# Ollama + OpenClaw Config **URL:** \ **Category:** Support and Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [September 8, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/ollama-openclaw-config/25466 "2026-09-08T21:08:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Comanche724](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/77aa72/32.png) [@Comanche724](https://community.umbrel.com/u/Comanche724)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/ollama-openclaw-config/25466/1 "2026-09-08T21:08:02Z")
Hi Smart People, I’ve been trying to setup a local version of Ollama on OpenClaw (both apps via UmbrelOS). When setting up OpenClaw I keep getting authentication errors when connecting to my locally downloaded version of Gemma4. Since its local, I wouldn’t think an API key is needed. Here are the settings I’m using: Local Only Model \> Base URL: http://ollama\_ollama\_1:11434 This is a valid base URL but I get request for API key which I think is invalid. If anyone has figured out how to get past this \> run a free model in OpenClaw that would be amazing. Thanks in advance to the Nerd Army ---
**Author:** ![aidencole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce73a5/32.png) [@aidencole](https://community.umbrel.com/u/aidencole)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.umbrel.com/t/ollama-openclaw-config/25466/2 "2026-09-13T15:42:35Z")
hey, you’re right, local Ollama doesn’t need a real API key. Try entering ollama-local in that field instead of leaving it blank. It’s just a placeholder to keep OpenClaw happy, not a key you need to sign up or pay for. Keep Ollama → Local only selected and your base URL as http://ollama\_ollama\_1:11434, without adding /v1. The [OpenClaw docs](https://docs.openclaw.ai/providers/ollama/setup#auth-rules) mention this local auth setup. If it still complains, could you share the exact error? That should help narrow down whether it’s the key prompt or something else failing.