diff --git a/backend/app_controller.py b/backend/app_controller.py
index d45d1bc..d5265b1 100644
--- a/backend/app_controller.py
+++ b/backend/app_controller.py
@@ -396,7 +396,14 @@ class AppController:
         try:
             success = self.transcription_engine.start_recording()
             if not success:
-                return False, "Failed to start recording"
+                import logging
+                # Check if there's a recent error in the logger
+                err_detail = getattr(self.transcription_engine, '_last_error', '')
+                msg = f"Failed to start recording"
+                if err_detail:
+                    msg += f": {err_detail}"
+                print(f"ERROR: {msg}")
+                return False, msg
 
             # Start server sync if enabled
             if self.config.get('server_sync.enabled', False):
diff --git a/client/deepgram_transcription.py b/client/deepgram_transcription.py
index ec49bad..68b05a5 100644
--- a/client/deepgram_transcription.py
+++ b/client/deepgram_transcription.py
@@ -167,6 +167,8 @@ class DeepgramTranscriptionEngine:
             self._start_audio_stream()
         except Exception as exc:
             logger.error("Failed to open audio stream: %s", exc)
+            print(f"ERROR: Failed to open audio stream: {exc}")
+            self._last_error = f"Audio stream error: {exc}"
             self._is_recording = False
             self._stop_event.set()
             return False
diff --git a/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte b/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte
index 0a52ad8..987ace0 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/Controls.svelte
@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@
   );
   let isLoading = $state(false);
 
+  let errorMessage = $state("");
+
   async function toggleTranscription() {
     if (isLoading) return;
     isLoading = true;
+    errorMessage = "";
     try {
       if (isTranscribing) {
         await backendStore.apiPost("/api/stop");
@@ -20,8 +23,10 @@
       // Poll status to update UI immediately instead of waiting
       // for WebSocket broadcast (which can be delayed or missed)
       await backendStore.pollStatus();
-    } catch (err) {
-      console.error("Failed to toggle transcription:", err);
+    } catch (err: unknown) {
+      const msg = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+      console.error("Failed to toggle transcription:", msg);
+      errorMessage = msg;
     } finally {
       isLoading = false;
     }
@@ -104,9 +109,19 @@
   <button onclick={saveTranscriptions} disabled={!backendStore.connected}>
     Save
   </button>
+
+  {#if errorMessage}
+    <span class="error-msg">{errorMessage}</span>
+  {/if}
 </div>
 
 <style>
+  .error-msg {
+    color: #f44336;
+    font-size: 12px;
+    margin-left: 8px;
+  }
+
   .controls {
     display: flex;
     align-items: center;