Troubleshooting: MCP Server Disconnected
The Problem
After saving your Claude Desktop config file correctly, you may still see one or both of
These errors in the Claude Desktop Developer settings:
- MCP demo-wordpress-uichemy-mcp: Server disconnected
- MCP uichemy-api-mcp: Server disconnected
This is almost always caused by a missing or outdated Node.js installation on your
machine. Claude Desktop requires NodeJS & NPX to connect to remote MCP Servers.
Root Cause
- Node.js is not installed
- Node.js is installed but running an outdated version
- NVM (Node Version Manager) is not installed
How to Fix It
Step 1 — Install Node.js
Visit the official Node.js website and download the installer for your operating system:
Download Node.js: https://nodejs.org/en/download
Available for: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps. Once complete, restart the Claude Desktop.
If you are still having issues, move on to Step 2.
Step 2 (Optional) — Install NVM (Node Version Manager)
Note: This is only needed if you are still seeing connection errors after completing Step 1 and Step 4.
NVM lets you manage and switch between Node.js versions easily. Even if Node.js is
already installed, NVM ensures you are running the correct version required by the
MCP Server.
For Windows:
- Go to the NVM for Windows releases page:
https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows - Click Download Now, scroll down to Assets, and download nvm-setup.exe
- Run nvm-setup.exe and complete the installation.
For macOS / Linux:
Run this command in your terminal:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.4/install.sh | bash
Note: If you see “Profile not found” after running the above command, it means NVM could not automatically configure your shell. Run these two lines manually to load NVM in your current session:
export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
To make it permanent, run echo $SHELL first to check your shell, then use the matching command:
For zsh (/bin/zsh):
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> ~/.zshrc && echo '[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc
For bash (/bin/bash):
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> ~/.bashrc && echo '[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"' >> ~/.bashrc && source ~/.bashrc
Step 3 — Install and Use the LTS Version of Node.js
If Node.js is already installed on your system but the MCP servers are still not
connecting, it is likely running an outdated version. Run these two commands in your
terminal to switch to the LTS version:
nvm install 24
nvm use 24
Step 4 — Restart Claude Desktop
Fully quit Claude Desktop — not just close the window, actually quit the application.
Reopen it and wait for it to fully load.
Your MCP servers should now connect successfully.
You will see both listed under Connectors:
- WordPress MCP (your site)
- UiChemy API MCP
Quick Summary
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Download and install Node.js from nodejs.org/en/download |
| 2 (Optional) | Download and install NVM — nvm-setup.exe (Windows) or via terminal (Mac/Linux) |
| 3 | Run: nvm install lts then nvm use lts |
| 4 | Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop |
