Understanding Connection Problems

If you're experiencing issues connecting to the Hacker News API through your Needle MCP server, don't worry—most connection problems have straightforward solutions. This guide will walk you through the most common issues and how to resolve them.

Check Your Internet Connection

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, verify that your device has a stable internet connection. The Hacker News MCP server requires consistent network access to communicate with Hacker News APIs. Try accessing other websites or services to confirm your connection is working properly.

Verify Server Configuration

Ensure your MCP server is correctly configured in your Needle settings. The server should be properly installed and listed in your MCP configuration file. Check that there are no typos in the server path or configuration parameters. If you recently updated Needle, you may need to restart the application for changes to take effect.

API Rate Limits

Hacker News has rate limiting in place to prevent abuse. If you're making numerous requests in a short timeframe, you might temporarily hit these limits. If you suspect this is the issue, wait a few minutes before attempting to access the API again. Space out your requests when retrieving large amounts of data or repeatedly querying for updates.

Firewall and Security Settings

Corporate networks, VPNs, or firewall software can sometimes block API requests. If you're on a restricted network, check with your network administrator to ensure that outbound connections to Hacker News servers aren't being blocked. Temporarily disabling your firewall (on a trusted network) can help identify if this is the source of the problem.

Server Status

Occasionally, Hacker News itself may experience downtime or performance issues. Visit the Hacker News website directly in your browser to confirm the service is operational. If the main site is inaccessible, you'll need to wait until service is restored.

Restart the MCP Server

Sometimes a simple restart resolves connection issues. Stop and restart your Needle application to refresh the MCP server connection. This clears any temporary connection states that might be causing problems.

Check for Updates

Ensure you're running the latest version of both Needle and the Hacker News MCP server. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements to connection handling. Check the server's repository or Needle's update mechanism for available updates.

Still Having Issues?

If you've tried these steps and still can't connect, check the server logs for specific error messages. These logs often contain detailed information about what's failing, which can guide further troubleshooting or help when seeking community support.