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[Bug]: WhatsApp channel fails to start in 2026.2.14 - missing module #17359

@sbmilburn

Description

@sbmilburn

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

  1. Fresh install or upgrade to 2026.2.14
  2. Configure WhatsApp channel in openclaw.json
  3. Link WhatsApp via openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp
  4. 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

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