- A
The DNS server is not resolving the share name
Why wrong: DNS issues would not result in a 169.254.x.x address; that address is assigned when DHCP fails.
- B
The network cable is unplugged or faulty
Why wrong: A disconnected cable would typically result in no IP address or a disconnected status, not an APIPA address.
- C
The DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable
When a DHCP server cannot be contacted, Windows automatically assigns an APIPA address in the 169.254.x.x range.
- D
The user's account does not have permission to access the share
Why wrong: Permission issues occur after network connectivity is established; an APIPA address indicates no network connectivity.
Question 85 of 1,020
What Does a 169.254.x.x IP Address Mean?
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 reports that their computer cannot connect to a network share. The technician runs ipconfig and sees an IP address of 169.254.1.5. 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 that the DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable. When a computer shows an APIPA address in the 169.254.x.x range, like 169.254.1.5, it means the device failed to lease an IP from a DHCP server and instead assigned itself a link-local address through Automatic Private IP Addressing. This is a core concept tested on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, often appearing in troubleshooting scenarios where a user cannot connect to network resources. A common trap is assuming the network adapter is faulty, but the real issue is a DHCP failure—either the server is down, the switch port is misconfigured, or a cable is loose. For a quick memory tip, think of the 169.254 prefix as “I’m 169% sure I can’t reach the DHCP 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
✓
The DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable
The IP address 169.254.1.5 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP discovery fails. This indicates the client could not reach a DHCP server to obtain a valid lease, making the DHCP server unavailable or unreachable the most likely cause.
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 DNS server is not resolving the share name
- ✗
The network cable is unplugged or faulty
Why it's wrong here
A disconnected cable would typically result in no IP address or a disconnected status, not an APIPA address.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable
Why this is correct
When a DHCP server cannot be contacted, Windows automatically assigns an APIPA address in the 169.254.x.x range.
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 user's account does not have permission to access the share
Why it's wrong here
Permission issues occur after network connectivity is established; an APIPA address indicates no network connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that a 169.254.x.x address always means a physical cable issue, but the correct interpretation is that it indicates a DHCP failure, not necessarily a Layer 1 problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
APIPA uses the 169.254.0.0/16 range (169.254.1.0–169.254.254.255) as defined in RFC 3927, and is a fallback mechanism when DHCPOFFER messages are not received. The client sends four DHCPDISCOVER broadcasts; if no server responds, it randomly selects an APIPA address and performs an ARP probe to ensure uniqueness. This behavior is common in isolated networks or when a DHCP server is down, but can also occur if the client's network interface is misconfigured or the DHCP relay agent fails.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: The DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable — The IP address 169.254.1.5 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP discovery fails. This indicates the client could not reach a DHCP server to obtain a valid lease, making the DHCP server unavailable or unreachable the most likely cause.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their laptop cannot connect to the internet, but other devices on the same wired network work fine. The technician checks the IP configuration and sees the laptop has an IP address of 169.254.3.12. What is the most likely cause?
easy- A.The DNS server is unreachable
- ✓ B.The DHCP server is not responding
- C.The default gateway is misconfigured
- D.The network cable is faulty
Why B: The IP address 169.254.3.12 falls within the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range (169.254.0.0/16), which Windows assigns when a DHCP discovery broadcast fails to receive a response. Since other devices on the same wired network work fine, the issue is isolated to this laptop's inability to reach the DHCP server, most likely due to a local configuration problem or a faulty network interface.
Variation 2. A customer reports that their laptop connects to the office Wi-Fi but cannot access the internet. Other devices on the same network work fine. The technician checks the laptop's IP configuration and sees an IP address of 169.254.15.22. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
easy- A.The DNS server is misconfigured.
- B.The laptop's network adapter is faulty.
- C.The DHCP server is out of available IP addresses.
- ✓ D.The laptop's DHCP client is failing to obtain an IP address.
Why D: The IP address 169.254.15.22 falls within the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range (169.254.0.0/16), which Windows assigns when the DHCP client fails to receive a valid IP from a DHCP server. Since other devices on the same network work fine, the DHCP server is not exhausted; rather, this specific laptop's DHCP client could not complete the DORA process, likely due to a misconfiguration, firewall blocking DHCP traffic, or a driver issue. Option D correctly identifies that the DHCP client is failing to obtain an IP address, as evidenced by the APIPA address.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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