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MCP server not showing up? 8 fixes

Most MCP servers that do not show up have one of three problems: invalid JSON in the config file, the app was not fully restarted, or the command (npx, uvx, docker) is not installed or not on the app's PATH. Fix those first, then check the client logs.

  1. Validate the JSON. One missing comma or bracket breaks the whole config file silently.
  2. Restart fully. Quit the app completely, not just the window.
  3. Check the key name. VS Code uses servers; Claude Desktop, Cursor and Windsurf use mcpServers.
  4. Is the command installed? Run npx --version, uvx --version or docker --version in a terminal.
  5. PATH problems. Desktop apps may not see the PATH your terminal uses. Use the full path to the command, for example /usr/local/bin/npx.
  6. Missing API key. Many servers exit at start if a required key is missing from env.
  7. Read the logs. Claude Desktop shows logs under Settings → Developer; Claude Code shows status with /mcp.
  8. Remote server? Check the URL opens and that you completed the sign-in step.