220-1101 Question 16
Single answerLightningA user brings in an older iPad and says it charges normally with a known-good Lightning cable and wall adapter, but when connected to a Windows laptop it only charges and does not appear in File Explorer or iTunes/Finder-equivalent device software. Other USB devices are detected properly by the laptop. You inspect the cable and notice it is a third-party cable with no visible damage. Which is the BEST next step to isolate the problem?
- A
Replace the third-party cable with a certified Lightning-to-USB data cable and test again
- B
Install a Thunderbolt driver on the Windows laptop so the Lightning device can enumerate
- C
Disable USB selective suspend in Windows because Lightning does not support normal USB power negotiation
- D
Use a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter instead, because Lightning ports only transfer video when connected to computers
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The key troubleshooting principle is to isolate the simplest and most likely point of failure first. In this scenario, the iPad charges, which confirms power delivery, but the laptop does not detect the device for data access. A common real-world cause is a charge-only or noncompliant third-party Lightning cable. Apple Lightning cables and accessories are expected to support both power and data when designed for synchronization, and Apple has long recommended using certified accessories for reliable operation. From an A+ Core 1 perspective, this question tests understanding of connector types, cable functionality, and practical troubleshooting: power working does not guarantee data connectivity. The best practice is to swap in a known-good certified Lightning data cable before moving to software or driver troubleshooting.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A Lightning cable may provide power but still fail to carry data, especially if it is charge-only or a low-quality third-party cable. Replacing it with a known-good certified Lightning data cable is the best next troubleshooting step because the iPad already charges, the laptop detects other USB devices, and the issue specifically involves data connectivity over the Lightning connection.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Lightning and Thunderbolt are different technologies. A Lightning-connected iPad does not require a Thunderbolt driver to be detected over standard USB. This option reflects a common confusion between Apple's Lightning connector and Intel/Apple Thunderbolt interfaces.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. USB selective suspend can affect some USB devices, but it is not the best first step here. The stronger clue is that charging works while data transfer does not, which commonly points to the cable itself. Also, Lightning devices do use standard USB host communication when connected through the appropriate cable.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Lightning ports on iPads can support charging, data, and accessories depending on the cable or adapter used. They are not limited to video when attached to computers. A Lightning-to-HDMI adapter is for display output and would not resolve a USB data detection problem.