Common Connection Problems

If you're experiencing difficulties connecting to the Hacker News MCP server, start by verifying that the server process is actually running. Check your MCP client's server status or logs to confirm the server has started successfully. Connection failures often occur simply because the server hasn't been launched or crashed during startup.

Next, ensure your MCP client configuration correctly references the Hacker News server. The server must be properly declared in your client's configuration file with the correct command and any required arguments. A typo in the server path or misconfigured settings will prevent the connection from establishing.

Network and API Issues

The Hacker News MCP server relies on the official Hacker News API to fetch data. If you're getting timeout errors or empty responses, the Hacker News API itself may be experiencing issues or rate limiting. Try accessing https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com directly in your browser to verify the API is operational.

Firewall or network restrictions can also block the server's outbound requests to Hacker News. If you're on a corporate network or using strict firewall rules, ensure your system allows HTTPS connections to Firebase domains, which host the Hacker News API.

Server Not Responding

If the server appears to be running but doesn't respond to requests, check the server logs for error messages. Common issues include missing dependencies, incorrect Node.js versions, or permission problems. The server requires Node.js and appropriate network access to function properly.

Try restarting the MCP server completely. Sometimes transient issues resolve themselves after a fresh start. In your MCP client, disconnect from the server and reinitialize the connection.

Debugging Steps

Enable verbose logging in your MCP client to see detailed information about the communication between your client and the server. This often reveals where the connection process is failing.

Test with simple requests first. Try retrieving top stories before attempting more complex operations like fetching comment threads or user profiles. This helps isolate whether the issue affects all functionality or specific features.

Getting Help

If connection problems persist after these troubleshooting steps, check the server's GitHub repository for known issues or updates. Other users may have encountered similar problems with documented solutions. Review any recent changes to your system configuration, as updates to your MCP client or operating system might affect server connectivity.