diff --git a/internal/api/api.go b/internal/api/api.go
index 10d6569..439e54d 100644
--- a/internal/api/api.go
+++ b/internal/api/api.go
@@ -110,9 +110,11 @@ func (s *Server) healthz(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
 	if s.SelfIP != nil {
 		out["self_ip"] = s.SelfIP.Status()
 	}
-	if s.Search != nil && len(s.Search.Degraded) > 0 {
-		out["status"] = "degraded"
-		out["search"] = s.Search.Degraded
+	if s.Search != nil {
+		if d := s.Search.Health(); len(d) > 0 {
+			out["status"] = "degraded"
+			out["search"] = d
+		}
 	}
 	_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(out)
 }
diff --git a/internal/search/build.go b/internal/search/build.go
index b9275aa..b20476c 100644
--- a/internal/search/build.go
+++ b/internal/search/build.go
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ const (
 )
 
 // Build constructs sources from config. Missing keys are listed on Engine.Degraded
-// and logged once; those sources are not attempted.
+// and logged once; those sources are not attempted. A source whose DNS is down
+// at boot stays in the list and is retried on Search.
 func Build(cfg config.Search, cache *dcache.DB, emb Embedder, log *slog.Logger) *Engine {
 	timeout := config.ParseDuration(cfg.Timeout, 8*time.Second)
 	ttl := config.ParseDuration(cfg.CacheTTL, time.Hour)
@@ -40,15 +41,9 @@ func Build(cfg config.Search, cache *dcache.DB, emb Embedder, log *slog.Logger)
 		if u == "" {
 			u = defaultSearx
 		}
-		c, err := dial.New(u, dial.Options{Loopback: true, Timeout: timeout})
-		if err != nil {
-			e.Degraded = append(e.Degraded, "search.searxng: "+err.Error())
-			if log != nil {
-				log.Error("search source", "source", NameSearxNG, "err", err)
-			}
-		} else {
-			e.Sources = append(e.Sources, &SearxNG{Client: c})
-		}
+		addPinned(e, log, NameSearxNG, u, dial.Options{Loopback: true, Timeout: timeout}, func(c *dial.Client) Source {
+			return &SearxNG{Client: c}
+		})
 	}
 	if cfg.BraveLLM.Enabled {
 		key := os.Getenv("BRAVE_API_KEY")
@@ -62,15 +57,9 @@ func Build(cfg config.Search, cache *dcache.DB, emb Embedder, log *slog.Logger)
 			if u == "" {
 				u = defaultBrave
 			}
-			c, err := dial.New(u, dial.Options{Timeout: timeout})
-			if err != nil {
-				e.Degraded = append(e.Degraded, "search.brave_llm: "+err.Error())
-				if log != nil {
-					log.Error("search source", "source", NameBraveLLM, "err", err)
-				}
-			} else {
-				e.Sources = append(e.Sources, &BraveLLM{Client: c, Key: key})
-			}
+			addPinned(e, log, NameBraveLLM, u, dial.Options{Timeout: timeout}, func(c *dial.Client) Source {
+				return &BraveLLM{Client: c, Key: key}
+			})
 		}
 	}
 	if cfg.Tavily.Enabled {
@@ -85,16 +74,25 @@ func Build(cfg config.Search, cache *dcache.DB, emb Embedder, log *slog.Logger)
 			if u == "" {
 				u = defaultTav
 			}
-			c, err := dial.New(u, dial.Options{Timeout: timeout})
-			if err != nil {
-				e.Degraded = append(e.Degraded, "search.tavily: "+err.Error())
-				if log != nil {
-					log.Error("search source", "source", NameTavily, "err", err)
-				}
-			} else {
-				e.Sources = append(e.Sources, &Tavily{Client: c, Key: key})
-			}
+			addPinned(e, log, NameTavily, u, dial.Options{Timeout: timeout}, func(c *dial.Client) Source {
+				return &Tavily{Client: c, Key: key}
+			})
 		}
 	}
 	return e
 }
+
+func addPinned(e *Engine, log *slog.Logger, name, raw string, opt dial.Options, wrap func(*dial.Client) Source) {
+	c, err := dial.New(raw, opt)
+	if err != nil {
+		e.Degraded = append(e.Degraded, "search."+name+": unavailable")
+		if log != nil {
+			log.Error("search source", "source", name, "err", "unavailable")
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	e.Sources = append(e.Sources, wrap(c))
+	if !c.Ready() && log != nil {
+		log.Error("search source unresolved, will retry", "source", name)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/search/dial/dial.go b/internal/search/dial/dial.go
index 9b3873f..2b54e5c 100644
--- a/internal/search/dial/dial.go
+++ b/internal/search/dial/dial.go
@@ -77,9 +77,7 @@ func New(raw string, opt Options) (*Client, error) {
 		lookup:   lookup,
 		refresh:  opt.Refresh,
 	}
-	if err := c.resolve(context.Background()); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	_ = c.resolve(context.Background()) // DNS down: keep the client, retry in Search
 	d := &net.Dialer{
 		Timeout: opt.Timeout,
 		Control: c.control,
@@ -204,17 +202,38 @@ func (c *Client) checkRedirect(req *http.Request, via []*http.Request) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// RefreshIfStale re-resolves when the pin is older than Refresh.
+// RefreshIfStale re-resolves when unpinned or the pin is older than Refresh.
+// A failed refresh leaves existing pins in place.
 func (c *Client) RefreshIfStale(ctx context.Context) error {
 	c.mu.Lock()
-	stale := time.Since(c.resolved) >= c.refresh
+	need := len(c.ips) == 0 || time.Since(c.resolved) >= c.refresh
 	c.mu.Unlock()
-	if !stale {
+	if !need {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return c.resolve(ctx)
 }
 
+// Ensure resolves if needed. Error only when still unpinned afterwards.
+func (c *Client) Ensure(ctx context.Context) error {
+	if c == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("search dial: nil")
+	}
+	if err := c.RefreshIfStale(ctx); err != nil && !c.Ready() {
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (c *Client) Ready() bool {
+	if c == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	return len(c.ips) > 0
+}
+
 func (c *Client) IPs() []netip.Addr {
 	c.mu.Lock()
 	defer c.mu.Unlock()
diff --git a/internal/search/dial/dial_test.go b/internal/search/dial/dial_test.go
index eb6faa6..64cd2c2 100644
--- a/internal/search/dial/dial_test.go
+++ b/internal/search/dial/dial_test.go
@@ -2,16 +2,20 @@ package dial_test
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
 	"net/netip"
 	"net/url"
 	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.wntrmute.dev/kyle/sift/internal/search/dial"
 )
 
+var errDNS = errors.New("dns down")
+
 func TestLoopbackAllowsConfiguredPort(t *testing.T) {
 	ts := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		w.WriteHeader(200)
@@ -53,25 +57,31 @@ func TestLoopbackRefusesOtherPort(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPublicPoisonedPrivateRefused(t *testing.T) {
-	_, err := dial.New("https://api.tavily.com/search", dial.Options{
+	c, err := dial.New("https://api.tavily.com/search", dial.Options{
 		Loopback: false,
 		Lookup: func(_ context.Context, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
 			return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("127.0.0.1")}, nil
 		},
 	})
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("poisoned A record allowed")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if c.Ready() {
+		t.Fatal("poisoned A record pinned")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPublicPrivateRFC1918Refused(t *testing.T) {
-	_, err := dial.New("https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/llm/context", dial.Options{
+	c, err := dial.New("https://api.search.brave.com/res/v1/llm/context", dial.Options{
 		Lookup: func(_ context.Context, _ string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
 			return []netip.Addr{netip.MustParseAddr("10.0.0.5")}, nil
 		},
 	})
-	if err == nil {
-		t.Fatal("private A allowed")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if c.Ready() {
+		t.Fatal("private A pinned")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -110,3 +120,39 @@ func TestParseRejectsNonHTTP(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	_ = url.URL{}
 }
+
+func TestResolveRetriesAfterDNSDown(t *testing.T) {
+	ts := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.WriteHeader(200)
+	}))
+	defer ts.Close()
+	u, _ := url.Parse(ts.URL)
+	ip := netip.MustParseAddr(u.Hostname())
+	var n atomic.Int32
+	c, err := dial.New(ts.URL, dial.Options{
+		Loopback: true,
+		Lookup: func(_ context.Context, host string) ([]netip.Addr, error) {
+			if n.Add(1) == 1 {
+				return nil, errDNS
+			}
+			return []netip.Addr{ip}, nil
+		},
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if c.Ready() {
+		t.Fatal("first lookup should fail")
+	}
+	if err := c.Ensure(context.Background()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !c.Ready() {
+		t.Fatal("retry")
+	}
+	resp, err := c.HTTP.Get(ts.URL + "/")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	resp.Body.Close()
+}
diff --git a/internal/search/engine.go b/internal/search/engine.go
index c501019..aa7bdf9 100644
--- a/internal/search/engine.go
+++ b/internal/search/engine.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ type Engine struct {
 	CacheTTL  time.Duration
 	Embedder  Embedder
 	Log       *slog.Logger
-	Degraded  []string // healthz: "search.brave_llm: missing key"
+	Degraded  []string // static: missing keys
 	TavilyCap int
 	Now       func() time.Time
 
@@ -46,6 +46,27 @@ type RunResult struct {
 	Attempted     []string
 }
 
+type readySrc interface {
+	Name() string
+	Ready() bool
+}
+
+// Health is missing keys plus sources that still have no pin.
+func (e *Engine) Health() []string {
+	if e == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	out := append([]string(nil), e.Degraded...)
+	for _, s := range e.Sources {
+		r, ok := s.(readySrc)
+		if !ok || r.Ready() {
+			continue
+		}
+		out = append(out, "search."+r.Name()+": unresolved")
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
 func (e *Engine) now() time.Time {
 	if e != nil && e.Now != nil {
 		return e.Now()
diff --git a/internal/search/sources.go b/internal/search/sources.go
index 4dfceab..fdd5e95 100644
--- a/internal/search/sources.go
+++ b/internal/search/sources.go
@@ -30,6 +30,16 @@ func warnErr(name string, err error) string {
 	return name + ": error"
 }
 
+func pinErr(ctx context.Context, c *dial.Client, name string) string {
+	if c == nil {
+		return name + ": error"
+	}
+	if err := c.Ensure(ctx); err != nil {
+		return warnErr(name, err)
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 func readJSON(resp *http.Response, dest any) error {
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
 	if resp.StatusCode != 200 {
@@ -46,12 +56,16 @@ type SearxNG struct {
 }
 
 func (s *SearxNG) Name() string { return NameSearxNG }
+func (s *SearxNG) Ready() bool  { return s != nil && s.Client.Ready() }
+func (s *BraveLLM) Ready() bool { return s != nil && s.Client.Ready() }
 
 func (s *SearxNG) Search(ctx context.Context, query string, k int) SourceOut {
 	if s == nil || s.Client == nil {
 		return SourceOut{Warn: NameSearxNG + ": error"}
 	}
-	_ = s.Client.RefreshIfStale(ctx)
+	if w := pinErr(ctx, s.Client, NameSearxNG); w != "" {
+		return SourceOut{Warn: w}
+	}
 	base := strings.TrimRight(s.Client.URL.String(), "/")
 	u, err := url.Parse(base + "/search")
 	if err != nil {
@@ -110,7 +124,9 @@ func (s *BraveLLM) Search(ctx context.Context, query string, k int) SourceOut {
 	if s == nil || s.Client == nil {
 		return SourceOut{Warn: NameBraveLLM + ": error"}
 	}
-	_ = s.Client.RefreshIfStale(ctx)
+	if w := pinErr(ctx, s.Client, NameBraveLLM); w != "" {
+		return SourceOut{Warn: w}
+	}
 	u, err := url.Parse(s.Client.URL.String())
 	if err != nil {
 		return SourceOut{Warn: warnErr(NameBraveLLM, err)}
diff --git a/internal/search/sources_test.go b/internal/search/sources_test.go
index eda21fb..655ea40 100644
--- a/internal/search/sources_test.go
+++ b/internal/search/sources_test.go
@@ -95,3 +95,21 @@ func TestBraveMapsSources(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("grounding used as snippet")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestTavilyBadJSONIsError(t *testing.T) {
+	ts := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		_, _ = w.Write([]byte(`not-json`))
+	}))
+	defer ts.Close()
+	c, err := dial.New(ts.URL, dial.Options{Loopback: true, Timeout: time.Second})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	out := (&Tavily{Client: c, Key: "k"}).Search(context.Background(), "q", 5)
+	if out.Warn != "tavily: error" {
+		t.Fatalf("warn %q", out.Warn)
+	}
+	if len(out.Hits) != 0 || out.Credits != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("%+v", out)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/search/tavily.go b/internal/search/tavily.go
index 4315806..06959f5 100644
--- a/internal/search/tavily.go
+++ b/internal/search/tavily.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ type Tavily struct {
 }
 
 func (s *Tavily) Name() string { return NameTavily }
+func (s *Tavily) Ready() bool  { return s != nil && s.Client.Ready() }
 
 type tavilyReq struct {
 	Query             string `json:"query"`
@@ -31,7 +32,9 @@ func (s *Tavily) Search(ctx context.Context, query string, k int) SourceOut {
 	if s == nil || s.Client == nil {
 		return SourceOut{Warn: NameTavily + ": error"}
 	}
-	_ = s.Client.RefreshIfStale(ctx)
+	if w := pinErr(ctx, s.Client, NameTavily); w != "" {
+		return SourceOut{Warn: w}
+	}
 	if k <= 0 {
 		k = DefaultK
 	}
@@ -66,11 +69,14 @@ func (s *Tavily) Search(ctx context.Context, query string, k int) SourceOut {
 	if err != nil {
 		return SourceOut{Warn: warnErr(NameTavily, err)}
 	}
-	hits, credits := mapTavily(raw)
+	hits, credits, err := mapTavily(raw)
+	if err != nil {
+		return SourceOut{Warn: NameTavily + ": error"}
+	}
 	return SourceOut{Hits: hits, Credits: credits}
 }
 
-func mapTavily(raw []byte) ([]Hit, int) {
+func mapTavily(raw []byte) ([]Hit, int, error) {
 	var env struct {
 		Answer  string `json:"answer"`
 		Results []struct {
@@ -84,7 +90,7 @@ func mapTavily(raw []byte) ([]Hit, int) {
 		} `json:"usage"`
 	}
 	if err := json.Unmarshal(raw, &env); err != nil {
-		return nil, 0
+		return nil, 0, err
 	}
 	_ = env.Answer // dropped; never returned
 	hits := make([]Hit, 0, len(env.Results))
@@ -98,5 +104,5 @@ func mapTavily(raw []byte) ([]Hit, int) {
 	if credits <= 0 {
 		credits = 1
 	}
-	return hits, credits
+	return hits, credits, nil
 }