diff --git a/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py b/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py
index 3d4da444b..86fcdb79f 100644
--- a/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py
+++ b/system/ui/lib/wifi_manager.py
@@ -232,6 +232,10 @@ class WifiManager:
   def set_active(self, active: bool):
     self._active = active
 
+    # Update networks immediately when activating for UI
+    if active:
+      self._update_networks(block=False)
+
   def _monitor_state(self):
     # Filter for signals
     rules = (
@@ -607,53 +611,59 @@ class WifiManager:
     if reply.header.message_type == MessageType.error:
       cloudlog.warning(f"Failed to request scan: {reply}")
 
-  def _update_networks(self):
+  def _update_networks(self, block: bool = True):
     if not self._active:
       return
 
-    with self._lock:
-      if self._wifi_device is None:
-        cloudlog.warning("No WiFi device found")
-        return
+    def worker():
+      with self._lock:
+        if self._wifi_device is None:
+          cloudlog.warning("No WiFi device found")
+          return
 
-      # NOTE: AccessPoints property may exclude hidden APs (use GetAllAccessPoints method if needed)
-      wifi_addr = DBusAddress(self._wifi_device, NM, interface=NM_WIRELESS_IFACE)
-      wifi_props = self._router_main.send_and_get_reply(Properties(wifi_addr).get_all()).body[0]
-      active_ap_path = wifi_props.get('ActiveAccessPoint', ('o', '/'))[1]
-      ap_paths = wifi_props.get('AccessPoints', ('ao', []))[1]
+        # NOTE: AccessPoints property may exclude hidden APs (use GetAllAccessPoints method if needed)
+        wifi_addr = DBusAddress(self._wifi_device, NM, interface=NM_WIRELESS_IFACE)
+        wifi_props = self._router_main.send_and_get_reply(Properties(wifi_addr).get_all()).body[0]
+        active_ap_path = wifi_props.get('ActiveAccessPoint', ('o', '/'))[1]
+        ap_paths = wifi_props.get('AccessPoints', ('ao', []))[1]
 
-      aps: dict[str, list[AccessPoint]] = {}
+        aps: dict[str, list[AccessPoint]] = {}
 
-      for ap_path in ap_paths:
-        ap_addr = DBusAddress(ap_path, NM, interface=NM_ACCESS_POINT_IFACE)
-        ap_props = self._router_main.send_and_get_reply(Properties(ap_addr).get_all())
+        for ap_path in ap_paths:
+          ap_addr = DBusAddress(ap_path, NM, interface=NM_ACCESS_POINT_IFACE)
+          ap_props = self._router_main.send_and_get_reply(Properties(ap_addr).get_all())
 
-        # some APs have been seen dropping off during iteration
-        if ap_props.header.message_type == MessageType.error:
-          cloudlog.warning(f"Failed to get AP properties for {ap_path}")
-          continue
-
-        try:
-          ap = AccessPoint.from_dbus(ap_props.body[0], ap_path, active_ap_path)
-          if ap.ssid == "":
+          # some APs have been seen dropping off during iteration
+          if ap_props.header.message_type == MessageType.error:
+            cloudlog.warning(f"Failed to get AP properties for {ap_path}")
             continue
 
-          if ap.ssid not in aps:
-            aps[ap.ssid] = []
+          try:
+            ap = AccessPoint.from_dbus(ap_props.body[0], ap_path, active_ap_path)
+            if ap.ssid == "":
+              continue
 
-          aps[ap.ssid].append(ap)
-        except Exception:
-          # catch all for parsing errors
-          cloudlog.exception(f"Failed to parse AP properties for {ap_path}")
+            if ap.ssid not in aps:
+              aps[ap.ssid] = []
 
-      networks = [Network.from_dbus(ssid, ap_list, ssid in self._connections) for ssid, ap_list in aps.items()]
-      # sort with quantized strength to reduce jumping
-      networks.sort(key=lambda n: (-n.is_connected, -n.is_saved, -round(n.strength / 100 * 2), n.ssid.lower()))
-      self._networks = networks
+            aps[ap.ssid].append(ap)
+          except Exception:
+            # catch all for parsing errors
+            cloudlog.exception(f"Failed to parse AP properties for {ap_path}")
 
-      self._update_active_connection_info()
+        networks = [Network.from_dbus(ssid, ap_list, ssid in self._connections) for ssid, ap_list in aps.items()]
+        # sort with quantized strength to reduce jumping
+        networks.sort(key=lambda n: (-n.is_connected, -n.is_saved, -round(n.strength / 100 * 2), n.ssid.lower()))
+        self._networks = networks
 
-      self._enqueue_callbacks(self._networks_updated, self._networks)
+        self._update_active_connection_info()
+
+        self._enqueue_callbacks(self._networks_updated, self._networks)
+
+    if block:
+      worker()
+    else:
+      threading.Thread(target=worker, daemon=True).start()
 
   def _update_active_connection_info(self):
     self._ipv4_address = ""