Most connection problems start at your web host, not in WordPress. The quickest way to find out is Test the connection: it shows what reached your website and tells you what to change.
“Couldn’t reach the server”, or connecting never finishes
Why it happens. Most often your host, a firewall or a security plugin blocks Claude’s or ChatGPT’s servers before WordPress sees them. The connection test tells you which.
- Open Getting started and run Test the connection (in step 2, Retest the connection).
- It says what reached your site and gives you a message to send to your host if they block it.
- With SiteGround, Cloudflare or Wordfence, the test lists the exact setting to change.
It signs in, then every request looks signed out
Why it happens. Your server removes the sign-in from each request before WordPress sees it.
- Run Test the connection in Getting started. It shows the one line to add to your site’s .htaccess file, or to send to your host.
An employee fails with “it returned a web page”
Why it happens. Your host’s security filter stopped the request and sent back a web page instead of an answer. Some filters block requests with words like “system (” or a bit of code in them, and lock Claude out for a while after a few. To protect you, an employee tries once more at most, then stops and tells you your host blocked it.
- Run Test the connection in Getting started. It also checks whether your host filters words like these.
- If it does, the result says “Your host blocks some of what your AI employees send” and gives you a message to send your host. Click Copy and send it.
- Once your host has changed it, run the employee again in a new chat.
Connections says Claude signed in but hasn’t used the connection since
Why it happens. Claude signed in, but nothing from it reached your website afterwards. Usually your host blocks Claude or removes its sign-in.
- Click Test the connection in the yellow bar on Settings → Connections.
- Follow what the result says. See Connections.
The Approve screen says you aren’t allowed to connect
Why it happens. Only the roles chosen under Who can approve a connection can approve, and only roles that can write posts.
- Sign in to WordPress as an administrator and approve it, or open Settings → Connections and add your role under Who can approve a connection.
The Approve screen says your license has expired or isn’t active
Why it happens. Claude and ChatGPT can only be connected while your HowToAI School Connector license is active.
- Click Add license key on that screen, or open License in the plugin’s menu, and activate your key. If you aren’t an administrator, ask one to do it.
- Start the connection again from Claude or ChatGPT.
A tool answers that your license isn’t active
Why it happens. Every tool your employees use needs an active HowToAI School Connector license, reading your website included. Only a few small tools that save your team’s memory work without one.
- Open License and paste your license key from your account on howtoaischool.com. See Activate your license.
- Run the skill again. There is nothing to change in Claude or ChatGPT.
The License screen says the license server couldn’t be reached
Why it happens. Your website checks your license with check.howtoaischool.com twice a day. Your host or a firewall may be blocking that address, or the server didn’t answer in time. Your license keeps working for up to 24 hours after its last good check.
- Wait a few minutes and click Activate or Update key again.
- If it keeps failing, ask your host to let your website reach check.howtoaischool.com.
A new license key failed
Why it happens. The new key isn’t valid for this website, for example it is already used on another site. The message ends with “Your current license key still works.”: nothing changed.
- Check the key in your account on howtoaischool.com, and free it from the other website if needed.
- Paste it again on the License screen.
