diff --git a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/+layout.svelte
index ea6d374c..9a2d8485 100644
--- a/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/idaa/(idaa)/+layout.svelte
@@ -271,7 +271,14 @@ $effect(() => {
  * Verifies a Novi UUID against the Novi API and sets permissions accordingly.
  * "All or nothing" — if no API key is configured or the call fails, access is denied.
  * Called from within untrack(), so store writes here will not trigger reactive loops.
- * On a 429 rate-limit response, waits 10 seconds and retries once before failing.
+ *
+ * Retry policy:
+ *   429 (rate limited) → wait 10s, retry once.
+ *   Network error / timeout → wait 3s, retry once.
+ *   Anything else (4xx, 5xx, empty 200) → fail immediately.
+ *
+ * The Novi fetch is wrapped in an AbortController with a 12s hard timeout.
+ * Without it, a hung Novi server leaves verify_in_flight=true indefinitely.
  */
 async function verify_novi_uuid(
     uuid: string,
@@ -302,10 +309,21 @@ async function verify_novi_uuid(
     try {
         const headers = new Headers();
         headers.append('Authorization', `Basic ${api_key}`);
-        const response = await fetch(`${api_root_url}/customers/${uuid}`, {
-            method: 'GET',
-            headers
-        });
+
+        // Hard timeout: abort if Novi doesn't respond within 12 seconds.
+        // Prevents verify_in_flight from getting stuck on a hung server.
+        const abort_ctrl = new AbortController();
+        const abort_timeout_id = setTimeout(() => abort_ctrl.abort(), 12_000);
+        let response: Response;
+        try {
+            response = await fetch(`${api_root_url}/customers/${uuid}`, {
+                method: 'GET',
+                headers,
+                signal: abort_ctrl.signal
+            });
+        } finally {
+            clearTimeout(abort_timeout_id);
+        }
 
         if (response.status === 429) {
             if (is_retry) {
@@ -393,6 +411,23 @@ async function verify_novi_uuid(
         $idaa_loc.bb.qry__hidden = 'not_hidden';
         $idaa_loc.bb.qry__enabled = 'enabled';
     } catch (error) {
+        // Network errors (TypeError: Failed to fetch) and AbortError (our 12s timeout) get one
+        // automatic retry after a short wait — they are almost always transient (cellular drop,
+        // hotel WiFi hiccup, momentary Novi server lag).
+        const is_network_or_timeout =
+            error instanceof TypeError ||
+            (error instanceof Error && error.name === 'AbortError');
+        if (is_network_or_timeout && !is_retry) {
+            const reason = error instanceof Error && error.name === 'AbortError'
+                ? 'timed out (no response in 12s)'
+                : 'network error';
+            console.warn(`IDAA Layout: Novi verification ${reason} for ${uuid}. Retrying in 3s...`);
+            verifying_status_msg = 'Connection issue — retrying...';
+            await new Promise<void>((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 3_000));
+            await verify_novi_uuid(uuid, api_key, api_root_url, true);
+            return;
+        }
+
         // Verification failed — all-or-nothing means deny access.
         console.error(
             `IDAA Layout: Novi UUID verification failed for ${uuid}:`,
@@ -488,11 +523,12 @@ function handle_verify_retry() {
             </p>
         {:else}
             <p class="text-sm">
-                We were unable to connect to the membership directory. This is likely a temporary issue — it may not be a problem with your membership or access.
+                We were unable to connect to the membership directory. This is usually a temporary network issue — it is not a problem with your membership or access.
             </p>
         {/if}
         <p class="text-xs italic text-gray-500">
-            If this keeps happening, try "Clear Cache &amp; Reload" or contact technical support.
+            Try "Try Again" first. If the problem persists, use "Clear Cache &amp; Reload".
+            If nothing works, close this page and reopen IDAA from the menu on idaa.org.
         </p>
         <div class="flex flex-row flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-2">
             <!-- Try Again: unlatches verify_failed_for_uuid and re-runs Effect 2 — no reload needed -->
@@ -591,7 +627,8 @@ function handle_verify_retry() {
 
         {#if $ae_loc.iframe}
             <p class="text-xs italic text-gray-500">
-                If you just opened this page, try reloading. If the problem persists, try "Clear Cache &amp; Reload".
+                If you just opened this page, try reloading. If the problem persists, try
+                "Clear Cache &amp; Reload", or close this page and reopen IDAA from the menu on idaa.org.
             </p>
             <div class="flex flex-row flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-2">
                 <!-- WHY: In iframe mode the Novi UUID is passed via URL param on first load.