N8n instance-level MCP connector shows "Connected" but loads zero tools (base tools missing)

Questions
1

n8n instance-level MCP connector shows “Connected” but loads zero tools (base tools missing)

Describe the problem/error/question

Environment

  • Client: Claude (desktop app / claude.ai connectors)
  • MCP server: n8n Cloud, instance-level MCP
  • Server URL: https://tefi.app.n8n.cloud/mcp-server/http
  • Auth: OAuth2
    What I expect
  • After connecting, the three base tools (search_workflows, get_workflow_details,
    execute_workflow) should load and my MCP-enabled workflows should be reachable.
    What happens
  • Connector reports “Connected,” but no n8n tools appear in any conversation
    (existing or brand-new). Tool list is completely empty.
  • Re-adding the URL returns “A server with this URL already exists / That connector
    is already installed,” yet the connector still offers “Reconnect,” and at times
    appears under the “Not connected” section.
  • Disconnect/reconnect (tried 3+ times) has no effect at the conversation level.
    n8n side is fully verified correct
  • Instance-level MCP: Enabled.
  • Target workflows: Published AND toggled Available in MCP (they show “Remove access”
    / “disconnect” in the Instance-level MCP list).
  • Server URL confirmed correct.
    Troubleshooting already done
  • Removed and re-added connector multiple times.
  • Started multiple new conversations.
  • Confirmed workflows are published and MCP-enabled.
  • Confirmed instance is publicly accessible (n8n Cloud).
    Conclusion
  • Appears to be a client-side issue: Claude fails to load the base MCP tools despite
    a valid, reachable n8n MCP server and a “Connected” status.

What is the error message (if any)?

Please share your workflow

(Select the nodes on your canvas and use the keyboard shortcuts CMD+C/CTRL+C and CMD+V/CTRL+V to copy and paste the workflow.)

Share the output returned by the last node

Information on your n8n setup

  • n8n version: Running version n8n@2.27.4
  • Database (default: SQLite):
  • n8n EXECUTIONS_PROCESS setting (default: own, main):
  • Running n8n via (Docker, npm, n8n cloud, desktop app): n8n cloud
  • Operating system: Windows 10 Pro, version 22H2, build 19045.6466. Installed on 9 April 2021.
2

@Bobsled

Please do this

  1. Retrieve your Access Token:

    • In your n8n instance, go to Settings →→ Instance-level MCP​.
    • Navigate to the Connection details →→ Access Token tab.
    • Copy the Access Token provided there.

  2. Edit the Claude Desktop Configuration:

    • Since you are on Windows 10, open the following file in a text editor (like Notepad or VS Code): %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
    • (If the file doesn’t exist, create it in that directory).

  3. Add the n8n MCP Server configuration: Add (or merge) the following JSON into the mcpServers block. Replace YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE with the token you copied in Step 1:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://tefi.app.n8n.cloud/mcp-server/http",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE"
      ]
    }
  }
}

  1. Restart Claude Desktop:

    • Fully quit the Claude Desktop application (ensure it is closed in the system tray) and restart it.
    • The base tools (search_workflows, etc.) and your enabled workflows should now appear in the tool list.

Note: This fix is exclusive to the Desktop app. The claude.ai web connector remains affected by the Anthropic-side bug.

3

Thank you!

Antropic arrived just as I started to implement your cure.

Problem solved and support proven.

I appreicate your help.

Kind regards,
Tate