OpenClaw Agent Not Starting – Troubleshoot
Check your API key configuration, verify your agent definition file is valid JSON/YAML, and ensure all required dependencies are installed.
Step-by-Step Fix
1. Verify API Key
Check that your API key is correctly set:
echo $OPENCLAW_API_KEY
If it's empty or incorrect, set it:
export OPENCLAW_API_KEY=your_key_here
2. Validate Configuration File
Ensure your agent configuration is valid:
openclaw validate agent.yaml
3. Install Dependencies
Run the dependency installer:
openclaw install
4. Check Logs
Review the agent logs for specific error messages:
openclaw logs --tail 50
5. Update OpenClaw
Ensure you're running the latest version:
npm update -g openclaw
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Troubleshooting the wrong account or workspace.
- Retrying without checking whether there is an active outage or plan restriction.
- Clearing local state only after multiple failed attempts instead of testing in a clean browser first.
What to Gather Before Contacting Support
- Capture the exact error message and the time it happened.
- Record whether the issue happens on another browser, device, or network.
- Note which account, workspace, or subscription plan is affected.
Explore more OpenClaw errors & bugs fixes
See related guides in the same topic cluster to troubleshoot adjacent issues faster.
Browse all OpenClaw errors & bugs guides →Frequently Asked Questions
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