220-1101 Question 84
Single answerBluetoothA user reports that a Bluetooth headset used for Teams calls on a Windows laptop disconnects whenever they walk to a conference room about 25 feet away. The headset works normally when they stay at their desk. Wi-Fi connectivity remains stable, and the headset battery is fully charged. Which action is the BEST next step for the technician to improve the headset's reliability?
- A
Replace the laptop's Wi-Fi adapter with a higher-gain 802.11ax card
- B
Move or attach the Bluetooth radio closer to the user, such as by using a USB Bluetooth adapter on a short extension cable
- C
Reconfigure the headset to use NFC instead of Bluetooth for the audio connection
- D
Disable device encryption so the Bluetooth signal can travel farther
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best answer is to move the Bluetooth radio closer to the user. Bluetooth is designed for short-range personal area networking, and real-world range depends heavily on radio class, obstructions, antenna placement, and interference. In office environments, a headset may work well at a desk but become unreliable when the user moves behind walls or farther from an internal or poorly placed adapter. A practical best practice is to reduce obstacles and improve adapter placement before replacing equipment. This aligns with standard Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance from major vendors and operating system documentation: verify battery status, confirm pairing, reduce interference, and improve proximity or adapter placement when range is the likely issue.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Although many wireless combo cards provide both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, upgrading the Wi-Fi standard or antenna for 802.11ax does not directly solve a short-range Bluetooth coverage issue for the headset. The scenario specifically indicates Wi-Fi is already stable, so focusing on Wi-Fi is a common but incorrect troubleshooting path.
- B. Correct.
This is correct. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology, and practical range can be reduced by body blocking, desk placement, walls, metal furniture, and interference. Repositioning the Bluetooth radio closer to the user is a realistic troubleshooting step that can improve signal reliability without replacing the headset. In real support situations, using a USB Bluetooth adapter or extension cable to move the radio out from behind a desktop or docking area often improves performance.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. NFC is used for very short-range pairing or tap-to-connect functions on some devices, not for carrying an ongoing headset audio stream during calls. Choosing this option reflects a misunderstanding of the role of NFC versus Bluetooth in peripheral connectivity.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Bluetooth security settings such as encryption and pairing do not function as a range booster. Disabling encryption would reduce security and would not meaningfully extend usable distance. This distractor targets the misconception that reducing protocol overhead improves radio range.