220-1101 Question 441
Single answerStylus does not workA graphic designer reports that the active stylus for a Windows tablet suddenly stopped responding during a client meeting. Finger touch input still works normally on the screen, and the tablet is otherwise functioning correctly. The stylus worked the previous day. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST to resolve the issue?
- A
Replace or recharge the stylus battery and then retest the stylus
- B
Reinstall the tablet's operating system to restore touch functionality
- C
Replace the tablet's digitizer because finger touch and stylus use the same hardware path
- D
Disable capacitive touch input so the stylus can regain control of the display
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best first action is to verify the stylus power source. In real-world support and on A+ Core 1, stylus problems are commonly narrowed by determining whether the issue is with the pen, the tablet, or the touchscreen subsystem. Since finger touch still works, the tablet's basic touch capabilities are intact, making the stylus itself the most likely starting point. For active styluses, checking or replacing the battery is a standard first-line troubleshooting step. Manufacturer guidance for active pens from vendors such as Microsoft, Lenovo, HP, and Dell commonly includes verifying pen battery charge or replacing the battery before deeper troubleshooting like Bluetooth pairing checks, driver updates, or hardware service. This follows best practice: begin with simple, noninvasive, high-probability fixes before escalating to software reinstallation or hardware replacement.
- A. Correct.
Correct. For an active stylus, one of the first and most practical troubleshooting steps is to check power. Many active pens depend on an internal or replaceable battery, and a depleted battery commonly causes the stylus to stop responding even when normal finger touch continues to work. This matches standard CompTIA troubleshooting logic: start with the simplest and most likely fix before moving to invasive repairs.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Reinstalling the operating system is far too drastic as a first step, especially when the tablet itself is working and finger touch remains functional. The issue is isolated to the stylus, so power, pairing, compatibility, or pen-specific settings should be checked before considering major software recovery actions.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Finger touch working normally suggests the display and general touch functionality are still operational. While some devices use separate sensing methods for pen input versus finger touch, immediately replacing the digitizer is not the best first step. This option reflects the common mistake of jumping to hardware replacement before basic stylus troubleshooting.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Capacitive touch input does not normally need to be disabled for an active stylus to function. Modern tablets are designed to support finger touch and stylus input together. This option reflects a misconception about input conflicts rather than a standard troubleshooting practice.