diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c58b413..fe71bfe 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ sudo numa                              # port 53 requires root
 
 Open the dashboard: **http://numa.numa** (or `http://localhost:5380`)
 
-Set as system DNS: `sudo numa install && sudo numa service start`
+Set as system DNS: `sudo numa install`
 
 ## Local Services
 
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 3c287ca..34990f8 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -59,8 +59,10 @@ fn default_bind_addr() -> String {
     "0.0.0.0:53".to_string()
 }
 
+pub const DEFAULT_API_PORT: u16 = 5380;
+
 fn default_api_port() -> u16 {
-    5380
+    DEFAULT_API_PORT
 }
 
 #[derive(Deserialize, Default, PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Copy)]
diff --git a/src/recursive.rs b/src/recursive.rs
index aed93e7..7801bec 100644
--- a/src/recursive.rs
+++ b/src/recursive.rs
@@ -65,18 +65,19 @@ pub async fn probe_udp(root_hints: &[SocketAddr]) {
     }
 }
 
-/// Probe whether recursive resolution works by querying a root server.
+/// Probe whether recursive resolution works by querying root servers.
+/// Tries up to 3 hints before declaring failure.
 pub async fn probe_recursive(root_hints: &[SocketAddr]) -> bool {
-    let hint = match root_hints.first() {
-        Some(h) => *h,
-        None => return false,
-    };
     let mut probe = DnsPacket::query(next_id(), ".", QueryType::NS);
     probe.header.recursion_desired = false;
-    match forward_udp(&probe, hint, Duration::from_secs(3)).await {
-        Ok(resp) => !resp.answers.is_empty() || !resp.authorities.is_empty(),
-        Err(_) => false,
+    for hint in root_hints.iter().take(3) {
+        if let Ok(resp) = forward_udp(&probe, *hint, Duration::from_secs(3)).await {
+            if !resp.answers.is_empty() || !resp.authorities.is_empty() {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
     }
+    false
 }
 
 pub async fn prime_tld_cache(
diff --git a/src/system_dns.rs b/src/system_dns.rs
index eb2a2c1..f1c1426 100644
--- a/src/system_dns.rs
+++ b/src/system_dns.rs
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ fn resolvectl_dns_server() -> Option<String> {
         if line.contains("DNS Servers") || line.contains("Current DNS Server") {
             if let Some(ip) = line.split(':').next_back() {
                 let ip = ip.trim();
-                if !is_loopback_or_stub(ip) {
+                if ip.parse::<std::net::IpAddr>().is_ok() && !is_loopback_or_stub(ip) {
                     return Some(ip.to_string());
                 }
             }
@@ -632,12 +632,7 @@ fn install_service_macos() -> Result<(), String> {
     std::fs::write(PLIST_DEST, plist)
         .map_err(|e| format!("failed to write {}: {}", PLIST_DEST, e))?;
 
-    // Configure system DNS before starting service
-    if let Err(e) = install_macos() {
-        eprintln!("  warning: failed to configure system DNS: {}", e);
-    }
-
-    // Load the service
+    // Load the service first so numa is listening before DNS redirect
     let status = std::process::Command::new("launchctl")
         .args(["load", "-w", PLIST_DEST])
         .status()
@@ -647,6 +642,27 @@ fn install_service_macos() -> Result<(), String> {
         return Err("launchctl load failed".to_string());
     }
 
+    // Wait for numa to be ready before redirecting DNS
+    let api_up = (0..10).any(|i| {
+        if i > 0 {
+            std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(500));
+        }
+        std::net::TcpStream::connect(("127.0.0.1", crate::config::DEFAULT_API_PORT)).is_ok()
+    });
+    if !api_up {
+        // Service failed to start — don't redirect DNS to a dead endpoint
+        let _ = std::process::Command::new("launchctl")
+            .args(["unload", PLIST_DEST])
+            .status();
+        return Err(
+            "numa service did not start (port 53 may be in use). Service unloaded.".to_string(),
+        );
+    }
+
+    if let Err(e) = install_macos() {
+        eprintln!("  warning: failed to configure system DNS: {}", e);
+    }
+
     eprintln!("  Service installed and started.");
     eprintln!("  Numa will auto-start on boot and restart if killed.");
     eprintln!("  Logs: /usr/local/var/log/numa.log");