Device Noncompliant Due to Not Syncing
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Get-IntuneManagedDevice -DeviceName "LAPTOP001" | Select-Object -Property DeviceName, LastSyncDateTime, ComplianceState, ManagementState, OSVersion
The above PowerShell cmdlet returns the following output:
DeviceName: LAPTOP001 LastSyncDateTime: 2025-03-15T08:30:00Z ComplianceState: noncompliant ManagementState: managed OSVersion: 10.0.19044.1288
The device last synced 3 days ago. What is the most likely reason for the noncompliant status?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the device is noncompliant because it has not synced in over 24 hours. In Microsoft Intune, compliance policies require a device to check in at least once every 24 hours to re-evaluate its state; if a device like LAPTOP001 shows a LastSyncDateTime of three days ago, Intune automatically marks it as noncompliant since it cannot confirm the device still meets policy requirements without a recent sync. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Intune sync frequency default—a common trap is assuming noncompliance is due to a specific policy violation like missing updates, when the root cause is simply a stale sync. Remember the 24-hour rule: if the last sync timestamp exceeds one day, the device is flagged as noncompliant regardless of its management state. A helpful memory tip is “Sync or sink”—if a device hasn’t synced in a day, its compliance status sinks to noncompliant.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume 'noncompliant' always means a policy rule violation (like outdated OS or missing encryption) rather than recognizing that Intune can mark a device noncompliant simply for failing to sync within the required timeframe, even if all other policies are satisfied.
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 device has not synced in over 24 hours.
The device last synced 3 days ago, and the output shows ComplianceState: noncompliant. In Microsoft Intune, a device that has not checked in for more than 24 hours is automatically marked as noncompliant because the compliance policies cannot be evaluated without a recent sync. The LastSyncDateTime of 2025-03-15T08:30:00Z confirms the device has not synced within the required 24-hour window, making C the correct answer.
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 device is running an outdated OS version.
Why it's wrong here
The OS version is 10.0.19044, which is Windows 10 20H2, still supported.
- ✗
The device has been retired or wiped.
Why it's wrong here
The management state is 'managed', not 'retired'.
- ✓
The device has not synced in over 24 hours.
Why this is correct
Many compliance policies require a recent sync to remain compliant.
- ✗
The device has no compliance policy assigned.
Why it's wrong here
The device shows a compliance state, so a policy is assigned.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Endpoint Management in Microsoft 365
Key term
Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps organizations manage employee devices, apps, and security policies without needing to own or control the physical hardware.
Key term
Intune
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps organizations manage their users' devices and applications, ensuring security and compliance without needing to own or control the physical hardware.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on MD-102
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. Refer to the exhibit. You run a PowerShell cmdlet to get managed devices and see the output above. The device is noncompliant. What is the most likely reason?
medium- A.The device is not enrolled.
- B.The device name is too long.
- C.The OS version is not supported.
- ✓ D.The device has not synced recently.
Why D: The device is noncompliant because it has not synced recently. In Microsoft Intune, devices must regularly check in to report their compliance status; if a device fails to sync within the configured grace period (typically 30 days by default), it is marked as noncompliant. The PowerShell output shows the device is enrolled and managed, but the last sync time is missing or outdated, triggering the noncompliant state.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This MD-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 MD-102 exam.