- A
The monitor's power saving mode is too aggressive
Why wrong: Power saving mode would turn the monitor off after inactivity, not cause intermittent black screens during use.
- B
The DisplayPort cable is not certified for the required bandwidth
A cable not rated for the necessary DisplayPort version can cause signal dropouts at high resolutions.
- C
The graphics card is overheating
Why wrong: Overheating typically causes system crashes or artifacts, not intermittent black screens on the monitor alone.
- D
The monitor's firmware is outdated
Why wrong: Firmware issues are rare and usually cause persistent problems, not intermittent blackouts tied to resolution.
Question 467 of 1,020
DisplayPort Cable Bandwidth and High Resolution Black Screen Troubleshooting
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. 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 new high-resolution monitor (2560x1440) connected via DisplayPort shows intermittent black screens for a few seconds. The monitor works fine at lower resolutions. 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 an uncertified or under-specced DisplayPort cable that cannot handle the required bandwidth. When a high-resolution monitor like 2560x1440 demands significant data throughput, a cable not rated for the necessary DisplayPort version—such as DP 1.2 for 1440p at higher refresh rates—will cause signal degradation, manifesting as intermittent black screens lasting a few seconds. This symptom is a classic indicator of bandwidth insufficiency, as the cable fails to maintain a stable link under the data load, whereas lower resolutions work fine because they require less throughput. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of display cable specifications and signal integrity, often appearing as a trap where candidates blame the GPU or monitor settings. A common memory tip: think of the cable as a pipe—if the pipe is too narrow for the data flow, the signal will intermittently “choke,” causing the screen to go black.
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 DisplayPort cable is not certified for the required bandwidth
The most likely issue is that the DisplayPort cable is not certified for the required bandwidth. At 2560x1440 resolution, the monitor requires a high data rate (approximately 7.04 Gbps for 60 Hz), and a non-certified or low-quality cable may not reliably support this bandwidth, causing intermittent signal loss and black screens. Lower resolutions work because they require less bandwidth, allowing the cable to function within its limits.
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 monitor's power saving mode is too aggressive
Why it's wrong here
Power saving mode would turn the monitor off after inactivity, not cause intermittent black screens during use.
- ✓
The DisplayPort cable is not certified for the required bandwidth
Why this is correct
A cable not rated for the necessary DisplayPort version can cause signal dropouts at high resolutions.
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 graphics card is overheating
Why it's wrong here
Overheating typically causes system crashes or artifacts, not intermittent black screens on the monitor alone.
- ✗
The monitor's firmware is outdated
Why it's wrong here
Firmware issues are rare and usually cause persistent problems, not intermittent blackouts tied to resolution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that intermittent black screens are caused by power saving features or overheating, when in fact the symptom of resolution-dependent failures points directly to cable bandwidth limitations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DisplayPort uses a lane-based architecture where the total bandwidth is the sum of the data rates across 1, 2, or 4 lanes. For 2560x1440 at 60 Hz with 8-bit color, the required bandwidth is about 7.04 Gbps, which exceeds the 5.4 Gbps per lane limit of HBR2 (High Bit Rate 2) but fits within HBR3 (8.1 Gbps per lane). A non-certified cable may have poor shielding or impedance mismatches that cause signal degradation at higher frequencies, leading to link training failures and temporary black screens as the display renegotiates the connection.
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.
- →
Display Devices — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The DisplayPort cable is not certified for the required bandwidth — The most likely issue is that the DisplayPort cable is not certified for the required bandwidth. At 2560x1440 resolution, the monitor requires a high data rate (approximately 7.04 Gbps for 60 Hz), and a non-certified or low-quality cable may not reliably support this bandwidth, causing intermittent signal loss and black screens. Lower resolutions work because they require less bandwidth, allowing the cable to function within its limits.
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
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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