Understanding Connection Problems

When your Hacker News MCP server fails to connect properly, you may notice that requests for stories, comments, or user profiles don't return data, or your AI assistant reports that it cannot access Hacker News content. Connection issues typically stem from configuration problems, network restrictions, or server state issues rather than problems with Hacker News itself.

Quick Diagnostics

Start by verifying that the server is actually running. Check your MCP server management interface or process list to confirm the Hacker News server appears as active. If the server isn't running, you'll need to start it before proceeding with other troubleshooting steps.

Next, test your general internet connectivity by accessing Hacker News directly in a web browser at news.ycombinator.com. If the website loads normally, the issue lies with your MCP server configuration rather than network access to Hacker News.

Common Configuration Issues

Server Registration

Ensure the Hacker News server is properly registered in your MCP configuration file. The configuration should include the correct server path and any required startup parameters. Check for typos in file paths or command syntax that might prevent the server from initializing correctly.

Firewall and Network Restrictions

Corporate networks or restrictive firewall settings may block the outbound connections the server needs to reach Hacker News APIs. If you're working in a corporate environment, verify that your network allows HTTPS connections to ycombinator.com domains. You may need to request exceptions from your IT department.

Port Conflicts

While the Hacker News server connects to external APIs rather than listening on local ports, conflicts with your MCP infrastructure's communication ports can still prevent proper operation. Ensure no other applications are using ports required by your MCP implementation.

Resolving Connection Failures

If the server starts but fails to retrieve data, try restarting it completely. Stop the server process, wait a few seconds, then start it again. This often resolves temporary state issues or stale connections.

Check for any proxy or VPN configurations that might interfere with API access. Some VPN services or corporate proxies require special configuration for application-level requests. Temporarily disabling these services can help identify whether they're causing the problem.

Testing Your Connection

Once you've addressed potential issues, verify the connection by requesting simple data like top stories. Ask your AI assistant to fetch the current top stories from Hacker News. A successful response confirms that the server is connected and functioning properly.

If problems persist after these steps, consult your MCP implementation's logs for specific error messages that can provide additional diagnostic information.