diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index ed1d616a94a..b9abd541143 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai
 ### Fixes
 
 - Docs/tool-loop detection config keys: align `docs/tools/loop-detection.md` examples and field names with the current `tools.loopDetection` schema to prevent copy-paste validation failures from outdated keys. (#33182) Thanks @Mylszd.
+- Discord/presence defaults: send an online presence update on ready when no custom presence is configured so bots no longer appear offline by default. Thanks @thewilloftheshadow.
 - Telegram/DM draft finalization reliability: require verified final-text draft emission before treating preview finalization as delivered, and fall back to normal payload send when final draft delivery is not confirmed (preventing missing final responses and preserving media/button delivery). (#32118) Thanks @OpenCils.
 - Discord/audit wildcard warnings: ignore "\*" wildcard keys when counting unresolved guild channels so doctor/status no longer warns on allow-all configs. (#33125) Thanks @thewilloftheshadow.
 - Discord/channel resolution: default bare numeric recipients to channels, harden allowlist numeric ID handling with safe fallbacks, and avoid inbound WS heartbeat stalls. (#33142) Thanks @thewilloftheshadow.
diff --git a/src/discord/monitor/presence.test.ts b/src/discord/monitor/presence.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1ea06f9dc28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/discord/monitor/presence.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate } from "./presence.js";
+
+describe("resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate", () => {
+  it("returns online presence when no config is provided", () => {
+    const result = resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate({});
+    expect(result).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(result!.status).toBe("online");
+    expect(result!.activities).toEqual([]);
+  });
+
+  it("uses configured status", () => {
+    const result = resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate({ status: "dnd" });
+    expect(result!.status).toBe("dnd");
+  });
+
+  it("includes activity when configured", () => {
+    const result = resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate({ activity: "Helping humans" });
+    expect(result!.status).toBe("online");
+    expect(result!.activities).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(result!.activities[0].state).toBe("Helping humans");
+  });
+
+  it("uses custom activity type by default", () => {
+    const result = resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate({ activity: "test" });
+    expect(result!.activities[0].type).toBe(4);
+    expect(result!.activities[0].name).toBe("Custom Status");
+  });
+
+  it("respects explicit activityType", () => {
+    const result = resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate({ activity: "test", activityType: 3 });
+    expect(result!.activities[0].type).toBe(3);
+    expect(result!.activities[0].name).toBe("test");
+  });
+
+  it("sets streaming URL for type 1", () => {
+    const result = resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate({
+      activity: "Live",
+      activityType: 1,
+      activityUrl: "https://twitch.tv/test",
+    });
+    expect(result!.activities[0].url).toBe("https://twitch.tv/test");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/discord/monitor/presence.ts b/src/discord/monitor/presence.ts
index 85da7c0d5bc..ed52ea7b014 100644
--- a/src/discord/monitor/presence.ts
+++ b/src/discord/monitor/presence.ts
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ export function resolveDiscordPresenceUpdate(
   const hasStatus = Boolean(status);
 
   if (!hasActivity && !hasStatus) {
-    return null;
+    return { since: null, activities: [], status: "online", afk: false };
   }
 
   const activities: Activity[] = [];