What should you do if you only see Automatic Selection when selecting the communications port for your Cortex?

If you only see Automatic Selection when selecting the communications port for your Cortex, disconnecting and reconnecting the USB A-to-A cable is the most effective initial step. This action can help refresh the connection between the computer and the Cortex, allowing the system to recognize the device properly. A loose or faulty connection might prevent the computer from detecting the port correctly, causing the software to only show the automatic selection option.

Changing the USB port on the computer or restarting the Cortex may also help, but these steps are generally secondary to ensuring the cable connection is secure. Reinstalling the firmware is more of a troubleshooting step for more fundamental issues but might not even be necessary if the cable connection is the primary problem. Therefore, starting with the cable connection is a logical and effective approach.