📚 Error Index — Search exact error message and go to fix
Already seeing an error? Find its fix here fast.
This index covers the most common OpenClaw errors, including ENOENT, EACCES, CUDA out of memory, JSON parsing failures, hardware compatibility issues, and security vulnerabilities. Copy the exact error message you see and jump directly to the verified fix.
🧭 Quick Navigation
- 🧨 Group 1: Installation & CLI
- 🧩 Group 2: Plugin & Ecosystem
- 🐳 Group 3: Docker / Permissions
- 🧠 Group 4: Performance / OOM / Hardware
- 🔒 Group 5: Security
🧨 Group 1: Installation & CLI (The "Newbie Hell")
Platform: Windows / macOS / Linux
Most common: spawn npm ENOENT · install.ps1 ENOENT · spawn EINVAL
| Error String (Exact Match) | Quick Fix | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|
npm error code ENOENT (install.ps1) | Refresh PATH (new terminal) or reinstall Node LTS | Fix install.ps1 ENOENT (Windows) |
Failed to start CLI: Error: spawn npm ENOENT(also appears on Windows as spawn npm ENOENT) | Verify Node/NPM is installed and in PATH | Fix spawn npm ENOENT (All) |
Failed to start CLI: Error: spawn EINVAL | Run PowerShell as Administrator | Fix spawn EINVAL (Windows) |
🧩 Group 2: Plugins & Ecosystem
Platform: Cross-platform
| Error String | Quick Fix | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|
| package.json missing openclaw.extensions | Reinstall plugin via official OpenClaw plugin command | Fix plugin metadata |
| Cannot find module @mariozechner/clipboard-linux-arm-gnueabihf | Upgrade OpenClaw / use compatible build for ARM | Fix ARM clipboard module |
🐳 Group 3: Docker & Permissions
Platform: Docker / Linux
Most common: EACCES permission denied · Docker volume permission issues
| Error String | Quick Fix | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|
| EACCES: permission denied (openclaw.json) | Fix UID/GID mismatch (chown the mounted folder) | Fix Docker EACCES |
🧠 Group 4: Performance / OOM / Hardware
Platform: GPU / VRAM / Bandwidth
Most common: CUDA out of memory · VRAM not enough · slow inference
| Issue | Quick Fix | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|
| CUDA Out of Memory | Reduce context / switch to bigger VRAM | Fix CUDA OOM |
torch.cuda.OutOfMemoryError | GPU lacks VRAM for model size | Fix Torch CUDA OOM |
| Slow inference (seconds/token) | Bandwidth/VRAM bottleneck; cloud GPU is the practical escape | Fix slow inference |
| Hardware requirements / VRAM calculator | Check VRAM + model size before debugging | Hardware reality check |
| JSON Mode parsing errors | Remove thinking tags / tighten system prompt | Fix JSON mode |
🔒 Group 5: Security
Platform: All
Most common: RCE · CVE · remote code execution
| Topic | Impact | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|
| CVE-2026-25253 (RCE) | CRITICAL | Security advisory |
🔍 Not finding your error?
Option 1 — Possible product bug If the error includes stack traces, function names, or internal variables: 👉 Search official GitHub Issues
Option 2 — Likely environment issue
If you see ENOENT, EACCES, Permission denied, CUDA, or OOM, this is usually caused by OS, drivers, or local hardware limits.
If you can reliably reproduce the issue, copy the exact error message and OS details, then create a new fix guide.