220-1101 Question 429
Single answerPoor battery healthA user reports that their 3-year-old laptop drops from 40% battery charge to shutting off within a few minutes, even though the AC adapter works correctly and the battery still charges to 100%. You verify that the laptop runs normally when plugged in. Which action is the BEST next step to resolve the issue?
- A
Replace the laptop battery because its capacity has likely degraded with age and charge cycles
- B
Reinstall the operating system to reset the battery management subsystem
- C
Update the Wi-Fi driver because network power usage is causing the sudden shutdown
- D
Replace the AC adapter because inconsistent input power is the most likely cause
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is to replace the battery. In real-world laptop support, sudden percentage drops, shortened runtime, and unexpected shutdowns despite an apparently normal charge level are classic indicators of poor battery health. Lithium-ion batteries naturally lose capacity over time due to age, charge cycles, and heat exposure. CompTIA A+ Core 1 expects candidates to distinguish between battery failure, charging system issues, and software problems. Best practice is to confirm that the AC adapter and charging circuit are functioning, then replace the battery if the system is stable on AC but unreliable on battery power. This aligns with manufacturer guidance from major laptop vendors and general lithium-ion battery service recommendations.
- A. Correct.
Correct. This scenario strongly indicates poor battery health rather than a charging problem. A battery that reports a percentage but then rapidly drops and shuts off is often suffering from reduced capacity or failed cells. In A+ troubleshooting, if the system operates normally on AC power and the adapter is confirmed good, replacing the worn battery is the most appropriate corrective action.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Reinstalling the operating system is not an appropriate first-line fix for a physically degraded battery. While software can sometimes misreport battery status, the symptom of a 3-year-old battery charging but discharging abnormally fast is much more consistent with battery wear. This option reflects the common misconception that all power issues are software-related.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A Wi-Fi driver problem would not typically cause the battery percentage to collapse from 40% to shutdown within minutes. Wireless usage can affect battery runtime somewhat, but it does not usually create severe, abrupt drops like this. This distractor targets the misconception that any power drain symptom is caused by a high-usage component.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The AC adapter has already been verified as working correctly, and the laptop operates normally when connected to external power. A bad adapter would more likely cause charging failures, intermittent power loss while plugged in, or inability to maintain system operation under load. It would not be the best next step in this scenario.