220-1101 Question 23
Single answerSpeakersA user reports that their desktop PC powers on normally, but no sound comes from the external speakers during video playback. You confirm that the operating system is not muted and the media player's volume is turned up. The speakers have a power LED that is off. The speaker cable is plugged into the PC's green 3.5 mm audio-out jack. Which action should the technician take FIRST?
- A
Replace the sound card because the green audio jack is likely defective
- B
Connect the speakers to a USB port so the operating system can detect them
- C
Verify that the speakers are connected to AC power and that their power switch is on
- D
Reinstall the audio driver because video playback with no sound usually indicates a driver issue
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
This question tests practical speaker troubleshooting in a real support scenario. External desktop speakers commonly require both an audio connection and a separate power source, either via AC adapter or built-in power cable. If the power LED is off, the issue is more likely related to speaker power than to software, drivers, or the sound card. A technician should follow basic troubleshooting methodology: identify obvious symptoms, check power, verify cables, and only then move to driver or hardware replacement steps. This aligns with standard PC audio troubleshooting practices and the CompTIA A+ emphasis on checking simple physical issues before escalating to more complex causes.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. A failed sound card or audio jack is possible, but it is not the first thing to suspect when the speakers' own power LED is off. Powered external speakers require power independent of the audio signal connection. Basic physical checks should be performed before replacing hardware.
- B. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Standard analog speakers that use a 3.5 mm audio plug are not typically powered or detected through USB. Connecting them to USB would not normally provide the correct audio interface or guarantee power unless they are specifically designed as USB speakers, which is not indicated in the scenario.
- C. Correct.
This is correct. The powered speakers' LED being off strongly suggests the speakers are not receiving power or are switched off. For external powered speakers, verifying AC power, the power adapter, and the speaker power switch is a standard first troubleshooting step before investigating drivers or internal PC components.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Driver issues can cause audio problems, but the strongest clue in this scenario is that the speakers themselves appear unpowered. CompTIA troubleshooting best practice is to start with the most obvious and simple physical causes first, especially power and cable connections.