220-1101 Question 36
Single answerEnable pairingA user brings you a new Bluetooth barcode scanner and asks you to connect it to a Windows laptop used at a shipping desk. Bluetooth is already turned on in Windows, but the laptop cannot find the scanner during a device search. The scanner's battery is charged and it works when tested with another computer. Which action should the technician take FIRST to allow the laptop to detect and connect to the scanner?
- A
Enable pairing mode on the barcode scanner
- B
Disable Wi-Fi on the laptop to prevent wireless interference
- C
Install a printer driver for the scanner before pairing
- D
Assign the scanner a static IP address in Windows Bluetooth settings
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best first step is to enable pairing mode on the Bluetooth scanner so the Windows laptop can discover it. In real-world support and on the A+ Core 1 exam, pairing mode is required for many Bluetooth devices before they appear in the operating system's Add Device list. Typical best practice is to verify Bluetooth is enabled on the host, place the peripheral into pairing or discoverable mode according to the manufacturer's instructions, then select it in the OS and complete any PIN or confirmation prompt if required. Microsoft Bluetooth setup guidance and manufacturer documentation for Bluetooth peripherals consistently emphasize making the device discoverable before pairing.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Many Bluetooth peripherals are not discoverable until they are placed into pairing mode. If the scanner is not actively advertising itself for pairing, the laptop will not detect it during a scan. On the A+ Core 1 exam, enabling pairing mode is a common first step when connecting Bluetooth devices such as scanners, headsets, keyboards, and speakers.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Although radio interference can affect wireless performance, Bluetooth devices must first be discoverable to appear in a device search. Disabling Wi-Fi is not the normal first troubleshooting step for a device that is not in pairing mode, and modern systems commonly operate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth together.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A Bluetooth scanner must typically be paired and connected before any device-specific software or advanced configuration is needed. Also, a barcode scanner is not paired by installing a printer driver, so this reflects a misunderstanding of how Bluetooth peripherals are added in Windows.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Bluetooth peripherals such as barcode scanners do not use a static IP address for basic pairing. IP addressing is relevant to network connections such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi, not standard Bluetooth device pairing in Windows.