Bot Not Responding — Missing API Key
Your OpenClaw bot connects but never replies. Usually caused by a missing or misconfigured API key.
⚠️ The Problem
Your OpenClaw bot is running and connected (you can see it online in Telegram/Discord), but when you send messages, you get no response. The logs may show:
No API key found for provider "anthropic"Or you might see the bot acknowledge your message but never reply.
🔍 Why This Happens
OpenClaw needs an API key from an AI provider (like Anthropic/Claude or OpenAI) to generate responses. The most common causes are:
- API key not configured — You skipped the onboarding step or it failed
- Wrong config file — The gateway is reading a different config than you edited
- Environment variable missing — The key was set in your shell but not in the service
- Typo in config — The key is in the wrong place or has a syntax error
✅ The Fix
Run the onboarding wizard again to configure your API key:
openclaw onboardIf you already have a key, add it directly:
openclaw auth add anthropic# Follow the prompts to enter your API keyVerify the key is configured:
openclaw models statusRestart the gateway to pick up changes:
openclaw gateway restart🔥 Your AI should run your business, not just answer questions.
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📋 Quick Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| openclaw onboard | Re-run the setup wizard |
| openclaw auth add anthropic | Add Anthropic API key |
| openclaw models status | Check if models are available |
| openclaw gateway restart | Restart to apply changes |
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