❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: 07/11/2026Word count: 0 wordsReading time: 1 min

Here are the most common problems encountered by beginners!

💰 Cost-Related Questions

Does MaiBot cost money?

Answer: MaiBot itself is free, but AI models require payment.

Details:

• 💡 MaiBot Software - Completely free and open-source
• 💳 AI Models - Paid services, such as DeepSeek, OpenAI, etc.
• 📊 Estimated Cost - A few yuan per month is sufficient for light chat usage

Money-Saving Tips:

• Use cheaper models (DeepSeek is very affordable)
• Set reply frequency limits
• Disable unnecessary features

Which AI model is the best?

Recommendation: Beginners should use DeepSeek; it is affordable and effective!

Comparison:

Model	Price	Performance	Recommendation
DeepSeek	⭐ Very Cheap	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly Recommended
Qwen	⭐⭐ Cheap	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Recommended
GPT-4o-mini	⭐⭐⭐ Moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent	⭐⭐⭐ Worth Trying

Will my QQ number be banned?

Answer: There is a risk, but you can avoid it by using a secondary account.

Suggestions:

• 🔒 Use a Secondary Account - Do not use your main account to reduce risk
• ⚠️ Watch Your Words - Do not post violating content
• 🛡️ Diversify Risk - Rotate multiple secondary accounts

🚀 Usage Issues

What should I do if it won't start?

Common Causes and Solutions:

1️⃣ Incorrect Python Version

# Check version
python --version
# Requires version 3.12 or higher

2️⃣ Missing Configuration File

# Automatically created on first startup
# If missing, manually create the config folder

3️⃣ Port Already in Use

Startup error example:

WebUI server startup failed: Port 8001 is already in use (host=127.0.0.1)

Method 1: Change the Port — Edit config/bot_config.toml:

• WebUI Port: [webui] → port = 8002
• WebSocket Port: [maim_message] → ws_server_port = 8001 (Default is 8000; change to another port if there is a conflict)

Method 2: Terminate the Process:

# Windows
netstat -ano | findstr :8001
taskkill /PID <PID> /F

# Linux/macOS
lsof -i :8001
kill -9 <PID>

The bot is not replying to messages?

Checklist:

1. Check Logs - Are there any error messages?
2. Verify Configuration - Is the API Key entered correctly?
3. Test Connection - Can the network access the model service?
4. Check Permissions - Do you have permission to speak in the QQ group?

Common Errors:

• ❌ Incorrect API Key → 401 Error
• ❌ Network Unreachable → Connection Timeout
• ❌ Muted → Unable to send messages

Configuration file format error?

Beginner Suggestions:

• 🖥️ Use WebUI to Edit Config - Prevents errors
• ✏️ Manual Editing Requires Caution - Ensure all symbols are correct
• 💾 Backup Before Editing - Allows recovery if mistakes occur

Format Key Points:

# Strings must be enclosed in quotes
name = "My Robot"

# Numbers should not have quotes
port = 8001

# Boolean values must be lowercase
enabled = true

🤖 Feature Issues

Can it serve multiple groups simultaneously?

Answer: Of course! One MaiBot instance can serve many groups.

Setup Method:

• Add multiple group IDs in the configuration
• Each group can have a different personality
• Unified management is convenient

Where is data stored? Is it safe?

Answer: All data is stored on your own computer.

Storage Locations:

• 💾 Chat History - Local database
• 🧠 Memory Content - Local files
• ⚙️ Configuration Files - Local disk

Security Reminders:

• 🔒 No Cloud Upload - Data remains local
• 🏠 Privacy Protected - Others cannot see it
• 💿 Regular Backups - Prevent data loss

Does MaiBot support mobile deployment?

Answer: Theoretically possible, but not recommended.

Reasons:

• 📱 Limited Mobile Performance - May cause lag
• 🔋 High Power Consumption - Significant device heating
• 📶 Unstable Network - Prone to disconnection

Suggestions:

• 🖥️ Use a Computer - Desktop or laptop works fine
• ☁️ Use a Cloud Server - Ensures 24/7 uptime
• 🏠 Raspberry Pi - Small devices are also viable

Must I use QQ? Can I use other platforms?

Answer: Currently, QQ is the primary supported platform; others are under development.

Current Status:

• ✅ QQ - Best support, most complete features
• 🚧 WeChat - No usable adapter currently available; community development is welcome
• 📋 Others - Additional platforms can be integrated via adapter plugins

🔧 Technical Issues

What if the reply is too slow?

Optimization Methods:

1. Switch to a Faster Model - DeepSeek responds quickly
2. Reduce Context - Do not provide too much history
3. Check Network - Slow network affects speed
4. Disable Unnecessary Features - Too many plugins slow down performance

NapCat is connected, but group messages are not received?

Priority Check: NapCat Adapter Group List Filtering.

The NapCat adapter enables chat list filtering by default. Group chats operate in whitelist mode by default. If a group ID is not in group_list, group messages will be directly discarded by the adapter.

Resolution Steps:

1. Open plugins/MaiBot-Napcat-Adapter/config.toml
2. If using Docker, open ./data/MaiMBot/plugins/MaiBot-Napcat-Adapter/config.toml
3. Add the target group ID to group_list under [chat]
4. It is recommended to temporarily enable show_dropped_chat_list_messages = true to view filtered messages in the logs
5. Save and restart MaiBot

[chat]
enable_chat_list_filter = true
show_dropped_chat_list_messages = true
group_list_type = "whitelist"
group_list = ["Your QQ Group ID"]

Memory usage is too high?

Memory Saving Tips:

• 📉 Reduce Memory Capacity - Remember less information
• 🗑️ Clean Up Useless Data - Regularly delete junk
• 🔌 Use Fewer Plugins - Plugins consume memory
• 💻 Upgrade Hardware - Adding RAM is the most direct solution

How do I switch AI models?

Simple Steps:

1. Open WebUI → Configuration Management
2. Locate Model Settings
3. Select the new model
4. Changes take effect immediately after saving

💡 Beginner Suggestions

What should I pay attention to on the first use?

1. Test with a Secondary Account First - Avoid risks to your main account
2. Start with Simple Configuration - Do not enable too many features at once
3. Monitor Logs Frequently - Logs will inform you of issues
4. Join the Discussion Group - Ask others if you encounter problems

How to make the bot smarter?

1. Teach It Knowledge - Use the memory management feature
2. Adjust Personality Settings - Make the character more distinct
3. Install Useful Plugins - Add various capabilities
4. Chat with It Frequently - It will learn and become smarter over time

Where can I learn more?

• 📖 Read Documentation - This documentation website
• 💬 Join Groups - Communicate with other users
• 🔍 Search Tutorials - Many experience-sharing posts online
• 🐱 Check GitHub - Latest updates and discussions

🆘 Encountered an Unsolvable Problem?

Ways to Get Help:

1. Check the FAQ First - The answer might already be there
2. Review Logs - Error messages are crucial
3. Search Online - Others may have encountered the same issue
4. Ask in the Group - Ask other users in the community
5. Submit an Issue - Report the problem on GitHub

Information to Provide When Asking:

• 🖥️ System Info - Windows/Linux/Mac?
• 📋 Error Logs - Specific error messages
• ⚙️ Configuration Info - Relevant configuration content
• 🔢 Version Info - MaiBot version number
• 🎯 Reproduction Steps - How to trigger the error