Fix: Error — tab not found

Browser automation in OpenClaw works by connecting to specific browser tab targets via CDP. If the tab closes or crashes between steps — even briefly — the target ID becomes invalid and you get Error: tab not found. The fix depends on why the tab disappeared.

The Error

Fix A: Switch to Persistent Profile Mode (Most Reliable)

OpenClaw has two browser modes: relay (connects to Chrome via existing remote debug port) and openclaw (persistent profile with its own managed Chrome instance). Relay mode is more likely to lose tab targets because it doesn't control the browser lifecycle.

Switch to persistent profile mode in your config:

{
  "browser": {
    "profile": "openclaw",
    "headless": false
  }
}

Fix B: Increase Tab Action Timeout

Sometimes the tab is still there but the action fires before the page has finished rendering or before a popup has resolved. Increasing the timeout gives OpenClaw more time to locate the target:

{
  "browser": {
    "profile": "openclaw",
    "actionTimeout": 30000,
    "navigationTimeout": 60000
  }
}

actionTimeout is for individual actions (click, type, snapshot). navigationTimeout is for page loads and redirects. Both default to 15 seconds, which is too short for slow sites.

Fix C: Handle Sites That Open New Tabs

Some sites open links in new tabs. When OpenClaw clicks a link that spawns a new tab, the original tab's target ID is no longer where the content is. The agent must follow the new tab.

If you're writing a skill that clicks outbound links, instruct the agent explicitly:

// In your skill prompt:
"After clicking the link, wait for any new tab to open and switch focus to it.
Do not act on the original tab after navigation."

Fix D: Verify the Browser Control Service Is Running

The browser control service must be active for any browser skill to work. Check its status:

openclaw logs --follow | grep -i 'browser control\\|cdp\\|tab'

You should see: Browser control service ready (profiles=1). If not, restart the gateway:

openclaw gateway restart

Still Happening?