Fix: 401 Unauthorized / Invalid API Key

This page helps you fix API authentication errors when OpenClaw tries to connect to AI providers.

🔴 Raw Error Log (What You Actually See)

You may see one of these errors:

Error: Request failed with status code 401

Or:

Error: Invalid authentication
Error: Incorrect API key provided
Error: Invalid API key

Or OpenClaw seems to work but:

• Bot replies with empty messages
• Bot says "I cannot help with that"

If your situation matches, you are in the right place.

🔍 Why This Happens (Root Cause)

The API key in your .env file is:

1. Missing entirely
2. Copied incorrectly (extra spaces, quotes, or line breaks)
3. Expired or revoked
4. Wrong key for the service (e.g., using OpenAI key for Anthropic)

✅ How to Fix It (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Check for Invisible Spaces (Most Common!)

Open your .env file and look carefully:

# ❌ WRONG - has trailing space
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-1234567890abcdef   

# ❌ WRONG - has quotes
OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-1234567890abcdef"

# ❌ WRONG - has line break in middle
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-1234567890
abcdef

# ✅ CORRECT - clean, no extras
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-1234567890abcdef

Step 2 — Verify Key is Active

For OpenAI:

1. Go to OpenAI API Keys
2. Check if your key is listed and not revoked
3. Check Billing — you need credits!

For Anthropic:

1. Go to Anthropic Console
2. Verify your API key is active
3. Ensure you have credits loaded ($5 minimum)

Step 3 — Generate a New Key (If Needed)

If your key might be compromised or isn't working:

1. Delete the old key from the provider's dashboard
2. Create a new key
3. Update your .env file with the new key

Step 4 — Restart OpenClaw

⚠️ Critical: OpenClaw only reads .env when it starts!

# Stop the bot (Ctrl+C)
# Then restart
npm run start

🔎 Verify the Fix

After applying the fix, run:

npm run start

Then try sending a message to the bot.

✅ Expected Result

The bot responds with an intelligent reply instead of:

• Empty messages
• "I cannot help with that"
• Error messages

❌ Still Not Working?

• If you see 429 errors: Check Fix: 429 Too Many Requests
• If you see timeout errors: Your network may be blocking API access

🧭 Advanced Notes

Using Multiple API Keys?

If your .env has keys for multiple services:

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

Make sure both keys are valid if OpenClaw uses both services.

🔗 Related: Common Errors Summary | Error Dictionary