Common Connection Problems

If you're unable to connect to the Hacker News MCP server, first verify that the server is running and properly configured in your MCP client settings. Check that the server process has started without errors by reviewing the console output or logs. Connection issues often stem from incorrect configuration paths or missing dependencies.

Ensure your MCP client (such as Claude Desktop) has the correct server configuration in its settings file. The configuration should point to the proper server executable or script location. If you've recently updated the server, restart both the server process and your MCP client to ensure changes take effect.

Network connectivity can also cause problems. While the Hacker News MCP server connects to the public Hacker News API, firewall rules or network restrictions might block outbound connections. Verify that your system can reach hacker-news.firebaseio.com, which hosts the official Hacker News API.

API Rate Limiting and Timeouts

The Hacker News API is generally permissive, but excessive requests in rapid succession may result in slower responses or temporary blocks. If you're experiencing timeouts or failed requests, reduce the frequency of your queries. Space out requests when fetching multiple items, and avoid repeatedly requesting the same data within short time windows.

When retrieving comment threads or user profiles with extensive activity, be aware that these operations may take longer to complete. The server must make multiple API calls to build complete datasets. If requests consistently timeout, try narrowing your queries to specific items or smaller date ranges rather than requesting entire histories.

Data Retrieval Errors

If the server returns empty results or error messages, verify that you're requesting valid Hacker News items. Item IDs must correspond to existing stories, comments, or polls on Hacker News. Not all item IDs are sequential or active—some content may have been deleted or flagged by moderators.

User profiles that appear empty or incomplete may belong to deleted accounts or users with minimal activity. Similarly, stories without comments or with missing data may have been removed from the site after initial submission.

Debugging Steps

When troubleshooting persistent issues, enable verbose logging if your MCP client supports it. Log output often reveals specific error messages from the Hacker News API or connection problems between components.

Verify that you're running a compatible version of the server and that all dependencies are properly installed. Check the server's documentation for specific version requirements and update if necessary.

If problems persist after these steps, examine the specific error messages returned by the server. These typically indicate whether issues originate from the MCP connection layer, the server itself, or the external Hacker News API.