# Exa Search MCP Server Status

Is the Exa Search MCP server up? Live check of mcp.exa.ai, plus the fixes that solve most connection problems.

URL: https://shortformkit.com/exa-mcp-status/
Updated: 2026-10-14

**The check above sends the official Exa Search MCP endpoint https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp the first request every MCP client sends. Up means it answers; no account is needed. If it is up and your connector still fails, work through the fixes below.**

| MCP server URL | https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp |
|---|---|
| Transport | Streamable HTTP |
| Authentication | no sign-in |
| Product | [Exa](https://exa.ai) |

## Exa Search MCP not working? Fix it in this order

- **Look at the live check above.** If it says Down, the problem is on Exa Search's side and usually clears up on its own; check again in a few minutes.
- **Use the current URL**: https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp.
- **No sign-in is needed.** Exa Search answers without an account. If your client asks for a login or an API key, the URL is probably wrong; paste it again exactly as above.
- **Check the network.** VPNs, company proxies and firewalls can block mcp.exa.ai. Try another network to rule it out.
- **Update the client.** Older clients only speak stdio or the old SSE transport. Current Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and VS Code versions support remote servers over HTTP.
- **Test it outside your client.** Paste the URL into our [MCP Server Tester](https://shortformkit.com/mcp-server-tester/?url=https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp) to see exactly what the server answers.

## Add Exa Search MCP to your client

**Claude (claude.ai, desktop):** Customize, Connectors, + Add, Add custom connector, paste https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp. **Claude Code:** claude mcp add --transport http exa https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp. **Cursor:** { "mcpServers": { "exa": { "url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp" } } }. **VS Code:** { "servers": { "exa": { "type": "http", "url": "https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp" } } }.

Status of the other servers: [MCP server status overview](https://shortformkit.com/mcp-server-status/).

## How it works

1. **Check the live status** Up, including HTTP 401, means the server answers.
2. **Use the current URL** https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp
3. **Reconnect** Paste the URL again exactly.

## FAQ

**Is Exa Search MCP down right now?**
The live check at the top of this page tests https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp at most every five minutes. Up, including HTTP 401, means the server is answering.

**What is the Exa Search MCP server URL?**
https://mcp.exa.ai/mcp.

**Why is Exa Search MCP not working in Claude or Cursor?**
Most often an outdated URL or a blocked network. No sign-in is needed, so check that the URL matches exactly and try another network.


Source: Shortform Kit (https://shortformkit.com/exa-mcp-status/). Free, no login.