Skip to main content

​
Node troubleshooting

Use this page when a node is visible in status but node tools fail.

​
Command ladder

openclaw status
openclaw gateway status
openclaw logs --follow
openclaw doctor
openclaw channels status --probe
Then run node specific checks: 
openclaw nodes status
openclaw nodes describe --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw approvals get --node <idOrNameOrIp>
Healthy signals:
  • Node is connected and paired for role node.
  • nodes describe includes the capability you are calling.
  • Exec approvals show expected mode/allowlist.

​
Foreground requirements

canvas.*, camera.*, and screen.* are foreground only on iOS/Android nodes. Quick check and fix: 
openclaw nodes describe --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw nodes canvas snapshot --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw logs --follow
If you see NODE_BACKGROUND_UNAVAILABLE, bring the node app to the foreground and retry.

​
Permissions matrix

CapabilityiOSAndroidmacOS node appTypical failure code
camera.snap, camera.clipCamera (+ mic for clip audio)Camera (+ mic for clip audio)Camera (+ mic for clip audio)*_PERMISSION_REQUIRED
screen.recordScreen Recording (+ mic optional)Screen capture prompt (+ mic optional)Screen Recording*_PERMISSION_REQUIRED
location.getWhile Using or Always (depends on mode)Foreground/Background location based on modeLocation permissionLOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUIRED
system.runn/a (node host path)n/a (node host path)Exec approvals requiredSYSTEM_RUN_DENIED

​
Pairing versus approvals

These are different gates:
  1. Device pairing: can this node connect to the gateway?
  2. Exec approvals: can this node run a specific shell command?
Quick checks: 
openclaw devices list
openclaw nodes status
openclaw approvals get --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw approvals allowlist add --node <idOrNameOrIp> "/usr/bin/uname"
If pairing is missing, approve the node device first. If pairing is fine but system.run fails, fix exec approvals/allowlist.

​
Common node error codes

  • NODE_BACKGROUND_UNAVAILABLE → app is backgrounded; bring it foreground.
  • CAMERA_DISABLED → camera toggle disabled in node settings.
  • *_PERMISSION_REQUIRED → OS permission missing/denied.
  • LOCATION_DISABLED → location mode is off.
  • LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUIRED → requested location mode not granted.
  • LOCATION_BACKGROUND_UNAVAILABLE → app is backgrounded but only While Using permission exists.
  • SYSTEM_RUN_DENIED: approval required → exec request needs explicit approval.
  • SYSTEM_RUN_DENIED: allowlist miss → command blocked by allowlist mode.

​
Fast recovery loop

openclaw nodes status
openclaw nodes describe --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw approvals get --node <idOrNameOrIp>
openclaw logs --follow
If still stuck:
  • Re-approve device pairing.
  • Re-open node app (foreground).
  • Re-grant OS permissions.
  • Recreate/adjust exec approval policy.
Related: