OpenClaw Troubleshooting & Guides

Documentation index for error resolution, hardware verification, and deployment.

What are you trying to do?

Diagnose a runtime error

OOM, Exit 137, NVML mismatch, JSON parsing.

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Verify hardware limits

Check VRAM & system requirements before debugging.

Run Preflight Check
Start a clean deployment

Set up OpenClaw in a controlled environment.

View Deployment Hub

Top Fixes

High-frequency error resolutions.

Docker Exit Code 137 in OpenClaw Running DeepSeek R1

Docker exit code 137 indicates OOM killer termination. In DeepSeek R1 workloads, this is caused by insufficient available memory. This is a hardware ceiling, not a Docker bug.

Model Requires More System Memory Than Is Available - DeepSeek R1 in OpenClaw

DeepSeek R1 reports 'model requires more system memory than is available' when physical RAM is insufficient. This is a hardware ceiling, not a configuration bug.

Failed to Allocate Memory for KV Cache - DeepSeek R1 in OpenClaw

KV cache allocation failure indicates insufficient VRAM for context storage. This is a hardware ceiling, not a configuration bug.

CUDA Out of Memory - DeepSeek R1 32B on 24GB GPU

CUDA out of memory on 24GB GPU with DeepSeek R1 32B indicates VRAM exhaustion. This is a hardware ceiling, not a configuration bug.

Fix: Failed to initialize NVML (Driver/library version mismatch) in OpenClaw + WSL2

Getting 'Failed to initialize NVML: Driver/library version mismatch' when running OpenClaw with DeepSeek R1? Here's why it happens in WSL2/Docker and how to fix it — or avoid it entirely.

Torch CUDA Out of Memory DeepSeek R1 Fix (OpenClaw Guide)

Getting 'torch cuda out of memory' when running DeepSeek R1 with OpenClaw? Here's what it actually means, what works locally, and when you need real GPU capacity.

All Guides by Category

Runtime & Memory Errors

OOM, CUDA errors, memory allocation failures

Fix OpenClaw CUDA OOM: The $0.50 Solution vs. The 4-Hour Debug

Stop fighting VRAM physics. Copy my config to fix OOM on RTX 3090, or see why renting an H100 is cheaper than your hourly rate.

OpenClaw Slow Inference? Why 3.5s/token Is Normal (And How to Fix It)

OpenClaw generating at 3.5 seconds per token? That's painfully slow. Learn why Mac RAM bandwidth kills inference speed, and see the config that gets you to 100 t/s.

Torch CUDA Out of Memory DeepSeek R1 Fix (OpenClaw Guide)

Getting 'torch cuda out of memory' when running DeepSeek R1 with OpenClaw? Here's what it actually means, what works locally, and when you need real GPU capacity.

Windows Errors

PowerShell, permissions, and Node.js issues on Windows

spawn npm ENOENT on Windows (OpenClaw CLI Failed to Start)

Command line crashing with "spawn npm ENOENT"? This guide shows the exact Node.js PATH fix. Stop reinstalling—it's not worth your time.

Fix 'Failed to start CLI: Error: spawn EINVAL' in OpenClaw

OpenClaw plugin install fails with 'spawn EINVAL'? Here is the Admin PowerShell fix.

install.ps1 npm ENOENT on Windows (PowerShell Fix)

Getting "install.ps1 cannot be loaded"? This guide fixes the Execution Policy blocking you. Don't waste time on complex workarounds.

Docker Errors

Container permissions, volume mounts, and uid mismatch

Fix 'Error: EACCES: permission denied' in OpenClaw Docker (openclaw.json)

Docker permission denied? Here is the chown fix and rootless solution.

Spawn & Environment Errors

CLI startup failures and npm path issues

Fix 'Failed to start CLI: Error: spawn npm ENOENT' in OpenClaw

See the 'spawn npm ENOENT' error? It means Node/NPM is missing or not in your PATH. Here is the instant fix for Mac, Linux, and Docker.

Fix OpenClaw spawn EINVAL Errors

A decision system for spawn EINVAL. Not a bug hunt. A reality check.

Plugin & Extension Errors

Chrome extensions and bundled components missing

[Solved] Fix 'package.json missing' in OpenClaw (Extension Error)

Getting 'package.json missing' or 'bundled chrome extension is missing'? This guide shows the exact fix and why further reinstalling is not worth your time.

Configuration & Setup

DeepSeek R1 setup and hardware requirements

Running OpenClaw with DeepSeek R1: The Unofficial, Battle-Tested Guide

An honest, no-BS guide to running OpenClaw with DeepSeek R1. What works, what crashes, and why your laptop is not enough.

How to fix OpenClaw JSON Mode parsing errors with DeepSeek R1

OpenClaw fails to parse JSON responses from DeepSeek R1. Learn why the thinking tags break JSON mode and how to fix it with a simple system prompt adjustment.

Can I Run OpenClaw? VRAM Calculator & GPU Reality Check

Don't guess. Use this instant VRAM calculator to check if your GPU can run DeepSeek R1/V3 on OpenClaw. Avoid OOM crashes before you deploy.

Security

Security Alerts

CVE-2026-25253: OpenClaw RCE Vulnerability - Critical Security Alert

OpenClaw has a critical Remote Code Execution vulnerability. Learn how to patch it, or use a VPS to isolate your AI setup.

Additional Resources

Hubs, tutorials, and reference material.

Fix 'Cannot find module @mariozechner/clipboard-linux-arm-gnueabihf' in OpenClaw

Fix OpenClaw crash on Linux ARM due to missing clipboard module.

OpenClaw Error Index (Master Dictionary)

A searchable dictionary of OpenClaw errors and fixes. Copy your error message and jump to the exact solution.

Why OpenClaw Agents Blow Up API Bills: The Loop Cost Model

Math model to estimate agent token burn, find API vs GPU breakpoint, and choose the correct architecture.

Fix DeepSeek R1 <think> Tag Error in JetBrains / Continue Plugin

Continue plugin shows 'JSON parsing failed' when using DeepSeek R1 in JetBrains IDEs. This is a known thinking tag issue. Here's the fix that works in IntelliJ, PyCharm, and other JetBrains IDEs.

DeepSeek R1 + OpenClaw Deployment Hub

Stop guessing. The deployment hub for running DeepSeek R1 with OpenClaw. Hardware checks, runtime fixes, and cloud bypass.

Process Killed (Code 137) When Running DeepSeek R1 in OpenClaw

Seeing 'Killed (code 137)' when running DeepSeek R1 locally? This usually means Docker or Linux OOM terminated your process. Here's what it means and how to fix it.