Why am I getting '401 missing authentication headers'?

This error often stems from a restrictive `tools.profile` setting in OpenClaw, which prevents the agent from accessing necessary tools for authentication or command execution. Switching to a profile like `coding` resolves this.

How do I check my current OpenClaw tools profile?

You can check your current tools profile by running the command: `openclaw config get tools.profile`.

What's the difference between 'coding' and 'coding-extended' profiles?

The 'coding' profile provides standard filesystem and execution tools. The 'coding-extended' profile includes a broader set of tools, which might be necessary for more complex development or debugging tasks.

How to Fix 401 Missing Authentication Headers in OpenClaw

TL;DR — Quick Fix

Switch to the 'coding' tools profile and restart the gateway: `openclaw config set tools.profile coding && openclaw gateway restart`.

Run Diagnostics

Next Step

Fix now, then reduce repeat incidents

If this issue keeps coming back, validate your setup in Doctor first, then harden your config.

Open Doctor Harden Config

Error Signal

401 missing authentication headers

What's Happening

You're seeing "401 missing authentication headers" and general breakage after a fresh OpenClaw install (specifically reported after upgrading to 2026.3.2). Executable tools are broken or locked, you can't commit to git, read/write files, or interact with the agent effectively. It seems the agent is trying to compress context unprompted and hangs on responses.

The Fix

This is a configuration issue with the tools profile. The default profile in recent versions might be too restrictive.

Here’s how to fix it:

Switch to a more permissive tools profile: Run this command to switch to the coding profile, which includes filesystem and execution capabilities:
```
openclaw config set tools.profile coding
```
Restart the OpenClaw gateway for the changes to take effect:
```
openclaw gateway restart
```

If you still encounter issues, try the coding-extended profile:

openclaw config set tools.profile coding-extended
openclaw gateway restart

As a last resort, downgrading to a previous version also works:

openclaw uninstall
npm install -g [email protected]

Why This Occurs

Recent OpenClaw versions can default to a restrictive tools profile (like messaging) after a fresh install or VM reinstallation. This profile blocks critical agent functions such as executing shell commands (exec) or accessing the filesystem, leading to the "401 missing authentication headers" errors and overall unresponsiveness.

Prevention

Always verify your tools.profile setting after a new installation or significant upgrade. Ensure it includes the necessary capabilities for your workflow (e.g., coding or coding-extended for development tasks). You can check your current setting with openclaw config get tools.profile.

Last Updated: March 2026

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