openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: openclaw stuck at loading after switching to Ollama/gemma4:26b (stuck at `Wake up my friend`) [6 comments, 5 participants]

TL;DR

The issue with OpenClaw getting stuck at the "wake up, my friend" prompt may be related to the interaction between OpenClaw and the local Ollama model, and a potential workaround is to investigate the configuration or the model's responsiveness.

Guidance

• Verify that the Ollama model (Gemma4:26b) is correctly configured and responsive by running the ollama run command in a separate terminal, as the user has already done, to see if the issue persists.
• Check the OpenClaw version (2026.04.02) for any known issues or updates that may address the problem.
• Investigate the difference in behavior between running OpenClaw and running the ollama run command directly, to identify potential causes for the discrepancy.
• Consider testing with a different model or configuration to isolate the issue.

Notes

The lack of logs, screenshots, and additional information makes it challenging to provide a more specific solution. The fact that the ollama run command responds quickly suggests that the issue may be related to the OpenClaw configuration or its interaction with the local Ollama model.

Recommendation

Apply a workaround by investigating the OpenClaw configuration and the local Ollama model's responsiveness, as the root cause of the issue is unclear and may require further troubleshooting.