220-1102 Question 574
Single answerEnable/disableA user reports that after a recent Windows 11 update, their laptop can connect to Ethernet but no longer sees any wireless networks. In Settings, the Wi-Fi section is missing, and the physical wireless switch is already on. Device Manager shows the wireless adapter with a down-arrow icon. The technician wants to restore Wi-Fi access as quickly as possible without reinstalling drivers. What should the technician do first?
- A
Enable the wireless adapter in Device Manager
- B
Uninstall the wireless adapter and scan for hardware changes
- C
Run System Restore to undo the update
- D
Reset the TCP/IP stack with netsh int ip reset
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The key clue is the down-arrow icon in Device Manager, which indicates the device is disabled in Windows. In A+ Core 2 troubleshooting, technicians should use the least invasive and most targeted solution first. Enabling the adapter in Device Manager is the appropriate initial action because a disabled wireless NIC will not appear as an available Wi-Fi interface in Windows Settings. Microsoft documentation for Device Manager identifies disabled devices with a downward arrow and supports re-enabling them from the device's context menu or properties. Other options, such as uninstalling drivers, using System Restore, or resetting TCP/IP, are more appropriate only after confirming the adapter is enabled and still not functioning.
- A. Correct.
Correct. In Device Manager, a down-arrow icon on a device typically indicates that the device is disabled. Enabling the wireless adapter is the fastest and most direct fix when Wi-Fi is missing from Settings because Windows will not present wireless options for a disabled adapter. This addresses the specific symptom without unnecessary changes.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Uninstalling and rescanning can help if a driver is corrupted or improperly detected, but the scenario indicates the adapter is present and simply disabled. This would add unnecessary steps and risk disrupting a working driver configuration.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. System Restore might reverse a problematic update, but it is not the best first step when Device Manager already shows a clear indicator that the adapter is disabled. A technician should start with the least invasive corrective action.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Resetting the TCP/IP stack is useful for network communication issues such as invalid IP configuration or connectivity problems after the adapter is functioning. It does not re-enable a disabled hardware device and would not restore a missing Wi-Fi interface in Settings.