data/reusables/copilot/mcp/troubleshooting-mcp-server.md

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, there are a few common troubleshooting steps you can take.

Authorization issues

If you are having trouble authorizing the MCP server, ensure that:

• You are signed in to {% data variables.product.github %} in your choice of IDE.

If you are authenticating with a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} (PAT), ensure that:

• Your GitHub PAT is valid and has the necessary scopes for the actions you want to perform.
• You have entered the correct PAT.

Copilot agent mode problems

If you are having trouble with the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} agent mode, ensure that:

• You have selected the correct agent in the {% data variables.copilot.copilot_chat_short %} box.
• You have configured the MCP server correctly in your IDE.
• You have the necessary permissions to perform the actions you are trying to execute.

Push protection block

If you are using the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server and push protection blocks a secret that you believe is safe to expose, you may be able to bypass the block by specifying a reason for allowing the secret. See AUTOTITLE.

General tips

If you are experiencing other issues with the {% data variables.product.github %} MCP server, here are some general tips to help you troubleshoot:

• Check the output logs of the MCP server for any error messages.
• If you are running the MCP server locally, ensure that your local environment is set up correctly for running Docker containers.
• Try restarting the MCP server or your IDE.