> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wednesdayai.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Troubleshooting

> Fix common issues: the bot not responding, group silence, slow replies, and context problems.

# Troubleshooting

## The bot is not responding

1. **Check you are allowed.** Your admin needs to add you (your number, username, or ID) to the allowlist, or approve your pairing, before the gateway responds. On a pairing channel you may have received a one-time code - see [Pair your first channel](/users/pairing/first-channel).

2. **Try `/status`.** If the bot replies, it is working and the problem is elsewhere (model, allowlist for that command, or the specific channel). If `/status` also does nothing, it is likely connectivity or that you are not yet authorised.

3. **Ask your admin to check the gateway.** If you self-host, you can check it yourself:
   ```bash theme={"dark"}
   openclaw gateway status
   ```

## The bot does not respond in a group

In a group chat the bot only wakes up when it is **mentioned or pinged**, or when you **reply to one of its messages**. It deliberately ignores everything else so it does not spam the group.

* Mention it by name or `@handle`: `@YourBot what's the weather today?`
* Or reply directly to a message it sent.

If it still ignores mentions, the group may not be allowed yet, or mention detection may need configuring - ask your admin.

## The bot is slow to respond

* **Tool use takes time.** Running code, searching the web, or controlling a browser can take 10-30 seconds.
* **Thinking mode is slower by design.** `/think high` reasons before responding; `/think off` (or a lower level) usually speeds things up.

## The bot seems to have forgotten something

There are two different cases:

* **Lost track within a conversation** - the context window filled up and earlier messages dropped out. Use `/compact` to summarise and continue, or `/reset` to start fresh.
* **Forgot a fact from days ago** - that was never saved to durable memory. Ask the bot to remember it explicitly next time: "Remember that ...". See [Memory](/users/memory).

```
/compact
```

## I got an error response

| Message                    | Likely cause                                                                         |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| "No credentials found"     | The AI provider key is missing or expired - tell your admin                          |
| "Rate limit exceeded"      | Too many requests to the AI provider - wait a minute and retry                       |
| "Model ... is not allowed" | The model you picked is not on the allowed list - run `/model` to see allowed models |
| "Tool execution denied"    | You do not have permission to run that tool                                          |
| "Gateway unreachable"      | The gateway is down - tell your admin                                                |

## Commands are not working

* Commands only work if you are authorised. Ask your admin if `/status` and others have no effect.
* Send commands as **standalone messages** (just `/status`). Only the inline shortcuts (`/help`, `/status`, `/whoami`, `/commands`) work embedded in a longer message; most others do not.

## I am not receiving voice messages

Voice (TTS) must be enabled by your admin. If it is available, turn it on:

```
/tts always
```

On Discord, use `/voice` instead.

## The agent is doing something unexpected

1. Send `/stop` to interrupt the current response.
2. Send `/reset` to start a fresh session.
3. If it took an action you did not want (ran a command, wrote a file), tell your admin - they can review the session transcript.

## I want to change the AI model

```
/model
```

`/model` on its own shows a picker of the models you are allowed to use. To switch directly, name one:

```
/model opus
```

(use an alias your admin set, or a full id like `anthropic/claude-opus-4-6`). `/status` shows the current model.

## Still stuck?

Send `/status` to your admin so they can see what you see. If you self-host or have access to the control panel, the Logs view shows recent activity.