- A
The laptop's Wi-Fi adapter is faulty.
Why wrong: The laptop initially connects and works, so the adapter is fine. The issue is with the hotspot itself.
- B
The smartphone's hotspot timeout setting is enabled.
Hotspot timeout settings automatically disable the hotspot after a period of inactivity or a set duration to save power and data.
- C
The smartphone's cellular signal is too weak.
Why wrong: Weak signal would cause slow speeds or disconnection, but the hotspot would remain active. The scenario describes the hotspot stopping.
- D
The laptop has a static IP address configured.
Why wrong: A static IP on the laptop would cause a conflict or inability to obtain an IP, but the initial connection suggests DHCP is working.
Question 142 of 1,020
220-1201 Mobile Device Network Connectivity Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device network connectivity. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 smartphone's mobile hotspot stops working after a few minutes of use. The laptop connected to it loses internet access. 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 smartphone's hotspot timeout setting is enabled.
The most likely cause is that the smartphone's hotspot timeout setting is enabled. Many smartphones have a built-in power-saving feature that automatically disables the mobile hotspot after a period of inactivity (e.g., 5 or 10 minutes) to conserve battery and data. When this timeout triggers, the hotspot stops broadcasting, causing the connected laptop to lose 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.
- ✗
The laptop's Wi-Fi adapter is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
The laptop initially connects and works, so the adapter is fine. The issue is with the hotspot itself.
- ✓
The smartphone's hotspot timeout setting is enabled.
Why this is correct
Hotspot timeout settings automatically disable the hotspot after a period of inactivity or a set duration to save power and data.
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 smartphone's cellular signal is too weak.
Why it's wrong here
Weak signal would cause slow speeds or disconnection, but the hotspot would remain active. The scenario describes the hotspot stopping.
- ✗
The laptop has a static IP address configured.
Why it's wrong here
A static IP on the laptop would cause a conflict or inability to obtain an IP, but the initial connection suggests DHCP is working.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume the issue is with the laptop or the cellular signal, overlooking the smartphone's power-saving timeout feature that is specifically designed to disable the hotspot after a period of inactivity.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Weak signal would cause slow speeds or disconnection, but the hotspot would remain active. The scenario describes the hotspot stopping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The hotspot timeout is often implemented as a configurable inactivity timer in the smartphone's tethering settings, typically ranging from 5 to 30 minutes. When no devices are actively using data (e.g., the laptop is idle or not sending traffic), the smartphone's OS may interpret this as inactivity and shut down the hotspot to save power. This is distinct from a cellular signal issue, which would affect the hotspot's data throughput but not its availability as a Wi-Fi access point.
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.
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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Mobile Device Network Connectivity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Network Connectivity — This question tests Mobile Device Network Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The smartphone's hotspot timeout setting is enabled. — The most likely cause is that the smartphone's hotspot timeout setting is enabled. Many smartphones have a built-in power-saving feature that automatically disables the mobile hotspot after a period of inactivity (e.g., 5 or 10 minutes) to conserve battery and data. When this timeout triggers, the hotspot stops broadcasting, causing the connected laptop to lose 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: "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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