diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner.svelte
index 0f78acd2..976c0f1e 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner.svelte
@@ -121,9 +121,14 @@
                     // Qualify mode: navigate directly to lead detail to fill in notes/qualifiers
                     goto(`/events/${page.params.event_id}/leads/exhibit/${exhibit_id}/lead/${new_tracking_id}`);
                 } else {
-                    // Rapid mode: auto-reset after 2 seconds to scan the next person
+                    // Rapid/auto mode: auto-reset after 2 seconds to scan the next person
                     setTimeout(reset_scanner, 2000);
                 }
+            } else {
+                // API returned false/null — network error, API down, auth failure, or duplicate.
+                // Surface the error rather than leaving the scanner frozen at 'adding'.
+                scanning_status = 'error';
+                error_msg = 'Failed to add lead. Check your connection and try again.';
             }
         } catch (e) {
             scanning_status = 'error';
diff --git a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner_multi.svelte b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner_multi.svelte
index d8be603c..5c73a213 100644
--- a/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner_multi.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/events/[event_id]/(leads)/leads/exhibit/[exhibit_id]/ae_comp__lead_qr_scanner_multi.svelte
@@ -177,17 +177,22 @@
 
         const user_email = $events_loc.leads.auth_exhibit_kv?.[exhibit_id]?.key || 'shared_passcode';
         try {
-            await events_func.create_ae_obj__exhibit_tracking({
+            const result = await events_func.create_ae_obj__exhibit_tracking({
                 api_cfg: $ae_api,
                 exhibit_id,
                 event_badge_id: item.badge.event_badge_id_random,
                 external_person_id: user_email,
                 group: user_email
             });
-            item.status = 'added';
-            if (on_lead_added) on_lead_added(item.badge);
-            // Brief success display, then fade out
-            setTimeout(() => dismiss_item(item), 1000);
+            if (result) {
+                item.status = 'added';
+                if (on_lead_added) on_lead_added(item.badge);
+                // Brief success display, then fade out
+                setTimeout(() => dismiss_item(item), 1000);
+            } else {
+                // API returned false/null — network error, API down, or auth failure.
+                item.status = 'error';
+            }
         } catch {
             item.status = 'error';
         }
@@ -299,7 +304,7 @@
             <div class="w-full grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-3">
                 {#each batch as item (item.id)}
                     <div
-                        class="batch-card card p-4 space-y-3 bg-surface-50-900 border border-surface-500/20 shadow min-h-[7rem]"
+                        class="batch-card card p-4 space-y-3 bg-surface-50-900 border border-surface-500/20 shadow min-h-28"
                         class:dismissing={item.dismissing}
                     >
                         {#if item.status === 'loading'}