- A
ipconfig /flushdns
Why wrong: This clears the DNS resolver cache, not the IP address lease.
- B
ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew
This sequence releases the current IP and obtains a new one from DHCP, directly addressing the connectivity issue.
- C
ipconfig /all
Why wrong: This displays all IP configuration details but does not change anything.
- D
ping 127.0.0.1
Why wrong: This tests the local loopback, not the DHCP lease renewal process.
Question 200 of 750
How to Release and Renew an IP Address Using ipconfig /release and /renew
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows command-line tools. 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 customer complains that their Windows 11 laptop cannot connect to the internet, but other devices on the same network work fine. You suspect the IP configuration is incorrect. Which command will release and renew the IP address from the DHCP server?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew. This two-step sequence forces the Windows command line to drop the current DHCP lease and then request a fresh IP address from the DHCP server, which directly resolves incorrect IP configuration issues. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this is a classic troubleshooting scenario where a single device cannot connect while others work fine—a clear sign of a stale or misassigned IP lease. A common trap is confusing ipconfig /flushdns (which clears the DNS cache) with the release and renew process, but only the /release and /renew commands address the DHCP lease itself. To remember the order, think “let go before you grab”—you must release the old lease before you can renew a new one.
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
✓
ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew
The `ipconfig /release` command releases the current DHCP lease, setting the IP address to 0.0.0.0, and `ipconfig /renew` sends a DHCPDISCOVER broadcast to obtain a new IP configuration from the DHCP server. This is the correct sequence to resolve an incorrect IP configuration that prevents a Windows 11 client from connecting to the internet while other devices work fine.
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.
- ✗
ipconfig /flushdns
Why it's wrong here
This clears the DNS resolver cache, not the IP address lease.
- ✓
ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew
Why this is correct
This sequence releases the current IP and obtains a new one from DHCP, directly addressing the connectivity issue.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
ipconfig /all
Why it's wrong here
This displays all IP configuration details but does not change anything.
- ✗
ping 127.0.0.1
Why it's wrong here
This tests the local loopback, not the DHCP lease renewal process.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The exam often tests the exact two-step sequence of `ipconfig /release` then `ipconfig /renew` as a required troubleshooting procedure, and the trap is that candidates may think a single command like `ipconfig /renew` alone is sufficient, or confuse it with other `ipconfig` subcommands like `/flushdns` or `/all`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The DHCP lease process uses UDP ports 67 (server) and 68 (client). When `ipconfig /renew` is issued, the client sends a DHCPREQUEST message to the server that originally granted the lease, or a DHCPDISCOVER if the lease cannot be renewed. In a scenario where the DHCP server is on a different subnet, the renew process relies on a DHCP relay agent (RFC 1542) to forward the broadcast; if the relay is misconfigured, the renew may fail silently.
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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Windows Command-Line Tools — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Windows Command-Line Tools — This question tests Windows Command-Line Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew — The `ipconfig /release` command releases the current DHCP lease, setting the IP address to 0.0.0.0, and `ipconfig /renew` sends a DHCPDISCOVER broadcast to obtain a new IP configuration from the DHCP server. This is the correct sequence to resolve an incorrect IP configuration that prevents a Windows 11 client from connecting to the internet while other devices work fine.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer complains that their Windows 10 laptop frequently loses network connectivity. You suspect the IP address configuration is incorrect. Which command should you use to release the current IP address and request a new one from the DHCP server?
easy- A.ping 8.8.8.8
- ✓ B.ipconfig /release
- C.nslookup google.com
- D.netstat -a
Why B: Option B is correct because the `ipconfig /release` command sends a DHCPRELEASE message to the DHCP server, discarding the current IP address lease. This is followed by `ipconfig /renew` to request a new IP address from the DHCP server, which resolves connectivity issues caused by an incorrect or stale IP configuration.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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