Understanding Connection Problems

When your Hacker News MCP server isn't connecting properly, the issue typically stems from configuration, network access, or server initialization. This guide walks you through the most common problems and their solutions.

Verify Server Installation

First, confirm the server is correctly installed. Check that all dependencies are present by running the installation command again. If you're using npm, ensure the package installed without errors. Missing dependencies are a frequent cause of connection failures.

Check Your Configuration

The MCP server requires proper configuration in your client application's settings file. Verify that:

• The server command path is correct and points to the actual server executable
• Any required environment variables are set
• The configuration file syntax is valid JSON with no trailing commas or formatting errors

A common mistake is copying configuration examples without adjusting paths to match your system. Use absolute paths when possible to avoid ambiguity.

Firewall and Network Issues

Although the Hacker News MCP server connects to external APIs, connection problems may arise from network restrictions. Check that:

• Your firewall allows outbound connections to Hacker News API endpoints
• Corporate proxies or VPNs aren't blocking API requests
• Your internet connection is stable and active

Try accessing news.ycombinator.com directly in your browser to confirm basic connectivity to Hacker News.

Review Server Logs

Enable verbose logging in your MCP client to see detailed error messages. These logs often reveal the exact point of failure, whether it's during server startup, initial handshake, or API communication. Look for error messages about:

• Permission denied errors (indicating file access issues)
• Module not found errors (pointing to installation problems)
• Timeout errors (suggesting network connectivity issues)

Test API Access Independently

Verify that Hacker News APIs are accessible by testing a simple API call outside the MCP server. Visit https://hacker-news.firebaseio.com/v0/topstories.json in your browser. If this fails, the issue is with Hacker News availability rather than your server configuration.

Restart and Reinitialize

Sometimes the simplest solution works best. Completely restart your AI assistant or MCP client application. This forces a fresh initialization of all MCP servers and can resolve transient connection issues.

Check for Updates

Ensure you're running the latest version of both the MCP server and your client application. Compatibility issues between versions occasionally cause connection failures. Update both components if new versions are available.

Still Having Issues?

If connection problems persist after these steps, document the exact error messages you're seeing, your configuration setup, and the troubleshooting steps you've attempted. This information is crucial for getting effective help from support channels or community forums.