP — The laptop has an APIPA address (169.254.x.x), which is assigned when a DHCP client fails to receive a DHCPOFFER from any DHCP server. Since other devices on the same network obtain IPs correctly, the DHCP server and network infrastructure are functional, so the issue is isolated to the laptop's DHCP client service or its ability to send and receive DHCP messages (UDP ports 67/68). The technician must verify that the DHCP protocol is functioning correctly on the laptop, including checking that the DHCP client service is running and that no firewall is blocking DHCP traffic.
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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