Understanding Connection Problems

Connection issues with the Hacker News API through your Carbon Voice MCP server typically stem from a few common sources. Before diving into troubleshooting, it's helpful to understand that the server acts as an intermediary between Carbon Voice and Hacker News, so problems can occur at multiple points in this chain.

Quick Diagnostics

Start by determining whether the issue is with your local setup or the external Hacker News service. Try accessing Hacker News directly through your web browser at news.ycombinator.com. If the site loads normally, the problem likely lies with your MCP server configuration rather than Hacker News itself.

Common Issues and Solutions

Server Not Starting

If the MCP server fails to start, check that all dependencies are properly installed. The server requires Node.js and specific packages to function correctly. Review your installation logs for any error messages indicating missing dependencies or version conflicts.

Verify that no other application is using the same port your MCP server needs. Port conflicts are a frequent cause of startup failures.

Timeout Errors

When requests to the Hacker News API time out, this usually indicates network connectivity issues or rate limiting. The Hacker News API, while generous, does have usage limits. If you're making many rapid requests, implement delays between calls to avoid being throttled.

Check your firewall and network settings to ensure outbound connections to Hacker News aren't being blocked. Corporate networks and strict firewall rules can prevent the server from reaching external APIs.

Authentication or Configuration Errors

Review your MCP server configuration file to ensure all settings are correct. Even small typos in configuration parameters can prevent successful connections. Pay particular attention to any API endpoints or server URLs specified in your setup.

Stale or Missing Data

If the server connects but returns no data or outdated information, the Hacker News API may be experiencing temporary issues. Wait a few minutes and retry your request. You can check Hacker News API status by visiting their Firebase-hosted API endpoint directly.

When to Seek Additional Help

If problems persist after trying these solutions, gather error logs from your MCP server and note the specific requests that fail. This information will be valuable when seeking support from the Carbon Voice community or reviewing the server's GitHub repository for known issues.