Troubleshooting
Most connection problems come down to a handful of causes. Work through the ones that match your setup.
Claude Desktop does not see Avlok
Section titled “Claude Desktop does not see Avlok”Restart Claude Desktop. New configuration is only picked up on restart. Quit it fully and reopen. This fixes most cases.
Check the path in the config. The command in claude_desktop_config.json must point at the real avlok_mcp binary on your computer. Rather than typing it, use the copy button in Avlok’s Settings → AI Integration, which fills in the correct path, and paste that.
Make sure the local server is on. In Avlok, Settings → AI Integration, confirm the local server toggle is enabled.
Confirm the config is valid JSON. A missing comma or brace will stop Claude from loading any connector. The Avlok entry goes inside the mcpServers block.
A web assistant cannot connect
Section titled “A web assistant cannot connect”Confirm Cloud AI Access is on. In Avlok, Settings → AI Integration, Cloud AI Access must be enabled. It is included with Pro and Family; if you are on Free, you will be offered the trial.
Use the exact connector URL. Copy it from Settings → AI Integration. A mistyped address will not connect.
Finish signing in. The connection is not active until you have signed in with your Avlok account and approved it. If you closed that window early, remove the connector and add it again.
The assistant connects but finds nothing
Section titled “The assistant connects but finds nothing”Give processing time to finish. If you just added folders, Avlok may still be working through them. Searches only cover photos already processed.
Check your shared folders (cloud). On the cloud connection, an assistant can only see folders you included in Cloud AI Access. If the photos you expect are in a folder you left out, include it. Folders marked private are never shared.
Try a different description. Search reads what is in the picture. If one phrasing misses, try another: “orange sky over water” instead of “sunset.”
Searching the words in a video does not work on the web
Section titled “Searching the words in a video does not work on the web”This is expected. Searching the words spoken in videos is a desktop feature. On a web assistant, use the Avlok desktop app for it. The cloud connection will tell the assistant as much rather than failing quietly.
People search is missing or empty
Section titled “People search is missing or empty”Naming people happens on your device, and the relevant tools surface only names you have assigned. Depending on your settings and your region, this feature may be limited or turned off. It is never active without your action.