Understanding Connection Problems

Connection issues with the Hacker News MCP server typically stem from a few common causes: network connectivity problems, API rate limiting, incorrect server configuration, or issues with the MCP client itself. This guide will help you identify and resolve these issues quickly.

Check Basic Connectivity

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, verify that your system has internet access and can reach Hacker News APIs. Try accessing https://news.ycombinator.com in your browser to confirm the service is available. If the website loads normally but your MCP server still can't connect, the issue likely lies in your configuration or environment.

Verify Server Configuration

Ensure the Hacker News MCP server is properly installed and configured. Check that all required dependencies are installed and up to date. If you're using a configuration file, review it for syntax errors or incorrect parameters. Common issues include missing environment variables or incorrect file paths that prevent the server from initializing correctly.

Examine Server Logs

Server logs are your best diagnostic tool. Look for error messages that indicate what's failing. Connection timeout errors suggest network issues, while authentication or permission errors point to configuration problems. If you see "rate limit exceeded" messages, you may be making too many requests too quickly.

Address Rate Limiting

The Hacker News API has rate limits to prevent abuse. If you're hitting these limits, you'll receive errors when attempting to retrieve data. Space out your requests by adding delays between calls. For applications that need frequent updates, consider implementing caching to reduce the number of API calls required.

Test with Simple Queries

Isolate the problem by testing basic functionality first. Try retrieving a single story by ID or fetching the top stories list. If simple queries work but complex ones fail, the issue may be with how you're structuring requests rather than the connection itself. This approach helps narrow down whether the problem is fundamental connectivity or request-specific.

Restart and Reconnect

Sometimes the solution is straightforward: restart the MCP server and reconnect your client. This clears any stuck connections or corrupted state that may have accumulated. If problems persist after a restart, the issue is likely configuration-related rather than a temporary glitch.

Check Firewall and Proxy Settings

Corporate networks or security software may block connections to external APIs. Verify that your firewall allows outbound HTTPS connections and that any proxy settings are correctly configured. If you're behind a corporate proxy, you may need to configure proxy settings in your environment variables.

When to Seek Additional Help

If you've exhausted these troubleshooting steps and still experience issues, gather your logs, configuration details, and a description of the specific error messages you're seeing. This information will be essential for getting targeted support from the community or maintainers.