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openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: whatsapp grups [1 comments, 2 participants]

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openclaw/openclaw#57985•Fetched 2026-04-08 01:55:16
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Bug Report: WhatsApp linked device does not receive group messages (DMs work)

OpenClaw v2026.3.28, Ubuntu 24.04, Node v22.22.1

SYMPTOM: After linking a WhatsApp Web companion device, the gateway receives DMs but never receives group messages. messages.upsert never fires for group JIDs. Sending TO groups works fine.

REPRODUCTION:

  1. openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp (fresh QR link)
  2. Send a DM → arrives correctly
  3. Send/receive in any group → zero inbound events in logs

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

ROOT CAUSE (suspected): createWaSocket() does not call groupFetchAllParticipating() on connect, and init queries don't establish group Sender Key sessions. Combined with syncFullHistory:false and non-Desktop browser string, newly linked devices never get group message push.

SUGGESTED FIX: Call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open in the WhatsApp provider, or expose config for syncFullHistory/supportGroupHistory.

Root Cause

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

Fix Action

Fix / Workaround

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

RAW_BUFFERClick to expand / collapse

Bug type

Behavior bug (incorrect output/state without crash)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

Bug Report: WhatsApp linked device does not receive group messages (DMs work)

OpenClaw v2026.3.28, Ubuntu 24.04, Node v22.22.1

SYMPTOM: After linking a WhatsApp Web companion device, the gateway receives DMs but never receives group messages. messages.upsert never fires for group JIDs. Sending TO groups works fine.

REPRODUCTION:

  1. openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp (fresh QR link)
  2. Send a DM → arrives correctly
  3. Send/receive in any group → zero inbound events in logs

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

ROOT CAUSE (suspected): createWaSocket() does not call groupFetchAllParticipating() on connect, and init queries don't establish group Sender Key sessions. Combined with syncFullHistory:false and non-Desktop browser string, newly linked devices never get group message push.

SUGGESTED FIX: Call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open in the WhatsApp provider, or expose config for syncFullHistory/supportGroupHistory.

Steps to reproduce

Bug Report: WhatsApp linked device does not receive group messages (DMs work)

OpenClaw v2026.3.28, Ubuntu 24.04, Node v22.22.1

SYMPTOM: After linking a WhatsApp Web companion device, the gateway receives DMs but never receives group messages. messages.upsert never fires for group JIDs. Sending TO groups works fine.

REPRODUCTION:

  1. openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp (fresh QR link)
  2. Send a DM → arrives correctly
  3. Send/receive in any group → zero inbound events in logs

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

ROOT CAUSE (suspected): createWaSocket() does not call groupFetchAllParticipating() on connect, and init queries don't establish group Sender Key sessions. Combined with syncFullHistory:false and non-Desktop browser string, newly linked devices never get group message push.

SUGGESTED FIX: Call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open in the WhatsApp provider, or expose config for syncFullHistory/supportGroupHistory.

Expected behavior

Bug Report: WhatsApp linked device does not receive group messages (DMs work)

OpenClaw v2026.3.28, Ubuntu 24.04, Node v22.22.1

SYMPTOM: After linking a WhatsApp Web companion device, the gateway receives DMs but never receives group messages. messages.upsert never fires for group JIDs. Sending TO groups works fine.

REPRODUCTION:

  1. openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp (fresh QR link)
  2. Send a DM → arrives correctly
  3. Send/receive in any group → zero inbound events in logs

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

ROOT CAUSE (suspected): createWaSocket() does not call groupFetchAllParticipating() on connect, and init queries don't establish group Sender Key sessions. Combined with syncFullHistory:false and non-Desktop browser string, newly linked devices never get group message push.

SUGGESTED FIX: Call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open in the WhatsApp provider, or expose config for syncFullHistory/supportGroupHistory.

Actual behavior

Bug Report: WhatsApp linked device does not receive group messages (DMs work)

OpenClaw v2026.3.28, Ubuntu 24.04, Node v22.22.1

SYMPTOM: After linking a WhatsApp Web companion device, the gateway receives DMs but never receives group messages. messages.upsert never fires for group JIDs. Sending TO groups works fine.

REPRODUCTION:

  1. openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp (fresh QR link)
  2. Send a DM → arrives correctly
  3. Send/receive in any group → zero inbound events in logs

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

ROOT CAUSE (suspected): createWaSocket() does not call groupFetchAllParticipating() on connect, and init queries don't establish group Sender Key sessions. Combined with syncFullHistory:false and non-Desktop browser string, newly linked devices never get group message push.

SUGGESTED FIX: Call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open in the WhatsApp provider, or expose config for syncFullHistory/supportGroupHistory.

OpenClaw version

2026.3.28

Operating system

ubuntu

Install method

npm global

Model

all

Provider / routing chain

openclaw

Additional provider/model setup details

No response

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

Impact and severity

No response

Additional information

No response

extent analysis

Fix Plan

To resolve the issue of WhatsApp linked devices not receiving group messages, we need to modify the WhatsApp provider to call groupFetchAllParticipating() after the connection is open. Here are the steps:

  • Modify the WhatsApp provider to call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after the connection is established.
  • Optionally, expose configuration options for syncFullHistory and supportGroupHistory to allow for more control over group message handling.

Example code snippet:

// WhatsApp provider connection establishment
sock.ev.on('connection.open', () => {
  // Call groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open
  sock.groupFetchAllParticipating();
});

Alternatively, you can also expose configuration options for syncFullHistory and supportGroupHistory:

// WhatsApp provider configuration
const whatsappConfig = {
  // ...
  syncFullHistory: true,
  supportGroupHistory: true,
};

// Use the configuration options to establish the connection
sock = createWaSocket(whatsappConfig);

Verification

To verify that the fix worked, follow these steps:

  1. Relink the WhatsApp device using the updated WhatsApp provider.
  2. Send a group message to a group that the device is a part of.
  3. Check the device's logs to see if the group message is received correctly.
  4. Verify that the messages.upsert event is fired for the group message.

Extra Tips

  • Make sure to test the fix with different group policies (e.g., "allowlist" and "open") to ensure that the issue is resolved in all scenarios.
  • Consider adding logging statements to track the execution of groupFetchAllParticipating() and the receipt of group messages to help with debugging.
  • If issues persist, try injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate to hydrate the groups and see if that resolves the issue.

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FAQ

Expected behavior

Bug Report: WhatsApp linked device does not receive group messages (DMs work)

OpenClaw v2026.3.28, Ubuntu 24.04, Node v22.22.1

SYMPTOM: After linking a WhatsApp Web companion device, the gateway receives DMs but never receives group messages. messages.upsert never fires for group JIDs. Sending TO groups works fine.

REPRODUCTION:

  1. openclaw channels login --channel whatsapp (fresh QR link)
  2. Send a DM → arrives correctly
  3. Send/receive in any group → zero inbound events in logs

INVESTIGATION: • groupPolicy tested as "allowlist" and "open" — no change • Verbose mode shows zero group events at Baileys level • Standalone script with createWaSocket() + groupFetchAllParticipating() DOES receive group messages from active groups • Patching syncFullHistory:true has no effect because browser=["openclaw","cli",VERSION] doesn't trigger desktop sync path, and supportGroupHistory:false • Injecting groupFetchAllParticipating() after sendPresenceUpdate hydrates 114 groups but still no inbound • Relinking, leaving/rejoining group, waiting hours — nothing fixes it • Session that WAS receiving groups before had been running continuously for days

ROOT CAUSE (suspected): createWaSocket() does not call groupFetchAllParticipating() on connect, and init queries don't establish group Sender Key sessions. Combined with syncFullHistory:false and non-Desktop browser string, newly linked devices never get group message push.

SUGGESTED FIX: Call sock.groupFetchAllParticipating() after connection open in the WhatsApp provider, or expose config for syncFullHistory/supportGroupHistory.

#pipeline error#runtime error#dependency conflict#environment setup#docker error

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