How to Fix OpenClaw WhatsApp Connection Issues

# Stop OpenClaw WhatsApp service:
systemctl stop openclaw-whatsapp
# Or if running manually:
pkill -f whatsapp

# Clear old session data:
rm -rf ~/.openclaw/whatsapp-session/

# Start WhatsApp integration:
systemctl start openclaw-whatsapp
# Or:
node ~/.openclaw/integrations/whatsapp/index.js

# QR code should appear in logs:
tail -f ~/.openclaw/logs/whatsapp.log
# Scan with your phone within 60 seconds

# Check configured webhook URL:
grep WHATSAPP_WEBHOOK ~/.openclaw/.env
# Should be:
# WHATSAPP_WEBHOOK=https://your-domain.com/api/whatsapp
# NOT:
# WHATSAPP_WEBHOOK=http://localhost:3000/api/whatsapp

# Test webhook accessibility from external server:
curl -X POST https://your-domain.com/api/whatsapp/webhook \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"test": true}'

# Should return 200, not connection refused or timeout

# Check firewall:
sudo ufw status
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp  # If HTTPS webhook

# Check session files exist:
ls -la ~/.openclaw/whatsapp-session/
# Should contain:
# - session.json
# - creds.json

# Check session health via API:
curl http://localhost:3000/api/whatsapp/status
# Response should show:
# {"status": "connected", "phone": "+1234567890"}

# If disconnected, check logs:
grep -i "disconnected\|logout\|session" ~/.openclaw/logs/whatsapp.log | tail -20

# Check .env for WhatsApp config:
cat ~/.openclaw/.env | grep WHATSAPP

# Required variables:
# WHATSAPP_API_KEY=your_api_key
# WHATSAPP_PHONE_NUMBER=+1234567890
# WHATSAPP_WEBHOOK=https://your-domain.com/api/whatsapp

# Test API key validity:
curl https://api.whatsapp.com/v1/health \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $WHATSAPP_API_KEY"
# Should return 200, not 401

# WhatsApp uses websockets on various ports
# Check if outbound websocket connections work:
curl -v wss://web.whatsapp.com/ws

# Check iptables:
sudo iptables -L OUTPUT -n -v | grep DROP

# If using corporate firewall, whitelist:
# - *.whatsapp.net
# - *.whatsapp.com
# - web.whatsapp.com

# Test connectivity to WhatsApp servers:
ping web.whatsapp.com
nslookup web.whatsapp.com

# Stop WhatsApp integration:
systemctl stop openclaw-whatsapp

# Wait 10 seconds for graceful shutdown
sleep 10

# Kill any lingering processes:
pkill -9 -f whatsapp

# Start fresh:
systemctl start openclaw-whatsapp

# Monitor startup:
journalctl -u openclaw-whatsapp -f --no-pager

# Verify connection:
curl http://localhost:3000/api/whatsapp/status