Telegram Bot Not Starting / Invalid Token
Error: 401: Unauthorized (Telegram) / ETELEGRAM: Invalid bot token / Bot token rejected
OpenClaw troubleshooting · Updated 2026
Error Message
Error: 401: Unauthorized (Telegram) / ETELEGRAM: Invalid bot token / Bot token rejected
What Causes This
The Telegram bot token is invalid, expired, or belongs to a deleted bot. This happens when you regenerate the token in @BotFather without updating OpenClaw's config.
How to Fix It
Verify and update your bot token:
# Check the current token in config
openclaw config get channels.telegram.botToken
# If the token changed, update it:
openclaw config set channels.telegram.botToken "NEW_TOKEN_HERE"
openclaw gateway restart
# Get a new token from @BotFather on Telegram:
# /mybots → select your bot → API Token → Revoke & generate new
# Test the token directly:
curl https://api.telegram.org/bot<YOUR_TOKEN>/getMe
# Should return: {"ok":true, "result": {...}}
If you see the bot online in Telegram but it doesn't respond, the issue is likely DM policy, not the token. Check openclaw pairing list telegram.