Objects do not stay selected when entering a command in AutoCAD

After selecting objects in AutoCAD and then executing a command, the selection is cleared and the objects must be selected again to complete the command. In some cases, the command may end or fail to execute entirely. 

Causes:

• The PICKFIRST system variable is set to 0 (zero). The PICKFIRST system variable controls whether objects can be selected before (noun-verb selection) or after (verb-noun) issuing a command.
• When using tools or commands from the ribbon, the QFLAGS variable is set to 0.
• The installation of AutoCAD or the AutoCAD user profile is corrupted.

Solution:

Do one or more of the following:

• On the command line in AutoCAD, type PICKFIRST and set the value to 1.
• On the command line in AutoCAD, type QAFLAGS and set the value to 0 (zero).
• Reset AutoCAD to defaults