Connecting to the Console Serial Port in Web-Based VEXcode EXP – VEX Library

To print to the Console in web-based VEXcode EXP, a connection to the Console Serial Port is needed. This second port is needed because the first serial port links the EXP Brain to the device for project downloads from a browser.

Note: To print to the Console, the EXP Brain must stay connected to the device via a USB cable while using the Console Serial Port.

VEXcode EXP Print Console that is unavailable and shows a message that reads Console Serial port is currently not connected. Please connect to the Console Serial Port to use the Print Console. There is a link to Learn More below.

If the Console Serial Port is not connected, the Print Console in VEXcode EXP will show as unavailable.

Connecting to the Console Serial Port

EXP Brain with its Check button highlighted.

Ensure the EXP Battery is charged and is connected to the EXP Brain.

Turn on the Brain by pressing the Check button on the Brain.

Brain connected to a laptop computer using a USB cable.

Connect the EXP to your device using the USB-C cable.

VEXcode EXP with the Brain dropdown menu opened and a Brain already connected. The Console Serial Port status is Disconnected, and the button below reads Connect Console Serial Port.

Ensure the EXP is connected to the device via the first web-serial port. For more information on this connection process, view the article for your device:

VEXcode EXP Toolbar with the green Brain icon highlighted, indicating that the Brain is connected.

Once the Brain is connected to the first web-serial port, select the green Brain icon.

VEXcode EXP with the Brain dropdown menu opened and a Brain already connected. The Console Serial Port status is Disconnected, and the button below is highlighted and reads Connect Console Serial Port.

Select Connect Console Serial Port.

macOS/Chromebook

Windows

Select each image above to enlarge.

A prompt will appear based on your device. Select Continue.

macOS/Chromebook

macOS or Chromebook browser connection window, with two items titled VEX Robotics EXP Brain. One item is already paired and has an ID number of 8401, and the other has an ID number of 8403. The item with the ID of 8403 is highlighted.

Windows

Windows browser connection window with two listed items. The first item reads Vex Robotics User Port, and the second reads Vex Robotics Communications Port and it is already paired. The item titled Vex Robotics User Port is highlighted.

Select each image above to enlarge.

macOS/Chromebook: Select the EXP with the HIGHEST ID number from the list of Brains available. The lowest ID number will already be paired.
Windows: Select User Port. The Communications Port will already be paired.

macOS/Chromebook

macOS or Chromebook browser connection window, with the item with the ID number of 8403 selected. Below, the Connect button is highlighted.

Windows

Windows browser connection window with the item reading Vex Robotics User Port selected. The Connect button below is highlighted.

Select each image above to enlarge.

Select Connect once your choice is highlighted.

VEXcode EXP with the Brain dropdown menu opened and a Brain connected. The Console Serial Port status reads Connected and it is highlighted.

Once the connection is successful, the Console Serial Port will display as Connected. The Print Console will now be available for use.

Disconnecting from the Console Serial Port

To disconnect your device from a EXP, unplug the USB-C cable from your device or the Brain.

Powered on EXP Brain with its X button highlighted.

You can also disconnect a EXP from web-based VEXcode EXP by turning the Brain off.

Turn the Brain off by holding the X button until the screen on the Brain goes black.

VEXcode EXP with the Brain dropdown menu opened and no Brain connected.

Both of the methods above will disconnect the EXP Brain from both web-serial ports, showing the Brain icon as white.