diff --git a/src/system/audio.py b/src/system/audio.py
index 128d2bb..5ed7358 100644
--- a/src/system/audio.py
+++ b/src/system/audio.py
@@ -913,8 +913,12 @@ class JackAudioClient:
         """Deactivate and close the JACK client."""
         if not self._active or self._client is None:
             return
+        # Skip deactivate() if JACK server is already dead — it hangs
+        # on a broken server socket (Broken pipe).
         try:
-            self._client.deactivate()
+            import subprocess
+            if subprocess.run(["pidof", "jackd"], capture_output=True).returncode == 0:
+                self._client.deactivate()
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.warning("JACK deactivate error: %s", exc)
         try: