Understanding Connection Problems

When your Hacker News MCP server fails to connect, several common issues may be at play. This guide walks you through identifying and resolving the most frequent connection problems to get you back to accessing Hacker News content quickly.

Verify Server Configuration

First, ensure the server is properly configured in your MCP client settings. The server must be declared in your configuration file with the correct command path and any required arguments. Double-check that the server executable or script is located at the specified path and that you have proper permissions to execute it.

If you've recently updated the server or moved files, outdated paths in your configuration can prevent successful connections. Confirm that all file references point to current locations.

Check Network Connectivity

The Hacker News MCP server requires active internet connectivity to communicate with the Hacker News API. Test your network connection by accessing other websites or services. If you're behind a corporate firewall or proxy, it may be blocking outbound requests to Hacker News endpoints.

Firewall rules and network security policies sometimes interfere with API access. If you suspect this is the issue, consult your network administrator about allowing connections to Hacker News domains. Alternatively, test the connection from a different network to isolate whether network restrictions are causing the problem.

Examine Server Logs

Most connection issues reveal themselves through error messages in server logs. Check your MCP client's log output for specific error messages when attempting to connect. Common errors include timeout messages, authentication failures, or API rate limit notifications.

Timeout errors typically indicate network latency or connectivity problems, while rate limit messages suggest you're making too many requests in a short period. The Hacker News API has usage guidelines that, when exceeded, may temporarily restrict access.

Restart the Server Process

Sometimes server processes encounter temporary states that prevent proper operation. Restart your MCP client to force a fresh server initialization. This simple step resolves many transient connection issues caused by corrupted state or incomplete previous connections.

Verify API Availability

Occasionally, Hacker News itself experiences downtime or API disruptions. Visit the Hacker News website directly to confirm it's operational. If the main site is inaccessible, the API will likely be unavailable as well, and you'll need to wait for service restoration.

Update Server Dependencies

Outdated dependencies or incompatible runtime environments can cause connection failures. Ensure you're running a supported version of the required runtime (such as Node.js or Python, depending on your server implementation) and that all dependencies are current.