- A
Replace the Cat5e cable with a Cat6 cable.
Why wrong: Cat5e supports gigabit speeds and is not the cause. Replacing it without diagnosing the issue is premature.
- B
Check the IP address configuration on the PC to see if it has a valid address.
Correct. A link light with no activity often indicates a DHCP issue or static IP misconfiguration. Checking IP settings is the next logical step.
- C
Reboot the switch in the wiring closet.
Why wrong: Since other devices work, the switch is likely fine. Rebooting it would disrupt other users unnecessarily.
- D
Replace the network adapter in the PC.
Why wrong: The link light indicates the adapter is functioning. Replacing it without further testing is not warranted.
Question 184 of 1,020
No Network Activity but Link Light on PC
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of common networking hardware. 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 desktop computer cannot connect to the internet, but other devices on the same network work fine. You check the patch cable from the wall jack to the PC and find it is a Cat5e cable. The PC's network adapter shows a link light, but no activity. What should you do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The correct first step is to check the IP address configuration on the PC to see if it has a valid address. A link light confirms physical layer connectivity—the cable, NIC, and switch port are electrically sound—but no network activity points to a layer 3 or configuration problem rather than a hardware fault. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between physical and logical issues; a common trap is jumping to replace the cable or NIC when the link light is on. Remember that a steady link light only guarantees the wire is good, not that the device has a proper IP lease or gateway. The memory tip here is “Link light, no fight—check the IP right,” meaning if the physical link is active but traffic stalls, always verify addressing before swapping parts.
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
✓
Check the IP address configuration on the PC to see if it has a valid address.
The link light indicates Layer 1 (physical) connectivity is present, so the cable and switch port are likely functional. The lack of activity suggests the PC is not successfully communicating at Layer 3, often due to an incorrect or missing IP address. Checking the IP configuration (e.g., with `ipconfig` or `ifconfig`) is the logical first step to verify if the PC has a valid address from DHCP or is set to an APIPA range (169.254.x.x), which would prevent internet access.
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.
- ✗
Replace the Cat5e cable with a Cat6 cable.
Why it's wrong here
Cat5e supports gigabit speeds and is not the cause. Replacing it without diagnosing the issue is premature.
- ✓
Check the IP address configuration on the PC to see if it has a valid address.
Why this is correct
Correct. A link light with no activity often indicates a DHCP issue or static IP misconfiguration. Checking IP settings is the next logical step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Reboot the switch in the wiring closet.
Why it's wrong here
Since other devices work, the switch is likely fine. Rebooting it would disrupt other users unnecessarily.
- ✗
Replace the network adapter in the PC.
Why it's wrong here
The link light indicates the adapter is functioning. Replacing it without further testing is not warranted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates see a link light and assume the physical layer is fully functional, but they overlook that a link light only confirms Layer 1 connectivity, not Layer 3 addressing—the CompTIA A+ exam often tests this distinction to see if you know to verify IP configuration before replacing hardware.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a PC has a link light but no activity, it often indicates the NIC is receiving electrical signals but not processing valid frames—this can happen if the PC fails to obtain a DHCP lease and falls back to an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address (169.254.0.0/16), which is not routable on the internet. The `ipconfig /all` command reveals the DHCP server status and IP lease details; a 169.254.x.x address confirms the PC is self-assigning an IP due to no response from the DHCP server, which could be caused by a misconfigured firewall, a disabled DHCP client service, or a VLAN mismatch at the switch.
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?
Common Networking Hardware — This question tests Common Networking Hardware — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the IP address configuration on the PC to see if it has a valid address. — The link light indicates Layer 1 (physical) connectivity is present, so the cable and switch port are likely functional. The lack of activity suggests the PC is not successfully communicating at Layer 3, often due to an incorrect or missing IP address. Checking the IP configuration (e.g., with `ipconfig` or `ifconfig`) is the logical first step to verify if the PC has a valid address from DHCP or is set to an APIPA range (169.254.x.x), which would prevent internet access.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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