Understanding Connection Problems

When your Hacker News MCP server fails to connect or retrieve data, the issue typically stems from network configuration, API availability, or server setup problems. This guide will help you diagnose and resolve common connection issues quickly.

Check Your Network Connection

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, verify that your system has a stable internet connection. The Hacker News MCP server requires outbound network access to reach the Hacker News API endpoints. Try accessing https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com/v0/topstories.json directly in your browser. If this fails to load, you may have network restrictions or firewall rules blocking the connection.

Verify Server Configuration

Ensure your MCP server is properly configured in your Claude Desktop or application settings. The configuration file should correctly reference the Hacker News MCP server executable or script. Double-check that all paths are accurate and that the server has the necessary permissions to run.

If you recently updated the server, restart your application completely to ensure the new configuration takes effect. Sometimes cached configurations can cause connection failures even after fixing underlying issues.

Firewall and Proxy Settings

Corporate networks and security software often block API requests. If you're behind a corporate firewall or using a proxy, you may need to configure your environment to allow connections to Firebase domains, which host the Hacker News API.

Check your firewall logs for blocked connections to firebaseio.com domains. If you find blocked requests, add exceptions for Hacker News API endpoints. For proxy environments, ensure your proxy settings are correctly configured in your system environment variables.

API Rate Limiting

While the Hacker News API is generally permissive, excessive requests in a short timeframe can trigger rate limiting. If you're experiencing intermittent connection failures or timeout errors, you may be hitting rate limits. Wait a few minutes before retrying, and consider spacing out your requests if you're querying data programmatically.

Examine Server Logs

Most MCP servers generate logs that provide detailed information about connection attempts and errors. Locate your server's log files and look for error messages related to network timeouts, refused connections, or authentication failures. These logs often reveal the specific issue preventing successful connections.

Test with Simple Queries

Once your server appears to be running, test the connection with a simple request like "show me the top Hacker News stories." This basic query should return results quickly if the connection is working properly. If simple queries fail while complex ones succeed sporadically, you may be experiencing timeout issues rather than fundamental connection problems.

When to Seek Further Help

If you've verified all these elements and still experience connection issues, the problem may lie with the Hacker News API itself, though this is rare. Check Hacker News status updates or community forums to see if others are reporting similar problems.