diff --git a/docs/specs/auto-update.md b/docs/specs/auto-update.md
index 4143ddb85..c0b59c413 100644
--- a/docs/specs/auto-update.md
+++ b/docs/specs/auto-update.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ The standalone app checks for updates on launch, where the network policy allows
 
 On launch the updater, in order:
 
-1. **Must read and clear the post-install marker** (§localStorage) and show its notice; a reported failure suppresses this launch's check and reminder.
+1. **Must read and clear the post-install marker** (§localStorage) and show its notice; a reported failure suppresses this launch's automatic check and reminders, even after dismissal.
 2. Reads the network policy over the Burrow link and, where it allows (`docs/specs/remote-network.md` → "Updates"), calls `check()`: no update is silent, an update raises the approval prompt.
 3. Shows the reminder if due, recording `remindedAt`.
 
diff --git a/standalone/src/updater.test.ts b/standalone/src/updater.test.ts
index a9e80469d..efd24a39b 100644
--- a/standalone/src/updater.test.ts
+++ b/standalone/src/updater.test.ts
@@ -254,6 +254,28 @@ describe('updater', () => {
       expect(mocks.check).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
+    it.each([
+      { failed: true, version: '0.5.0', error: 'EACCES' },
+      { from: '0.4.0', to: '0.5.0' },
+    ])('keeps a failure-marker launch quiet after dismissal: %j', async (marker) => {
+      vi.setSystemTime(new Date('2026-10-01T00:00:00Z'));
+      localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify(marker));
+      localStorage.setItem(CHECK_KEY, JSON.stringify({
+        checkedAt: null, since: Date.now() - 9 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000, remindedAt: null,
+      }));
+      startUpdateCheck();
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0);
+      dismissBanner();
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(60 * 60 * 1000);
+
+      expect(readBannerState()).toEqual({ status: 'dismissed' });
+      expect(mocks.check).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(CHECK_KEY)!).remindedAt).toBeNull();
+      checkNow();
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(0);
+      expect(mocks.check).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    });
+
     it('reports an unconfirmed install as failure and skips the update check', async () => {
       localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify({ from: '0.4.0', to: '0.5.0' }));
 
diff --git a/standalone/src/updater.ts b/standalone/src/updater.ts
index 5754d43be..32e1c6aa8 100644
--- a/standalone/src/updater.ts
+++ b/standalone/src/updater.ts
@@ -370,9 +370,6 @@ export function startUpdateCheck(): void {
     console.info('[updater] a self-host build: no update check');
     return;
   }
-  // The reminder again, hourly, whatever the policy: it contacts nothing, and
-  // never checks.
-  reminderTimer ??= setInterval(() => remindIfDue(Date.now()), HOUR_MS);
   void runUpdateCheck().catch((e) => console.error('[updater] Startup failed:', e));
 }
 
@@ -429,6 +426,10 @@ async function runUpdateCheck(): Promise<void> {
     return;
   }
 
+  // The reminder again, hourly, whatever the policy: it contacts nothing, and
+  // never checks.
+  reminderTimer ??= setInterval(() => remindIfDue(Date.now()), HOUR_MS);
+
   await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 5_000));
 
   // Read at the check, so a change made meanwhile counts