Step-by-Step Fix
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Confirm the scope
- Try a different browser/device and a different network.
- If only one environment fails, the cause is usually local.
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Refresh your session
- Sign out completely, then sign back in.
- Clear cache/cookies for the service domain.
- Try an incognito/private window with no extensions.
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Check permissions and plan status
- Verify you’re using the correct account/workspace.
- Confirm your subscription/plan is active and assigned correctly.
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Rule out network filtering
- Disable VPN/proxy temporarily.
- Pause ad blockers / privacy tools that may block requests.
- If you’re on a corporate network, test via hotspot.
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Check service incidents
- Review the product status page or recent incident reports.
- If the service is degraded, wait and retry.
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Collect evidence and escalate
- Save screenshots + exact error text + timestamps.
- Include environment details and repro steps in a support ticket.
Common Root Causes
- Expired/invalid session tokens
- Plan or permission mismatch
- Browser extensions interfering with requests
- Network blocks (VPN/proxy/firewall/DNS)
- Temporary outages
Prevention Tips
- Keep a clean browser profile for critical workflows
- Don’t stack multiple privacy extensions that rewrite requests
- Document workspace/team permissions and billing owners
- Export important settings regularly (when supported)
Why This Happens
OpenClaw uses session tokens stored in browser cookies to maintain your authenticated state. These tokens have a fixed expiration — typically 7–30 days — after which the server rejects them and forces re-authentication. Sessions also expire immediately if you change your password, if OpenClaw detects a login from an unusual location, or if a security rotation is performed on the backend. Browser extensions that clear cookies on exit, strict privacy settings that block third-party cookies, or a VPN that changes your apparent IP address mid-session can all cause premature session expiration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Reloading the same page repeatedly when a session error appears: The expired session token is cached in the page — a reload does not clear it. You must sign out completely, clear cookies for the openclaw.com domain, and sign in again with fresh credentials.
- Using a password manager that auto-fills stale credentials: If you recently changed your OpenClaw password, some password managers continue auto-filling the old password, causing repeated failed login attempts. Update the stored credential in your password manager first.
- Assuming the error is always on OpenClaw’s side: Test with an incognito window first. If login succeeds in incognito, the problem is your browser’s cookie storage or an extension — not the OpenClaw platform.
- Sharing a login session across multiple team members: OpenClaw accounts are designed for individual use. Multiple people signing in with the same credentials simultaneously can cause one session to invalidate another, creating apparent "random" session expiry for some users.
Additional FAQ
Q: How long do OpenClaw sessions stay active before requiring re-login?
Standard OpenClaw sessions remain active for 7 to 30 days of inactivity, depending on your plan and the authentication method used. Sessions authenticated via OAuth (Google, GitHub) may stay active longer as they inherit the OAuth provider’s session duration. If you check the "Remember me" option at login, the session is extended to the maximum duration. After the expiration window, you must sign in again — your account data and configurations are not affected by session expiry.
Q: Why am I getting "session expired" errors right after logging in?
If the session expires immediately after login, the most likely cause is a clock skew issue. OpenClaw session tokens include a creation timestamp validated server-side. If your computer’s system clock is more than 5 minutes ahead or behind real time, the token appears expired to the server as soon as it is issued. Check your system time settings and enable automatic time sync. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time and toggle "Set time automatically" on.
Q: Does signing in on a new device invalidate my existing sessions elsewhere?
OpenClaw typically allows concurrent sessions on multiple devices — signing in on a new device does not immediately sign out your other sessions. However, if you explicitly sign out from all devices (an option in Settings > Security on most plans), all active sessions are terminated simultaneously. If you notice unexpected sign-outs across devices without having chosen "sign out everywhere," contact OpenClaw support to check whether an unauthorized access event triggered a forced session revocation.
Q: I use SSO through my company. Why does my OpenClaw session expire faster than my regular SSO sessions?
SSO session duration in OpenClaw is governed by the shorter of two durations: OpenClaw’s own session timeout and your identity provider’s (IdP) session timeout. If your IT department configured a short IdP session (e.g., 4 hours), your OpenClaw session inherits that limit even if OpenClaw’s own timeout is 30 days. Contact your IT administrator to check the SSO session duration configured for OpenClaw in your IdP (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace, etc.).
Q: My login works but I’m redirected to the wrong workspace — how do I fix this?
OpenClaw remembers the last-visited workspace. If you are a member of multiple workspaces, you may be redirected to a workspace you do not need. After signing in, look for a workspace selector in the top-left of the dashboard. Click it to switch to the correct workspace. If the workspace selector does not appear, confirm that your account has been added to the correct workspace by its owner — workspace membership must be explicitly granted, even if you already have an OpenClaw account.
Related Issues
- OpenClaw permission denied no access to tools
- OpenClaw 401 invalid API key errors cron jobs
- OpenClaw subscription not activating after payment
- OpenClaw agent not starting
Additional FAQ
Q: What is the fastest way to diagnose a login problem? The fastest diagnostic is to open an incognito or private browser window and attempt to sign in there. Incognito windows run without extensions and use fresh cookies, which isolates the two most common causes: a browser extension interfering with authentication, or corrupted session cookies. If login works in incognito, the issue is your main browser profile. If it still fails, the problem is your network, your account, or a platform-side incident.
Q: Why does clearing browser cache fix login issues? Your browser caches session tokens and authentication cookies that prove you are logged in. If these become corrupted or expire mid-session, the browser may present an invalid token on each page load, causing the server to reject the session and redirect you to login. Clearing site-specific data forces the browser to request fresh tokens on the next login, which resolves most session-related loops without affecting your other browser data.
Q: Should I try a different browser if login keeps failing? Yes — testing in a second browser is one of the most useful steps. Different browsers use different cookie stores, extension ecosystems, and caching mechanisms. If login works in Browser B but fails in Browser A, the issue is specific to Browser A's state (likely extensions or corrupted profile data), not your account. You can continue working in Browser B while you troubleshoot the original browser.
Related Articles
- OpenClaw login / API key fix
- OpenClaw rate limits affecting runs
- OpenClaw agent not starting
- OpenClaw tool calls failing
Additional FAQ
Q: What is the fastest way to diagnose a login problem? The fastest diagnostic is to open an incognito or private browser window and attempt to sign in there. Incognito windows run without extensions and use fresh cookies, which isolates the two most common causes: a browser extension interfering with authentication, or corrupted session cookies. If login works in incognito, the issue is your main browser profile. If it still fails, the problem is your network, your account, or a platform-side incident.
Related Articles
- OpenClaw login / API key fix
- OpenClaw rate limits affecting runs
- OpenClaw agent not starting
- OpenClaw tool calls failing
Additional FAQ
Q: What is the fastest way to diagnose a login problem? The fastest diagnostic is to open an incognito or private browser window and attempt to sign in there. Incognito windows run without extensions and use fresh cookies, which isolates the two most common causes: a browser extension interfering with authentication, or corrupted session cookies. If login works in incognito, the issue is your main browser profile. If it still fails, the problem is your network, your account, or a platform-side incident.