- A
The DNS server is unreachable
Why wrong: DNS issues would not cause a 169.254.x.x address; the device would still get a valid IP from DHCP and then fail name resolution.
- B
The DHCP server is not responding
APIPA addresses are assigned when DHCP fails, so the most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unreachable or not functioning.
- C
The default gateway is misconfigured
Why wrong: A misconfigured gateway would not prevent DHCP; the device would still receive a proper IP but be unable to route outside the subnet.
- D
The network cable is faulty
Why wrong: A faulty cable could cause no link at all, but if the laptop gets an APIPA address, it indicates a physical connection exists but DHCP failed.
Question 525 of 1,020
220-1201 Network Configuration Concepts Practice Question
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 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?
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.
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 not responding
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.
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 unreachable
- ✓
The DHCP server is not responding
Why this is correct
APIPA addresses are assigned when DHCP fails, so the most likely cause is that the DHCP server is unreachable or not functioning.
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 default gateway is misconfigured
- ✗
The network cable is faulty
Why it's wrong here
A faulty cable could cause no link at all, but if the laptop gets an APIPA address, it indicates a physical connection exists but DHCP failed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The most common mistake on this question is to assume that a 169.254.x.x address points to a DNS or gateway problem, but APIPA specifically indicates a DHCP failure, not a higher-layer or routing issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
APIPA is defined in RFC 3927 and uses a link-local address block (169.254.0.0/16) with a /16 subnet mask, allowing devices to communicate only within the same broadcast domain. The DHCP process involves four steps (DORA: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge); if the Discover message times out after three retries (typically 6 seconds total), the OS auto-configures an APIPA address. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured firewall on the laptop or a disabled DHCP client service can also trigger APIPA even if the network infrastructure is healthy.
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
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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Network Configuration Concepts — study guide chapter
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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 not responding — 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.
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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