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openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: browser.request unknown method — browser plugin loads but method never registers [2 comments, 3 participants]

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openclaw/openclaw#57994•Fetched 2026-04-08 01:55:09
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browser plugin shows as loaded in plugins list but openclaw browser status returns GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request on every command. Browser never starts. macOS M4 Mac Mini, NVM install, version 2026.3.28.

Error Message

$ openclaw browser --browser-profile openclaw status GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request

$ openclaw plugins list Browser | browser | openclaw | loaded | stock:browser/index.js | 2026.3.28

Root Cause

browser plugin shows as loaded in plugins list but openclaw browser status returns GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request on every command. Browser never starts. macOS M4 Mac Mini, NVM install, version 2026.3.28.

Code Example

$ openclaw browser --browser-profile openclaw status
GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request

$ openclaw plugins list
Browser | browser | openclaw | loaded | stock:browser/index.js | 2026.3.28
RAW_BUFFERClick to expand / collapse

Bug type

Behavior bug (incorrect output/state without crash)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

browser plugin shows as loaded in plugins list but openclaw browser status returns GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request on every command. Browser never starts. macOS M4 Mac Mini, NVM install, version 2026.3.28.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Install OpenClaw 2026.3.28 via NVM on macOS M4
  2. Set browser.enabled true, defaultProfile "openclaw", executablePath to Brave Browser, driver "openclaw", cdpPort 9222
  3. Run: openclaw browser --browser-profile openclaw status
  4. Observe: GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request

Expected behavior

openclaw browser status should return browser status. browser plugin shows as loaded in openclaw plugins list.

Actual behavior

Every browser command returns: GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request. Browser never starts. Gateway is healthy. Plugin list confirms browser plugin status is "loaded".

OpenClaw version

2026.3.28

Operating system

macOS, M4 Mac Mini

Install method

npm global via NVM (node v22.22.2)

Model

openai-codex/gpt-5.4

Provider / routing chain

openclaw -> openai-codex

Additional provider/model setup details

Note: Initial install was done via Homebrew rather than the official installer. Two subsequent reinstalls via NVM were performed but a residual openclaw installation was found at /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw and manually removed with rm -rf. Problem persists after removal and multiple gateway restarts.

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

$ openclaw browser --browser-profile openclaw status
GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request

$ openclaw plugins list
Browser | browser | openclaw | loaded | stock:browser/index.js | 2026.3.28

Impact and severity

Affected: Single user, macOS M4 Mac Mini Severity: High — blocks all browser automation entirely Frequency: Always, 100% of attempts Consequence: Agent cannot browse any websites or access web-based accounts

Additional information

Initial install was done via Homebrew instead of the official installer. Two NVM reinstalls were performed. A residual openclaw installation was found at /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/openclaw and removed with rm -rf. Problem persists after removal and multiple gateway restarts. Browser plugin consistently shows as loaded but browser.request never registers as a valid method.

extent analysis

Fix Plan

To resolve the GatewayClientRequestError: unknown method: browser.request issue, follow these steps:

  • Reinstall OpenClaw using the official installer to ensure a clean installation without any residual files from previous installations.
  • Update the browser plugin configuration to match the latest version of OpenClaw.
  • Verify the executablePath to ensure it points to the correct Brave Browser executable.

Example code snippet to update the browser plugin configuration:

// Update the browser plugin configuration
const browserConfig = {
  enabled: true,
  defaultProfile: 'openclaw',
  executablePath: '/path/to/brave/browser/executable',
  driver: 'openclaw',
  cdpPort: 9222
};

// Save the updated configuration
fs.writeFileSync('openclaw/config/browser.json', JSON.stringify(browserConfig, null, 2));

Verification

After applying the fix, run the following command to verify that the browser.request method is recognized:

openclaw browser --browser-profile openclaw status

If the issue is resolved, the command should return the browser status without any errors.

Extra Tips

  • Ensure that the Brave Browser executable is installed and accessible at the specified executablePath.
  • If issues persist, try resetting the OpenClaw configuration to its default state and reapplying the necessary changes.
  • Consider using a version control system to track changes to the OpenClaw configuration and plugins.

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FAQ

Expected behavior

openclaw browser status should return browser status. browser plugin shows as loaded in openclaw plugins list.

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openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: browser.request unknown method — browser plugin loads but method never registers [2 comments, 3 participants]