If your agent replies without calling any MCP tool, work through these checks. Most cases come down to the connection, the tool selection, the per-chat limit, or your plan.
Check the connection
Open the MCP card and click Test Connection. If it fails, the agent silently drops its tools for every reply. Fix the connection first, then try again.
Check which tools are allowed
On the connected card, confirm the tool you expect is checked in Tools the AI can use, and that you clicked Save selection. A saved change applies on the next message.
Check the per-conversation limit
An agent can make up to five MCP tool calls in one conversation. After the fifth, it answers without calling more in that chat.
Check your plan
MCP needs a plan that includes it. If your plan changed, the tools stop working even though the card may still show the server. See Compare Mando plans and pricing.
When a tool is simply not needed
The agent calls a tool only when it helps answer the question. If it already knows the answer, it replies directly. That is expected, not a problem.