- A
The SSID is hidden
Why wrong: A hidden SSID would prevent connection altogether, not cause intermittent disconnections when moving rooms.
- B
The wireless mode is set to 802.11a only
Why wrong: 802.11a operates on 5 GHz and has shorter range, but if other devices work in that room, the laptop's adapter should also connect; this would cause a consistent issue, not intermittent.
- C
Power saving mode is enabled on the wireless adapter
Power saving can cause the adapter to drop the connection to conserve battery, especially when signal fluctuates, leading to disconnections.
- D
The channel width is set to 40 MHz
Why wrong: Channel width affects throughput and interference but does not typically cause disconnections when moving; it might reduce performance.
Question 152 of 1,020
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Disconnects Caused by Power Saving Mode
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network configuration concepts. 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 user complains that their laptop frequently disconnects from the Wi-Fi when they move to a different room, but other devices in that room work fine. The technician checks the laptop's wireless adapter settings. Which configuration is most likely causing the issue?
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 power saving mode enabled on the wireless adapter. This configuration causes the laptop to disconnect from Wi-Fi when moving rooms because the adapter reduces its power draw or drops the connection to conserve battery life, particularly when signal strength fluctuates. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how power management settings in the Network and Sharing Center or Device Manager can override normal wireless behavior, creating a common troubleshooting trap where the user blames the router or signal. The key distinction is that other devices in the same room work fine, isolating the issue to the laptop’s adapter configuration. Remember the mnemonic “PMS” for Power Management Saves—but not your connection.
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
✓
Power saving mode is enabled on the wireless adapter
Power saving mode on the wireless adapter reduces power consumption by periodically turning off the radio, which can cause intermittent disconnections when the laptop moves between rooms and the signal strength fluctuates. This is a common issue because the adapter may not maintain a stable connection as it transitions between access points or renegotiates power-saving states.
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 SSID is hidden
Why it's wrong here
A hidden SSID would prevent connection altogether, not cause intermittent disconnections when moving rooms.
- ✗
The wireless mode is set to 802.11a only
Why it's wrong here
802.11a operates on 5 GHz and has shorter range, but if other devices work in that room, the laptop's adapter should also connect; this would cause a consistent issue, not intermittent.
- ✓
Power saving mode is enabled on the wireless adapter
Why this is correct
Power saving can cause the adapter to drop the connection to conserve battery, especially when signal fluctuates, leading to disconnections.
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 channel width is set to 40 MHz
Why it's wrong here
Channel width affects throughput and interference but does not typically cause disconnections when moving; it might reduce performance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly attribute the issue to signal range or channel interference (options B or D), but the key clue is that other devices work fine in the same room, pointing to a laptop-specific configuration like power saving mode.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Power saving mode in 802.11 adapters uses mechanisms like Power Save Poll (PS-Poll) or Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) to buffer frames at the access point while the radio sleeps. When the laptop moves to a different room, the adapter may fail to wake up in time to receive buffered frames or re-associate with a new access point, leading to timeouts and disconnections. In real-world scenarios, disabling power saving in the adapter's advanced settings (e.g., 'Power Management' set to 'Maximum Performance') often resolves such intermittent connectivity issues.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Configuration Concepts — This question tests Network Configuration Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Power saving mode is enabled on the wireless adapter — Power saving mode on the wireless adapter reduces power consumption by periodically turning off the radio, which can cause intermittent disconnections when the laptop moves between rooms and the signal strength fluctuates. This is a common issue because the adapter may not maintain a stable connection as it transitions between access points or renegotiates power-saving states.
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
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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