220-1101 Question 432
Single answerImproper chargingA user reports that their company-issued smartphone charges very slowly during the workday and sometimes loses battery percentage even while plugged in. The phone charges normally with the original wall charger at home. At the office, the user usually connects the phone to a desktop PC's front USB port using an old generic cable. Which is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
- A
The desktop's front USB port and generic cable are not providing sufficient charging current for the smartphone
- B
The smartphone battery must be replaced because any battery that discharges while plugged in is defective
- C
The operating system needs to be reinstalled because slow charging is usually caused by corrupted mobile drivers
- D
The phone is incompatible with AC power and should only be charged from a computer USB port
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The key troubleshooting clue is that the smartphone charges normally with the original wall charger at home but not when connected to a desktop's front USB port with a generic cable. That points to improper charging due to insufficient power from the USB source, cable limitations, or both. In A+ Core 1 troubleshooting, technicians should compare behavior with a known-good charger and cable, verify the power source, and recognize that USB ports may provide less current than a manufacturer-approved AC adapter. Front-panel USB ports and low-quality cables are common real-world causes of slow charging. Best practice is to test with the original manufacturer charger or a known-good equivalent that meets the device's required power specifications.
- A. Correct.
This is correct. A front USB port on a desktop may provide limited power compared with the phone's original AC adapter, and an older or low-quality cable can further reduce charging performance. In real-world troubleshooting, improper charging commonly results from using an underpowered USB source or a cable not rated for reliable power delivery. This explains why the phone charges normally with the original wall charger but slowly at work.
- B. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. A failing battery can cause poor runtime or charging abnormalities, but the scenario specifically says the phone charges normally with the original wall charger at home. That strongly suggests the battery is still functional and points instead to the charging source or cable used at the office.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Slow or inadequate charging is typically a hardware or power-delivery issue, not a mobile operating system reinstallation issue. While software can affect battery drain, corrupted drivers are not the most likely explanation when the charging problem occurs only with a specific port and cable combination.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Smartphones are designed to charge from AC adapters and often charge faster that way because the adapter can supply more current than many USB data ports. This option reflects a misunderstanding of normal mobile device charging behavior.