diff --git a/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.json b/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.json
index a6fd6a6..939ef21 100644
--- a/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.json
+++ b/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.json
@@ -45,5 +45,58 @@
     "controllerHardwareVerified": false,
     "wornVisualComfortVerified": false,
     "vrKeyboardVerified": false
-  }
+  },
+  "combinedHeadChecks": [
+    {
+      "timeUtc": "2026-10-26T02:01:05.938830+00:00",
+      "head": "bc72c41be5aa4bc80192145afefb1c6fe31a47fc",
+      "passed": false,
+      "overlayVisible": false,
+      "inputPassed": false,
+      "reason": "Timed out waiting for live UI: 0",
+      "retaggedTestWindow": true,
+      "batteryBefore": [
+        100
+      ],
+      "batteryAfter": [
+        99
+      ],
+      "powerRestored": true,
+      "lockReleased": true
+    },
+    {
+      "timeUtc": "2026-10-26T02:02:44.600755+00:00",
+      "head": "bc72c41be5aa4bc80192145afefb1c6fe31a47fc",
+      "passed": false,
+      "overlayVisible": false,
+      "inputPassed": false,
+      "reason": "Timed out waiting for live UI: 0",
+      "retaggedTestWindow": true,
+      "batteryBefore": [
+        99
+      ],
+      "batteryAfter": [
+        99
+      ],
+      "powerRestored": true,
+      "lockReleased": true
+    },
+    {
+      "timeUtc": "2026-10-26T02:05:00.560460+00:00",
+      "head": "bc72c41be5aa4bc80192145afefb1c6fe31a47fc",
+      "passed": true,
+      "overlayVisible": true,
+      "inputPassed": true,
+      "reason": null,
+      "retaggedTestWindow": false,
+      "batteryBefore": [
+        99
+      ],
+      "batteryAfter": [
+        99
+      ],
+      "powerRestored": true,
+      "lockReleased": true
+    }
+  ]
 }
diff --git a/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.md b/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.md
index 8cb16fc..87d3dc4 100644
--- a/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.md
+++ b/docs/evidence/framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.md
@@ -25,3 +25,20 @@ power change.
 Synthetic pointer events and captures do not prove physical controller use,
 wearer-visible readability, optical comfort or VR keyboard behavior. Those
 remain unverified.
+
+## Combined v0.4.39 candidate reruns
+
+After #278 and #279 joined main, the combined `bc72c41` branch ran the same
+locked exercise three times. The first two runs (02:01 and 02:02 UTC) loaded
+the sample UI in Chromium, but SteamVR kept its overlay hidden even after the
+existing test-window focus retry. Synthetic input reached no panel control;
+both runs failed. The third run (02:05 UTC) showed the overlay without that
+retry and passed the sample setting, input, stereo and mirror checks. Every run
+restored the original power settings, removed its recovery timer and released
+its own lock with no cleanup errors. The [numeric summary](framey-vr-standby-gate-2026-10-26.json)
+records all three outcomes.
+
+The intermittent hidden-overlay condition remains a reliability limit. The
+runner now records a small read-only diagnostic and refuses to send synthetic
+input if the overlay stays hidden after its focus retry. A successful Chromium
+panel alone is not treated as VR visibility.
diff --git a/docs/framey-vr-check.md b/docs/framey-vr-check.md
index f1cfc1e..799df7d 100644
--- a/docs/framey-vr-check.md
+++ b/docs/framey-vr-check.md
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ not proof of a physical controller or the SteamVR virtual keyboard.
 SteamVR can leave a recreated panel hidden with a stale focus request. The
 exercise retries once by removing and reapplying `STEAM_GAME` on its own test
 browser window, then requests focus again. It never retags another application.
-The report records whether this recovery was needed. Registration, dashboard
+If the overlay stays hidden, it records a small read-only registration/service
+diagnostic and stops before synthetic input. The report records whether this
+recovery was needed. Registration, dashboard
 visibility, actual panel visibility, and pixel capture are separate checks.
 A visible docked panel can report `IsDashboardVisible=false` and
 `IsActiveDashboardOverlay=false`. A zero-sized main texture or failed image
diff --git a/scripts/framey-vr-check.py b/scripts/framey-vr-check.py
index 1978fc0..6524cca 100644
--- a/scripts/framey-vr-check.py
+++ b/scripts/framey-vr-check.py
@@ -99,6 +99,22 @@ finally: vr.close()
 '''
 
 
+HIDDEN_OVERLAY_DIAGNOSTIC = '''
+import json,pathlib,subprocess
+key='valve.steam.desktopgame.2001947813'
+p=subprocess.run(['/opt/steamvr/bin/linuxarm64/vrcmd','--overlays'],
+                 capture_output=True,text=True,timeout=8)
+lines=[line.strip() for line in p.stdout.splitlines() if "'"+key+"'" in line]
+service=subprocess.run(['systemctl','--user','is-active','frame-control-headset.service'],
+                       capture_output=True,text=True,timeout=8)
+state=pathlib.Path.home()/'.local/share/frame-control/headset/state.json'
+try: window=json.loads(state.read_text()).get('window')
+except (OSError,ValueError): window=None
+print(json.dumps({'overlayLines':lines[:2], 'overlayCommandExit':p.returncode,
+                  'serviceActive':service.stdout.strip()=='active', 'windowRegistered':bool(window)}))
+'''
+
+
 def debug_bundle(original, profile):
     """Only the test-owned browser gets CDP and a disposable profile."""
     out = io.BytesIO()
@@ -227,6 +243,12 @@ time.sleep(2)
 print('{}')
 ''')
             report['overlay'] = remote.python(diagnostic_source())
+        if args.exercise and not report['overlay']['state']['visible']:
+            try:
+                report['hiddenOverlay'] = remote.python(HIDDEN_OVERLAY_DIAGNOSTIC)
+            except Exception as exc:
+                report['hiddenOverlayError'] = str(exc)
+            raise RuntimeError('Frame Control overlay stayed hidden after focus retry; no input sent')
         if args.wake or args.exercise:
             shot = remote.python((ROOT/'ui/frame_vrshot.py').read_text(), timeout=20)['path']
             try: