OPenClaw FAQ: Registration, API Keys, and Error Troubleshooting – The Complete Guide

OPenClaw is a popular AI tool, but new users often encounter problems during registration and API calls. This article summarizes the most frequently asked questions, covering everything from account creation to key management and error handling, helping you get started smoothly and avoid unnecessary hassle.

What to Do If You Don't Receive the Verification Email

If the verification email hasn't arrived, there are two main reasons. First, the email address might be entered incorrectly or blocked by your domain's filter. Use international email services like Gmail or Outlook, and avoid addresses with corporate spam filters. Also, check your spam folder. If everything looks correct, it could be a server cache delay—wait 10 to 15 minutes and try sending the verification email again. If multiple attempts still fail, contacting support with your registered username and an alternate email address will speed things up.

Common API Key Errors and How to Fix Them

"401 Unauthorized" is the most frequent error, meaning your API key is invalid or expired. Double-check that you copied the full key, paying attention to any leading spaces. Then verify in the OPenClaw dashboard whether the key status is "Active" or "Revoked." If it's revoked, generate a new one on the "API Keys" page. Another common error is "429 Too Many Requests," which indicates temporary rate limiting. To resolve it, reduce your request frequency, add a backoff delay, or upgrade to a higher quota plan.

Account Locked or Disabled – How to Recover

Account lockouts typically happen after multiple failed password attempts or suspicious login activity (e.g., from an unusual IP address). First, reset your password—the system will send an unlock link to your registered email. If the account still shows as disabled after the reset, check whether you've violated the Terms of Service (e.g., bulk registration, API abuse). In that case, submit a support ticket with details about your use case and identity verification. Official replies usually take 1–3 business days. Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of lockouts.

Subscription Payment Failures and Billing Issues

If your credit card is declined during subscription payment, first confirm that the card network supports international transactions (Visa/Mastercard recommended) and that you have sufficient funds. Some banks block overseas charges, so it's best to call your bank in advance to lift the restriction. If the payment was deducted but the subscription isn't active, take a screenshot of the payment receipt and send it to OPenClaw support—they'll manually reconcile and enable access. Also note that the switch from free tier to paid subscription after using up your free quota is not clearly highlighted on the front end, leading to unexpected charges. To avoid this, set a spending limit or disable auto-renewal in the "Billing" section.