Channel troubleshooting

Use this page when a channel connects but behavior is wrong.

Command ladder

Run these in order first:

openclaw status
openclaw gateway status
openclaw logs --follow
openclaw doctor
openclaw channels status --probe

Healthy baseline:

• Runtime: running
• RPC probe: ok
• Channel probe shows connected/ready

WhatsApp

WhatsApp failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
Connected but no DM replies	openclaw pairing list whatsapp	Approve sender or switch DM policy/allowlist.
Group messages ignored	Check requireMention + mention patterns in config	Mention the bot or relax mention policy for that group.
Random disconnect/relogin loops	openclaw channels status --probe + logs	Re-login and verify credentials directory is healthy.

Full troubleshooting: /channels/whatsapp#troubleshooting-quick

Telegram

Telegram failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
/start but no usable reply flow	openclaw pairing list telegram	Approve pairing or change DM policy.
Bot online but group stays silent	Verify mention requirement and bot privacy mode	Disable privacy mode for group visibility or mention bot.
Send failures with network errors	Inspect logs for Telegram API call failures	Fix DNS/IPv6/proxy routing to api.telegram.org.
Upgraded and allowlist blocks you	openclaw security audit and config allowlists	Run openclaw doctor --fix or replace @username with numeric sender IDs.

Full troubleshooting: /channels/telegram#troubleshooting

Discord

Discord failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
Bot online but no guild replies	openclaw channels status --probe	Allow guild/channel and verify message content intent.
Group messages ignored	Check logs for mention gating drops	Mention bot or set guild/channel requireMention: false.
DM replies missing	openclaw pairing list discord	Approve DM pairing or adjust DM policy.

Full troubleshooting: /channels/discord#troubleshooting

Slack

Slack failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
Socket mode connected but no responses	openclaw channels status --probe	Verify app token + bot token and required scopes.
DMs blocked	openclaw pairing list slack	Approve pairing or relax DM policy.
Channel message ignored	Check groupPolicy and channel allowlist	Allow the channel or switch policy to open.

Full troubleshooting: /channels/slack#troubleshooting

iMessage and BlueBubbles

iMessage and BlueBubbles failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
No inbound events	Verify webhook/server reachability and app permissions	Fix webhook URL or BlueBubbles server state.
Can send but no receive on macOS	Check macOS privacy permissions for Messages automation	Re-grant TCC permissions and restart channel process.
DM sender blocked	openclaw pairing list imessage or openclaw pairing list bluebubbles	Approve pairing or update allowlist.

Full troubleshooting:

• /channels/imessage#troubleshooting-macos-privacy-and-security-tcc
• /channels/bluebubbles#troubleshooting

Signal

Signal failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
Daemon reachable but bot silent	openclaw channels status --probe	Verify signal-cli daemon URL/account and receive mode.
DM blocked	openclaw pairing list signal	Approve sender or adjust DM policy.
Group replies do not trigger	Check group allowlist and mention patterns	Add sender/group or loosen gating.

Full troubleshooting: /channels/signal#troubleshooting

Matrix

Matrix failure signatures

Symptom	Fastest check	Fix
Logged in but ignores room messages	openclaw channels status --probe	Check groupPolicy and room allowlist.
DMs do not process	openclaw pairing list matrix	Approve sender or adjust DM policy.
Encrypted rooms fail	Verify crypto module and encryption settings	Enable encryption support and rejoin/sync room.

Full troubleshooting: /channels/matrix#troubleshooting