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openclaw/docs/channels/troubleshooting.md
Seb Slight 9a3f62cb86 docs: add symptom-first troubleshooting hub and deep runbooks (#11196)
* docs(troubleshooting): add symptom-first troubleshooting runbooks

* docs(troubleshooting): fix approvals command examples

* docs(troubleshooting): wrap symptom cases in accordions

* docs(automation): clarify userTimezone missing-key behavior

* docs(troubleshooting): fix first-60-seconds ladder order
2026-02-07 10:28:19 -05:00

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Markdown

---
summary: "Fast channel level troubleshooting with per channel failure signatures and fixes"
read_when:
- Channel transport says connected but replies fail
- You need channel specific checks before deep provider docs
title: "Channel Troubleshooting"
---
# Channel troubleshooting
Use this page when a channel connects but behavior is wrong.
## Command ladder
Run these in order first:
```bash
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](/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`. |
Full troubleshooting: [/channels/telegram#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](/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](/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/imessage#troubleshooting-macos-privacy-and-security-tcc)
- [/channels/bluebubbles#troubleshooting](/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](/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](/channels/matrix#troubleshooting)