Summary
WhatsApp channel crashes on startup with "Cannot find module" error. The reply-4ZmPSA9o.js file references web-DZaTo4-o.js which doesn't exist in the dist folder.
Steps to reproduce
Environment
- OpenClaw version: 2026.2.14
- OS: Linux 6.8.0-100-generic (Ubuntu, x64)
- Node: v25.6.1
- Install method: npm global (
npm i -g openclaw@latest)
- Install path:
/home/viernes/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/openclaw/
Steps to Reproduce
- Fresh install or upgrade to 2026.2.14
- Configure WhatsApp channel in openclaw.json
- Link WhatsApp via
openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp
- Start gateway
Expected behavior
WhatsApp channel connects and accepts messages.
Actual behavior
Channel immediately exits with error:
2026-02-15T17:07:14.758Z info gateway/channels/whatsapp [default] starting provider (+15093108392)
2026-02-15T17:07:14.759Z error gateway/channels/whatsapp [default] channel exited: Cannot find module '/home/viernes/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/web-DZaTo4-o.js' imported from /home/viernes/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/reply-4ZmPSA9o.js
OpenClaw version
2026.2.14
Operating system
Ubunutu 24.04
Install method
No response
Logs, screenshots, and evidence
## Investigation
The dist folder contains several `web-*.js` files but not the one being imported:
$ ls ~/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/ | grep -i web
channel-web-DaEV55-E.js
web-1RpVNICq.js
web-BTi_s2XR.js
web-C1Kt-07i.js
web-CGffMyNr.js
webhooks-cli-Drfzo4hm.js
webhooks-cli-IRQtzl6r.js
Missing: `web-DZaTo4-o.js`
This appears to be a build/bundling issue where the hash in `reply-4ZmPSA9o.js` doesn't match any existing file.
## Workaround
Downgrade to 2026.2.13:
npm install -g openclaw@2026.2.13
**Confirmed working:** 2026.2.13 contains the missing file and WhatsApp connects successfully.
# 2026.2.13 dist folder contains:
$ ls ~/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/openclaw/dist/ | grep -E "^(web-|reply-)"
reply-4ZmPSA9o.js
reply-DRsqbakU.js
web-3OFbEnm0.js
web-Bd61wPCp.js
web-CYQCydyO.js
web-DZaTo4-o.js # ← This file EXISTS in 2026.2.13
# 2026.2.14 dist folder is missing it:
web-1RpVNICq.js
web-BTi_s2XR.js
web-C1Kt-07i.js
web-CGffMyNr.js
# web-DZaTo4-o.js ← MISSING in 2026.2.14
The `reply-4ZmPSA9o.js` file exists in both versions but references `web-DZaTo4-o.js` which was not included in the 2026.2.14 build.
## Additional Context
- Reinstalling 2026.2.14 does not fix the issue
- WhatsApp credentials are valid (linked successfully, creds.json present)
- Other channels (webchat) work fine
- The `openclaw channels status` shows: `error:Cannot find module...`
Impact and severity
Affected: Whatsapp channel on 2026.2.14
Impact: Minor if you have other channels configured
Additional information
- Possibly related to build/rollup config changes in 2026.2.14
Summary
WhatsApp channel crashes on startup with "Cannot find module" error. The
reply-4ZmPSA9o.jsfile referencesweb-DZaTo4-o.jswhich doesn't exist in the dist folder.Steps to reproduce
Environment
npm i -g openclaw@latest)/home/viernes/.npm-global/lib/node_modules/openclaw/Steps to Reproduce
openclaw channels login --channel whatsappExpected behavior
WhatsApp channel connects and accepts messages.
Actual behavior
Channel immediately exits with error:
OpenClaw version
2026.2.14
Operating system
Ubunutu 24.04
Install method
No response
Logs, screenshots, and evidence
Impact and severity
Affected: Whatsapp channel on 2026.2.14
Impact: Minor if you have other channels configured
Additional information