220-1102 Question 183
Single answerWireless wide area network (WWAN)/cellular networkA sales manager uses a company-issued laptop with a built-in LTE modem to access email and CRM data while traveling. At the office, the laptop works normally on Wi-Fi. On the road, Windows shows the cellular adapter is enabled and detects the carrier, but the user cannot connect to the internet. The user confirms there is strong cellular signal in the area. When you review the settings, the WWAN adapter status shows "No SIM". Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
- A
The laptop's Wi-Fi radio is disabled in BIOS
- B
The SIM card is missing, improperly seated, or not being detected
- C
The user is connected to a captive portal that requires web authentication
- D
The cellular tower does not support WPA3 encryption
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
This question tests practical troubleshooting of a WWAN/cellular connection on an endpoint device. In a real support scenario, a message such as "No SIM" is a strong indicator that the system cannot detect the subscriber identity module required for carrier authentication. The best next steps would typically include powering down the device if required by the manufacturer, reseating the SIM, verifying the correct SIM size and orientation, checking for physical damage, confirming the cellular service plan is active, and verifying whether the device uses a physical SIM or eSIM profile. CompTIA A+ objectives expect candidates to distinguish between wireless technologies such as WLAN and WWAN and to recognize that cellular connectivity depends on carrier provisioning and SIM/eSIM identification, not Wi-Fi settings or Wi-Fi encryption standards. Manufacturer service documentation and Microsoft Windows cellular settings documentation commonly reference SIM detection status as a primary troubleshooting checkpoint for mobile broadband issues.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A disabled Wi-Fi radio in BIOS would affect wireless LAN connectivity, not whether the built-in WWAN/LTE modem reports "No SIM." The scenario specifically says the issue occurs while using the cellular connection and that the carrier is detected, so this does not match the symptom.
- B. Correct.
Correct. A WWAN adapter that reports "No SIM" most commonly indicates that the SIM card is absent, not fully inserted, improperly seated, or unreadable due to a fault. Cellular data service on many laptops and tablets depends on a detected and active SIM or eSIM profile. If the system cannot detect the SIM, it cannot authenticate to the carrier's network for data access even when signal strength is good.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Captive portals are typically associated with public Wi-Fi hotspots, not direct WWAN/cellular connections. The symptom "No SIM" points to a hardware or provisioning issue with the cellular module rather than a browser-based login page.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. WPA3 is a Wi-Fi security standard and does not apply to cellular tower authentication. Cellular networks use carrier-specific authentication methods tied to the SIM/eSIM and network registration process, so WPA3 support at a tower is irrelevant here.