---
id: tuhi-assistant.ai-assistant-cant-connect-to-storage-studio
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/tuhi-assistant/ai-assistant-cant-connect-to-storage-studio
category: "Tuhi, your storage assistant"
subcategory: "AI access for other assistants"
question: "Why can't my AI assistant connect to Storage Studio?"
alt_questions:
  - "MCP connection not working"
  - "Claude can't reach Storage Studio"
  - "AI access keeps failing"
  - "Couldn't start AI access"
  - "Claude Desktop doesn't show Storage Studio"
short_answer: "Check that Allow local assistant access is on and running in Settings → Connections, that your assistant has the current access key, that Storage Studio is running for a direct connection, and restart your assistant after pasting the snippet."
tags: ["ai access", "troubleshooting", "mcp"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/tuhi-assistant/how-do-i-turn-on-ai-access", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/tuhi-assistant/two-ways-to-connect-an-assistant"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why can't my AI assistant connect to Storage Studio?

Work through these quick checks:

1. In **Settings → Connections**, make sure **Allow local assistant access** is on and the pane says it's running. If it shows "Couldn't start", turn it off and on again.
2. If you use **Require an access key**, check the key your assistant has matches the one shown — copy it again, or regenerate and reconnect.
3. With a direct connection, keep Storage Studio running.
4. After pasting the snippet, **restart your assistant** so it loads the new setup.

If it still won't connect, [contact support](https://storagestudio.us/faq/tuhi-assistant/how-do-i-contact-support-through-tuhi).