- A
The screen protector is of low quality and does not fit the device model.
Why wrong: While possible, peeling at edges is more often due to installation issues than poor fit, especially if it started after weeks.
- B
The user did not clean the screen properly before installation, leaving dust or oil.
This is correct; improper cleaning leads to poor adhesion, causing edges to lift over time.
- C
The smartphone case is too tight and pushes the protector off.
Why wrong: A tight case can lift edges, but this would happen immediately, not after weeks, and is less common.
- D
The device's screen has a factory oleophobic coating that repels the adhesive.
Why wrong: Oleophobic coatings do not typically interfere with screen protector adhesion; they are designed to be compatible.
Screen Protector Peeling at Edges: Installation Fix
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device accessories. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 smartphone's screen protector has started peeling off at the edges after a few weeks. They installed it themselves. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
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 improper screen preparation, specifically failing to clean the screen thoroughly before installation. When dust, oil, or residue remains on the display, it creates microscopic gaps that break the adhesive bond, causing the screen protector to start peeling off at the edges within weeks. This is a core hardware troubleshooting concept in the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, which tests your ability to diagnose common mobile device issues caused by user error rather than hardware failure. A common trap is assuming the protector itself is defective or that temperature changes are to blame, but the exam emphasizes that poor installation technique—especially skipping the included alcohol wipe or microfiber cloth—is the most likely cause. Remember the memory tip: “Clean before you cling” to recall that adhesion failure almost always traces back to a dirty screen surface.
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 user did not clean the screen properly before installation, leaving dust or oil.
Option B is correct because improper cleaning leaves dust, oil, or debris on the screen, which creates microscopic gaps between the adhesive and the glass. These contaminants prevent full adhesion, causing the edges to lift over time as the protector is subjected to daily handling and temperature changes.
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 screen protector is of low quality and does not fit the device model.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, peeling at edges is more often due to installation issues than poor fit, especially if it started after weeks.
- ✓
The user did not clean the screen properly before installation, leaving dust or oil.
Why this is correct
This is correct; improper cleaning leads to poor adhesion, causing edges to lift over time.
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 smartphone case is too tight and pushes the protector off.
Why it's wrong here
A tight case can lift edges, but this would happen immediately, not after weeks, and is less common.
- ✗
The device's screen has a factory oleophobic coating that repels the adhesive.
Why it's wrong here
Oleophobic coatings do not typically interfere with screen protector adhesion; they are designed to be compatible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that peeling is caused by product quality or case interference, when the real culprit is improper surface preparation—a common real-world mistake that candidates overlook because they assume the user followed instructions correctly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Screen protector adhesives rely on van der Waals forces and mechanical interlocking with the glass surface. Even microscopic oil residues (e.g., from skin contact) reduce the surface energy of the glass, lowering adhesion strength. This is why professional installers use lint-free wipes and alcohol-based cleaners to ensure a pristine surface, as any contamination creates nucleation points for edge lifting.
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 Accessories — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Accessories — This question tests Mobile Device Accessories — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user did not clean the screen properly before installation, leaving dust or oil. — Option B is correct because improper cleaning leaves dust, oil, or debris on the screen, which creates microscopic gaps between the adhesive and the glass. These contaminants prevent full adhesion, causing the edges to lift over time as the protector is subjected to daily handling and temperature changes.
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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