In addition is it possible that the cable is slightly broken? Because I could see it possible that the cable is slightly severed.
Update! it is not the cable being an issue I have tried a different cable which I have verified to work on other devices
Hi
The anet a8, doesn't have a 6 pin connector as such, but the exp2 port is the place where you connect the programmer to, so that you can dump the firmware and burn a bootloader.
Before I stripped my a8, and converted it to the recreator, then re-flashed it with a customised version of marlin 2.0, I dumped the factory firmware, which I used with octopi. If you want I can send you a link to download the firmware backup I have?
Check this link for the details on what you'll need to flash a bootloader, what tools you'll need etc etc
Edited to remove typo