---
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"
---

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`
- `Connectivity probe: ok`
- `Capability: read-only`, `write-capable`, or `admin-capable`
- Channel probe shows transport connected and, where supported, `works` or `audit ok`

## 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: [WhatsApp troubleshooting](/channels/whatsapp#troubleshooting)

## 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`.                                                                          |
| Polling stalls or reconnects slowly | `openclaw logs --follow` for polling diagnostics | Upgrade; if restarts are false positives, tune `pollingStallThresholdMs`. Persistent stalls still point to proxy/DNS/IPv6. |
| `setMyCommands` rejected at startup | Inspect logs for `BOT_COMMANDS_TOO_MUCH`         | Reduce plugin/skill/custom Telegram commands or disable native menus.                                                      |
| Upgraded and allowlist blocks you   | `openclaw security audit` and config allowlists  | Run `openclaw doctor --fix` or replace `@username` with numeric sender IDs.                                                |

Full troubleshooting: [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: [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; watch for `botTokenStatus` / `appTokenStatus = configured_unavailable` on SecretRef-backed setups. |
| 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: [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:

- [iMessage troubleshooting](/channels/imessage#troubleshooting)
- [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: [Signal troubleshooting](/channels/signal#troubleshooting)

## QQ Bot

### QQ Bot failure signatures

| Symptom                         | Fastest check                               | Fix                                                             |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Bot replies "gone to Mars"      | Verify `appId` and `clientSecret` in config | Set credentials or restart the gateway.                         |
| No inbound messages             | `openclaw channels status --probe`          | Verify credentials on the QQ Open Platform.                     |
| Voice not transcribed           | Check STT provider config                   | Configure `channels.qqbot.stt` or `tools.media.audio`.          |
| Proactive messages not arriving | Check QQ platform interaction requirements  | QQ may block bot-initiated messages without recent interaction. |

Full troubleshooting: [QQ Bot troubleshooting](/channels/qqbot#troubleshooting)

## Matrix

### Matrix failure signatures

| Symptom                             | Fastest check                          | Fix                                                                       |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Logged in but ignores room messages | `openclaw channels status --probe`     | Check `groupPolicy`, room allowlist, and mention gating.                  |
| DMs do not process                  | `openclaw pairing list matrix`         | Approve sender or adjust DM policy.                                       |
| Encrypted rooms fail                | `openclaw matrix verify status`        | Re-verify the device, then check `openclaw matrix verify backup status`.  |
| Backup restore is pending/broken    | `openclaw matrix verify backup status` | Run `openclaw matrix verify backup restore` or rerun with a recovery key. |
| Cross-signing/bootstrap looks wrong | `openclaw matrix verify bootstrap`     | Repair secret storage, cross-signing, and backup state in one pass.       |

Full setup and config: [Matrix](/channels/matrix)

## Related

- [Pairing](/channels/pairing)
- [Channel routing](/channels/channel-routing)
- [Gateway troubleshooting](/gateway/troubleshooting)
