Ann, a user, reports that she is unable to connect to any local network resources or Internet sites. The technician discovers that her IP address is 169.254.13.197. Which of the following is MOST…

The correct answer is C. Not able to reach a DHCP server. The IP address 169.254.x.x belongs to the APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) range, which Windows automatically assigns to a network adapter when it cannot obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. This is a self-assigned fallback address that only allows communication with…

Networking

Question

Ann, a user, reports that she is unable to connect to any local network resources or Internet sites. The technician discovers that her IP address is 169.254.13.197. Which of the following is MOST likely the cause?

Options

AIncorrect username and password credentials
BRogue HOSTS file entries
CNot able to reach a DHCP server
DIncorrect subnet mask

How the community answered

(41 responses)

A
2% (1)
B
5% (2)
C
90% (37)
D
2% (1)

Explanation

The IP address 169.254.x.x belongs to the APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) range, which Windows automatically assigns to a network adapter when it cannot obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. This is a self-assigned fallback address that only allows communication with other APIPA-addressed devices on the same local segment - it provides no gateway access and no Internet connectivity. The presence of a 169.254.x.x address is a definitive indicator that the DHCP server was unreachable. Incorrect credentials affect authentication, not IP assignment. HOSTS file entries affect name resolution but not IP assignment. An incorrect subnet mask would still show a valid DHCP-assigned address.

Topics

#APIPA#DHCP failure#169.254.x.x#IP addressing

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