๐Ÿ”งTroubleshooting

How to Fix OpenClaw API Key Errors

Beginner15-30 minutesUpdated 2025-03-01

API key errors are among the most frustrating OpenClaw issues because they prevent any LLM interaction. Whether you're seeing 401 Unauthorized responses, "Invalid API key" messages, or silent failures, the root cause is usually one of a few common configuration mistakes. This guide systematically checks each potential failure point.

Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself

These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.

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Incorrect key format or prefix

Wrong key type (publishable vs secret), missing sk- prefix, or corrupted key string

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Expired or revoked keys

Key rotation without updating config, or keys disabled in provider dashboard

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Environment variables not loaded

.env file in wrong location, not loaded by process, or overridden by system env

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Insufficient key permissions

Key lacks required scopes for models, features, or API endpoints

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1

Verify API key format

Ensure the key matches the expected format for your LLM provider.

Step 2

Confirm environment variable loading

Verify that OpenClaw is actually reading the API key from your configuration.

Step 3

Test API key directly with curl

Bypass OpenClaw to verify the key works with the provider API.

Step 4

Check key permissions and scopes

Ensure the API key has access to the models and features OpenClaw needs.

Step 5

Rotate the API key

Generate a fresh key to rule out revocation or corruption issues.

Step 6

Verify provider API status

Check if the LLM provider is experiencing outages or degraded service.

Still Getting 401 Errors?

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Frequently Asked Questions