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WhatsApp QR Code Expired or Connection Dropped

WhatsApp: QR code expired / Connection closed / Session logged out

OpenClaw troubleshooting · Updated 2026

Error Message

WhatsApp: QR code expired / Connection closed / Session logged out

What Causes This

WhatsApp's QR-based authentication is fragile. The QR code expires after ~60 seconds, and the session can disconnect after phone reboots, Wi-Fi changes, or WhatsApp app updates. This is the most common WhatsApp issue.

How to Fix It

Re-scan the QR code:

# Re-trigger QR code display
openclaw channels login

# Scan the QR with your phone:
# WhatsApp → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device

# Verify connection
openclaw channels status --probe

WhatsApp connections break frequently. For a more stable experience, consider using Telegram as your primary channel — it survives reboots and doesn't require QR re-scanning. If you must use WhatsApp, keep the phone on the same Wi-Fi network as OpenClaw and avoid clearing the WhatsApp cache.

See Also