- A
The laptop's DNS server is misconfigured.
Why wrong: DNS would affect name resolution, but the technician is pinging by IP address, so DNS is not the issue.
- B
The server at 192.168.2.10 is offline.
Why wrong: If the server were offline, the ping would fail, but the more likely cause is a routing issue since the laptop can reach its own gateway.
- C
The default gateway does not have a route to the 192.168.2.0 subnet.
The laptop can reach its own gateway, but the gateway must have a route to forward traffic to the 192.168.2.x network. Without that route, packets are dropped.
- D
The laptop's subnet mask is incorrect.
Why wrong: The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is correct for a /24 network, and the laptop can ping its gateway, so the mask is likely fine.
Question 868 of 1,020
Why Can I Ping Gateway but Not a Server on Another Subnet?
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 laptop can connect to the corporate Wi-Fi but cannot access any network resources. The technician checks the IP configuration and sees an IP address of 192.168.1.105 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and a default gateway of 192.168.1.1. The technician pings the gateway successfully but cannot ping a server at 192.168.2.10. What is the most likely 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 that the default gateway does not have a route to the 192.168.2.0 subnet. This is correct because a successful ping to the gateway proves the laptop’s local network and default gateway are functioning, but the failure to reach a server on a different subnet indicates the gateway lacks a routing table entry for that remote network. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that a default gateway only forwards traffic to directly connected networks unless static or dynamic routes are configured; a common trap is assuming a working gateway guarantees access to all subnets. Remember, the gateway is just the door out of your subnet—it needs a map (a route) to know where to send packets beyond its own street. A helpful memory tip: “Ping the gateway, but not the server? Check the router’s map, not the laptop’s address.”
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 default gateway does not have a route to the 192.168.2.0 subnet.
The technician can ping the default gateway (192.168.1.1) but not the server at 192.168.2.10, indicating that Layer 3 connectivity exists within the local subnet but fails beyond it. This points to a routing issue on the default gateway, which likely lacks a route to the 192.168.2.0/24 network. Without that route, the gateway cannot forward packets destined for the server, even though the laptop's IP configuration is correct.
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 laptop's DNS server is misconfigured.
Why it's wrong here
DNS would affect name resolution, but the technician is pinging by IP address, so DNS is not the issue.
- ✗
The server at 192.168.2.10 is offline.
Why it's wrong here
If the server were offline, the ping would fail, but the more likely cause is a routing issue since the laptop can reach its own gateway.
- ✓
The default gateway does not have a route to the 192.168.2.0 subnet.
Why this is correct
The laptop can reach its own gateway, but the gateway must have a route to forward traffic to the 192.168.2.x network. Without that route, packets are dropped.
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 laptop's subnet mask is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 is correct for a /24 network, and the laptop can ping its gateway, so the mask is likely fine.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap in CompTIA A+ is the distinction between local connectivity (pinging the gateway) and remote connectivity (pinging a different subnet) — candidates often assume the server is down or DNS is the problem, but the real issue is a missing route on the default gateway.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a host sends a packet to a destination on a different subnet, it forwards the packet to its default gateway (MAC address resolved via ARP). The gateway then consults its routing table; if no route exists for the destination network, the packet is dropped (ICMP Destination Unreachable). In enterprise networks, static routes or dynamic routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP) are used to propagate routes between subnets. A missing route is a common misconfiguration when VLANs or separate IP subnets are introduced without updating the router's routing table.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Visual reference
What to study next
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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 default gateway does not have a route to the 192.168.2.0 subnet. — The technician can ping the default gateway (192.168.1.1) but not the server at 192.168.2.10, indicating that Layer 3 connectivity exists within the local subnet but fails beyond it. This points to a routing issue on the default gateway, which likely lacks a route to the 192.168.2.0/24 network. Without that route, the gateway cannot forward packets destined for the server, even though the laptop's IP configuration is correct.
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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