A user reports lack of network connectivity on a laptop. No hardware changes have recently occurred on the laptop. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?

While a port could be faulty, checking the cable is a more frequent first step for a sudden loss of connectivity.

A faulty or disconnected network cable is a common cause of network connectivity loss and is typically the simplest physical component to verify when no hardware changes have occurred.

A firewall issue would likely restrict specific types of traffic rather than cause a complete lack of connectivity, and it's less likely to be the first point of failure for a sudden loss compared to a cable.

NIC configuration issues are less likely if no hardware or software changes related to the NIC have recently occurred, making a physical connection check more appropriate first.