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Troubleshooting Connection Issues with Hacker News API

Understanding Connection Problems

Connection issues with the Hacker News MCP server typically stem from configuration errors, network problems, or API availability. This guide will help you diagnose and resolve the most common connectivity problems.

Verify Server Configuration

Start by confirming your MCP server configuration is correct. Check that the Hacker News server is properly listed in your MCP settings file (usually mcp.json or similar). The server should be enabled and pointing to the correct installation path. If you recently updated the server, ensure you've restarted your AI assistant or application to load the new configuration.

Check Network Connectivity

The Hacker News MCP server requires internet access to communicate with Hacker News APIs. Verify your internet connection is working by visiting https://news.ycombinator.com in your browser. If you're behind a corporate firewall or using a VPN, these may block or restrict API access. Check with your network administrator if you suspect network policies might be interfering with connections.

Test API Accessibility

Hacker News occasionally experiences downtime or rate limiting. To verify the API is available, try accessing https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com/v0/topstories.json directly in your browser. If this URL doesn't load or returns an error, the issue is with Hacker News availability rather than your configuration. In this case, wait a few minutes and try again.

Review Server Logs

Most MCP implementations provide logging capabilities. Check your server logs for specific error messages that can pinpoint the problem. Look for connection timeout errors, authentication failures, or API response errors. These logs often contain the exact information needed to identify the root cause.

Restart the Server

Sometimes a simple restart resolves temporary connection issues. Stop the MCP server completely, wait a few seconds, then restart it. This clears any cached connection states and establishes fresh connections to the Hacker News API.

Check for Rate Limiting

While the Hacker News API is generally permissive, excessive requests in a short time might trigger rate limiting. If you're making many rapid requests, space them out more gradually. Wait a few minutes if you suspect rate limiting has occurred.

Verify Dependencies

Ensure all required dependencies for the server are installed and up to date. Missing or outdated packages can cause connection failures that aren't immediately obvious. Consult the server's installation documentation to confirm all prerequisites are met.

Still Having Issues?

If problems persist after trying these steps, the issue may be environment-specific. Document the exact error messages you're seeing, note your operating system and MCP client, and consult the server's repository or support channels for additional assistance.

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