220-1201 Exam Dumps - CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam (2026)

The correct answer is A. Loopback plug.

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Networking:

A loopback plug is used to test a network interface card (NIC) port by sending a signal out of the port and back into the same port, verifying that the NIC can send and receive data properly.

This is a common diagnostic tool when troubleshooting network connectivity issues on individual devices.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Toner probe: Used for tracing and locating cables, not for testing NIC ports.

C. Cable tester: Checks the integrity of network cables but does not verify NIC send/receive functionality.

D. Network tap: Passively monitors network traffic but does not test the NIC port itself.

Wall Outlet

(empty — nothing goes directly to the wall)

Surge Protector (Power Source: Wall Outlet)

Printer

Scanner

UPS (Power Source: Surge Protector)

Computer

Monitor

Cable Modem

Wi-Fi Router

The correct answer is D. Data is being throttled.

Data throttling refers to the intentional slowing down of internet speeds by a mobile carrier after a user reaches a certain data usage limit or during network congestion. In this scenario, the employee can still successfully upload files, but the speed has decreased compared to before—this is a classic symptom of throttling.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Wireless is turned off

If wireless were turned off, the employee would not be able to upload anything at all. The question clearly states that uploads are still successful.

B. 5G is disabled

Disabling 5G could reduce speeds slightly if the device falls back to 4G/LTE, but it would not typically cause a significant or noticeable degradation unless compared under ideal conditions. It is not the most likely cause.

C. Roaming is turned on

Roaming allows connectivity outside the home network. While it may incur additional charges, it does not inherently cause significant speed reduction in most modern networks. It is less likely than throttling.

Exam Tip (Core 1 220-1201):

Slow but working connection → Think throttling or congestion

No connection → Think disabled wireless or network issues

Final Answer: D. Data is being throttled

A spam gateway is an email-security system positioned in the mail-delivery path. It examines incoming messages and attempts to identify spam, phishing messages, malicious attachments, suspicious links, spoofed senders, and other unwanted content.

Depending on its configuration, a spam gateway can:

Reject the message.

Quarantine it for review.

Mark it as spam.

Deliver it to a junk-mail folder.

Remove or block malicious content.

Because the question specifically asks about preventing unwanted email from reaching an inbox, a spam gateway is the most precise answer.

A proxy server commonly intermediates web or application requests.

An intrusion detection system monitors activity and generates alerts but does not primarily filter email.

A firewall filters network connections and ports but normally does not perform detailed email-content classification.

CompTIA objective 2.3 explicitly identifies spam gateways as network-based internet appliances. Microsoft’s anti-spam documentation explains that spam filtering identifies and separates unwanted email from legitimate messages

The correct answer is D. Verify the audio output assignment.

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Hardware and Troubleshooting:

HDMI carries both video and audio signals. If video displays correctly but audio is not heard, it is often because the computer is still outputting sound to its internal speakers rather than the HDMI-connected device.

The user should check the audio output settings in the operating system and ensure the HDMI device (TV or projector) is selected as the audio output device.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Adjust the volume settings: Volumes are already at 50%, so adjusting them will not solve the problem if the audio output is assigned incorrectly.

B. Swap the HDMI cable: The video is working fine, so the cable is likely functional.

C. Reinsert the HDMI cable: Unlikely to resolve audio assignment issues if the connection is already working for video.

The correct answer is A. Virtual LAN (VLAN).

According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Networking:

VLANs are used to segment a physical network into multiple logical networks. By assigning the accounting department to a separate VLAN, users on other VLANs cannot access its network traffic without routing, thereby isolating sensitive departments while using the same physical switch.

VLANs improve security, reduce broadcast traffic, and allow network administrators to enforce access controls at the layer 2 level.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. DHCP reservations: Ensure that specific devices always receive the same IP address, but do not restrict network access.

C. Content filtering: Controls web or application traffic based on content, not segmenting network access between departments.

D. Port security: Limits which devices can connect to a port but does not provide full network segmentation for an entire department.

Answer of both steps below.

A group of wires with different colors AI-generated content may be incorrect.

A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Because the smudges are not in the original document, CompTIA A+ troubleshooting logic indicates the problem is occurring inside the print process, not in the application or file. For laser printers, smudging commonly points to an issue with the imaging components—especially the drum/photoconductor unit (and sometimes the fuser). A+ Core 1 (220-1201) printer troubleshooting emphasizes starting with the most likely, easiest-to-verify causes before replacing parts. Inspecting the drum is a diagnostic step that can reveal visible defects such as scratches, toner buildup, contamination, or worn surfaces that cause toner to transfer incorrectly, leading to streaks or smears on output.

Replacing the toner (D) is a corrective action and may be unnecessary if the drum is damaged. Changing paper type (A) can help with some issues (like poor fusing or humidity-related problems), but it’s less directly tied to consistent smudges caused by the imaging process. Firmware updates (C) are rarely the first step for print-quality defects; they’re more relevant to compatibility, bugs, or feature issues—not physical smearing. Therefore, inspecting the printer drum first best matches A+ methodology and common laser printer failure points.