diff --git a/tailscalectl/TailscaleWidget.qml b/tailscalectl/TailscaleWidget.qml
index 864b9a6..fd77bb4 100644
--- a/tailscalectl/TailscaleWidget.qml
+++ b/tailscalectl/TailscaleWidget.qml
@@ -24,19 +24,8 @@ PluginComponent {
     popoutWidth: 360
     popoutHeight: 400
 
-    Timer {
-        id: refreshTimer
-        interval: 5000
-        running: true
-        repeat: true
-        onTriggered: {
-            if (!statusCheck.running) {
-                statusCheck.running = true
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
     Component.onCompleted: {
+        // Initial status fetch on load. Subsequent fetches are on-demand (popout open, explicit refresh, or post-action verification).
         statusCheck.running = true
     }