Why can a PC ping its local router but not the internet?
Short answer
D Incorrect default gateway
Question
Key Takeaways
This question tests your ability to isolate Layer 3 connectivity issues: successful local communication with the router but failure to reach remote networks points directly to a default gateway problem, not VLAN or routing protocol misconfiguration.
In CompTIA Network+ N10-008 troubleshooting scenarios, a PC that can be pinged from its local router but cannot reach the internet typically has an incorrect default gateway. The community overwhelmingly agrees that answer D is correct, as the issue is isolated to the PC's routing beyond its local subnet.
Common mistake: The most common wrong answer is C. Improper VLAN assignment, because candidates confuse VLAN segmentation with routing. If the PC were on the wrong VLAN, it typically could not ping the HR router at all, unlike the scenario described.
Expert Analysis
Community Comment Notes
Comments like the one from the top-voted user explain that the PC can ping the router on the same subnet but cannot leave it, which is a classic gateway issue. Another commenter helpfully clarifies that a wrong VLAN would prevent even local communication with the HR router, reinforcing why C is incorrect. The consensus in the votes (86 for D) confirms that Network+ exam takers recognize this as a textbook default-gateway troubleshooting scenario.
Official Reference
- https://www.comptia.org/certifications/network
- https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-network-n10-008-exam-objectives-(5-0)
These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
On the exam, focus on the phrase 'can ping from the HR router' — it tells you the PC is on the correct VLAN and has a valid IP. Then ask yourself what is needed to exit the subnet: a correct default gateway.
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 8 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 8
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e5c1bb5 👍 9 Answered Dthis has to be D. it can ping the router on the same net or subnet but cannot connect outside the net IE routing problems bad gateway settings. correct me if wrong.
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stinkle 👍 2Can't get out of it's own subnet, you have a GW issue. D.
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Mamad66 👍 1 Answered CThe fact that the technician can ping the PC from the human resources router but not from the IT network suggests that the PC might be on a different VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network). VLANs are used to logically separate devices on a network. If the new PC was not properly assigned to the correct VLAN, it would not be able to communicate with devices outside of its VLAN, hence the inability to connect to the internet.
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Ty13 👍 1 Answered DIt's D. Pretending the HR VLAN is .10 and IT VLAN is .20, a device with the wrong VLAN (pretend .30) wouldn't be able to talk to the HR router in the first place. If it has the wrong default gateway, then it can send data on the HR VLAN (.10) but any data destined outside of that VLAN wouldn't be routed.
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ATrek 👍 1 Answered DPC can be pinged from the local router - L3 addressing works locally and PC is on the HR vlan. BUT PC can not go out to the internet and can not be pinged from outside the HR network, meaning traffic can not leave the HR router. Therefore the gateway is incorrect.
Show 3 more comments
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emilia_088 👍 2I would go with D
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buscan422 👍 1 Answered CC. Improper VLAN assignment.
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Bunaventi 👍 1 Answered Did go with D
Reader comments & corrections
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