OpenClaw API Common Error Codes and How to Fix Them

When integrating with the OpenClaw API, many developers encounter various error codes. This article breaks down the most frequent ones and offers practical solutions to help you quickly pinpoint issues and avoid common pitfalls.

Authentication Error: 401 Unauthorized

The most common cause of a 401 error is an invalid or expired API key. Check your OpenClaw console to make sure the key status shows "Active," and verify that the Authorization header in your request is formatted correctly, e.g., Bearer your_api_key. If you just generated a new key, wait a few minutes or re-copy it to avoid trailing spaces.

Request Timeout: 408 Request Timeout

Frequent timeouts are usually related to network conditions or server load. Start by testing connectivity to the OpenClaw API endpoint using a tool like curl. If the network is fine, try reducing the max_tokens parameter in single requests or upgrading to a plan with higher concurrency limits. Also, avoid sending many short requests during peak hours; consider implementing an exponential backoff retry mechanism.

Parameter Format Error: 400 Bad Request

A 400 error often results from improperly formatted JSON in the request body—for example, missing required fields like model or prompt, or data type mismatches (e.g., passing an integer as a string). Use a JSON validator to check your payload, and refer to the official OpenClaw documentation for each field's required status and valid range. A common pitfall is setting the temperature parameter outside the 0–2 range.

Rate Limit Exceeded: 429 Too Many Requests

A 429 status means you’ve hit the rate limit, usually from sending too many requests in a short period. Check the "Usage" page in your console to see your current RPM/TPM quotas. Two fixes: first, optimize your code by merging multiple requests into batch requests; second, contact OpenClaw support to increase your rate limit—especially for enterprise users. Temporarily reducing your request frequency can also bring things back to normal quickly.