diff --git a/plugins/decky-vault/main.py b/plugins/decky-vault/main.py
index 12747a1..8a01439 100644
--- a/plugins/decky-vault/main.py
+++ b/plugins/decky-vault/main.py
@@ -190,7 +190,8 @@ class Plugin:
             config_content = """\
 # DeckyVault MangoHud logging config
 output_folder=/tmp
-autostart_log=0
+control=mangohud
+autostart_log=1
 fps
 frame_timing
 cpu_power
@@ -233,20 +234,17 @@ benchmark_percentiles=97,AVG,1,0.1
             return {"success": False, "error": str(e)}
 
     async def stop_mangohud_logging(self) -> dict:
-        """RPC: Stop MangoHud logging via mangohudctl."""
+        """RPC: Stop MangoHud logging via mangohudctl. Best-effort, may fail if game already closed."""
         import subprocess
         try:
             result = subprocess.run(
                 ["mangohudctl", "set", "log_session", "false"],
-                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=2
             )
             if result.returncode == 0:
                 return {"success": True}
-            else:
-                return {"success": False, "error": result.stderr.strip() or "mangohudctl failed"}
-        except FileNotFoundError:
-            return {"success": False, "error": "mangohudctl not found. Is MangoHud running?"}
-        except Exception as e:
+            return {"success": False, "error": result.stderr.strip() or "mangohudctl failed"}
+        except (subprocess.TimeoutExpired, FileNotFoundError, Exception) as e:
             return {"success": False, "error": str(e)}
 
     async def _find_mangohud_log(self) -> str | None:
diff --git a/plugins/decky-vault/src/index.tsx b/plugins/decky-vault/src/index.tsx
index 7167c55..a26c72c 100644
--- a/plugins/decky-vault/src/index.tsx
+++ b/plugins/decky-vault/src/index.tsx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import {
   readAndParseMangohudLog,
   clearMangohudLog,
   writeMangohudConfig,
+  stopMangohudLogging,
   getHardwareInfo,
   getOsVersion,
   getProtonVersion,
@@ -80,6 +81,8 @@ function Content() {
   // ── Handle stop recording: parse log + read system info ────────
   async function handleStop() {
     try {
+      // Try to stop MangoHud logging (best-effort, may fail if game already closed)
+      await stopMangohudLogging()
       stopRecording()
 
       // Parse the MangoHud log