- A
The battery is completely drained.
Why wrong: If the battery were drained, the device wouldn't vibrate on power-on.
- B
The LCD panel or display ribbon cable is faulty.
A black screen with vibration indicates the device boots but the display subsystem is not working, often due to a failed LCD or loose cable.
- C
The digitizer is cracked.
Why wrong: A cracked digitizer doesn't cause a completely black screen; the LCD would still show an image.
- D
The OS is corrupted.
Why wrong: A corrupted OS would typically show a boot loop or error screen, not a black screen with vibration.
Question 190 of 1,020
Tablet Black Screen But Vibrates: LCD or Ribbon Cable Failure
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device hardware servicing. 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 tablet's screen is completely black but the device vibrates when powered on. You have already tried a forced restart and checked for physical damage. What is the most likely hardware 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.
Quick Answer
The answer is a faulty LCD panel or a damaged display ribbon cable. When a tablet shows a black screen but vibrates upon powering on, the vibration confirms the device is booting and the system board is functional, isolating the failure to the display assembly or its connection. A completely black screen with no backlight glow or touch response points directly to the LCD panel itself or the ribbon cable that carries video data from the motherboard to the screen, as a backlight failure would typically show a faint image, and a digitizer issue would still allow the LCD to light up. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between power-on symptoms and display-specific failures—a common trap is assuming the battery or motherboard is dead when the vibration proves otherwise. Remember the memory tip: “Vibration says alive, black says no drive”—if the device vibrates but the screen stays black, the data path to the display is broken.
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 LCD panel or display ribbon cable is faulty.
The device vibrating on power-on indicates the system board, processor, and power management are functioning, but the display subsystem is not. Since a forced restart and physical damage inspection have been ruled out, the most likely hardware cause is a faulty LCD panel or a damaged display ribbon cable connecting the mainboard to the screen. This explains why the device is operational (vibration) yet the screen remains black.
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 battery is completely drained.
Why it's wrong here
If the battery were drained, the device wouldn't vibrate on power-on.
- ✓
The LCD panel or display ribbon cable is faulty.
Why this is correct
A black screen with vibration indicates the device boots but the display subsystem is not working, often due to a failed LCD or loose cable.
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 digitizer is cracked.
Why it's wrong here
A cracked digitizer doesn't cause a completely black screen; the LCD would still show an image.
- ✗
The OS is corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
A corrupted OS would typically show a boot loop or error screen, not a black screen with vibration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between the digitizer (touch input) and the LCD panel (display output); the trap here is that candidates confuse a cracked digitizer with a black screen, but a cracked digitizer does not prevent the LCD from showing an image.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A cracked digitizer doesn't cause a completely black screen; the LCD would still show an image.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The display subsystem in modern tablets uses a flexible printed circuit (FPC) ribbon cable that carries LVDS or eDP (Embedded DisplayPort) signals from the SoC to the LCD panel. A common failure point is the connector where this ribbon cable inserts into the mainboard; even a slight dislodgement or a cracked trace can cause a black screen while the rest of the device functions normally. In real-world scenarios, this often occurs after a drop that doesn't leave visible external damage but jars the internal ribbon connection loose.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — This question tests Mobile Device Hardware Servicing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The LCD panel or display ribbon cable is faulty. — The device vibrating on power-on indicates the system board, processor, and power management are functioning, but the display subsystem is not. Since a forced restart and physical damage inspection have been ruled out, the most likely hardware cause is a faulty LCD panel or a damaged display ribbon cable connecting the mainboard to the screen. This explains why the device is operational (vibration) yet the screen remains black.
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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