- A
The charging pad is defective.
Why wrong: The pad works with another phone, so it is not defective.
- B
The phone's battery is faulty.
Why wrong: A faulty battery would also cause issues with cable charging, but the phone charges fine with a cable.
- C
The phone case is too thick or contains metal.
Thick cases or those with metal components can interfere with wireless charging, causing it to stop after a few minutes due to overheating or misalignment.
- D
The phone's wireless charging coil is damaged.
Why wrong: If the coil were damaged, wireless charging would not work at all, not just stop after a few minutes.
220-1201 Mobile Device Accessories Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device accessories. 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 smartphone's wireless charging pad stops charging after a few minutes. The phone charges fine with a cable. The charging pad works with another phone. 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 phone case is too thick or contains metal.
Option C is correct because wireless charging relies on inductive coupling between the phone's receiver coil and the pad's transmitter coil. A thick case (especially one containing metal) can physically separate the coils beyond the effective range or cause eddy current losses that trigger thermal protection, causing the pad to shut down after a few minutes. The fact that the pad works with another phone and the phone charges via cable isolates the issue to the case, not the phone's battery or charging coil.
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 charging pad is defective.
Why it's wrong here
The pad works with another phone, so it is not defective.
- ✗
The phone's battery is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty battery would also cause issues with cable charging, but the phone charges fine with a cable.
- ✓
The phone case is too thick or contains metal.
Why this is correct
Thick cases or those with metal components can interfere with wireless charging, causing it to stop after a few minutes due to overheating or misalignment.
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 phone's wireless charging coil is damaged.
Why it's wrong here
If the coil were damaged, wireless charging would not work at all, not just stop after a few minutes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between 'doesn't work at all' vs. 'works then stops' to trap candidates into blaming the charging coil or pad, when the real issue is thermal or FOD-related interference from the case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Qi wireless charging uses a resonant inductive coupling at 100-205 kHz. When a metal object or thick case is present, the coupling factor drops, and the power transmitter may increase drive current to compensate, leading to overheating. The pad's foreign object detection (FOD) or thermal sensor then cuts power to prevent damage, which explains the intermittent charging behavior. Real-world cases with magnetic mounts or metal plates embedded in the case are common culprits.
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.
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Mobile Device Accessories — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Accessories — This question tests Mobile Device Accessories — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The phone case is too thick or contains metal. — Option C is correct because wireless charging relies on inductive coupling between the phone's receiver coil and the pad's transmitter coil. A thick case (especially one containing metal) can physically separate the coils beyond the effective range or cause eddy current losses that trigger thermal protection, causing the pad to shut down after a few minutes. The fact that the pad works with another phone and the phone charges via cable isolates the issue to the case, not the phone's battery or charging coil.
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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