diff --git a/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py b/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py
index 90a7f2d6..7bf240cb 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/threads/daq_worker.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
 
     def __init__(self, base_url: str | None, token: str, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
+        self._active_status_error_key = None
         self.__token = token
         self.__base_url = base_url
         self.__net_manager = QNetworkAccessManager()
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
         self._last_error_payloads = deque(maxlen=10)
 
         self._last_tell_connected: bool | None = None
+        self._last_tell_error: str | None = None
         self._last_smargon_connected: bool | None = None
         self._server_connected: bool | None = None
         self._last_server_error: str | None = None
@@ -244,12 +246,19 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
             self._server_connected = True
             self._last_server_error = None
 
-            tell_conn = bool(getattr(parsed_response, "tell_connected", True))
             smargon_conn = bool(getattr(parsed_response, "smargon_connected", True))
-            tell_err = getattr(parsed_response, "tell_error", None)
             smargon_err = getattr(parsed_response, "smargon_error", None)
+            tell_conn = bool(getattr(parsed_response, "tell_connected", True))
+            tell_err = getattr(parsed_response, "tell_error", None)
+            tell_err_text = None if tell_err is None else str(tell_err).strip()
+
+
+            tell_changed = (
+                    self._last_tell_connected is None
+                    or self._last_tell_connected != tell_conn
+                    or self._last_tell_error != tell_err_text
+            )
 
-            tell_changed = self._last_tell_connected is not None and self._last_tell_connected != tell_conn
             smargon_changed = (
                     self._last_smargon_connected is not None and self._last_smargon_connected != smargon_conn
             )
@@ -449,10 +458,6 @@ class DAQWorker(QObject):
     def open_shutter(self):
         self.generic_post(f"beamline/shutter?val=true")
 
-    @Slot()
-    def alc_background(self):
-        self.generic_post("alc/background")
-
     @Slot()
     def center_loop(self):
         self.generic_post("alc/center_loop")
diff --git a/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py b/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py
index fe10f4c7..5a440057 100644
--- a/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py
+++ b/src/aare/gui/widgets/alert_banner.py
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ class AlertBanner(QFrame):
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
 
+        self._current_message: str | None = None
+
         self._clear_timer = QTimer(self)
         self._clear_timer.setSingleShot(True)
         self._clear_timer.timeout.connect(self.clear_message)
@@ -40,6 +42,9 @@ class AlertBanner(QFrame):
             self.clear_message()
             return
 
+        if msg == self._current_message:
+            return
+
         if is_error:
             decorated = f"🛑  {msg}  🛑"
             self.setStyleSheet(
@@ -79,6 +84,7 @@ class AlertBanner(QFrame):
 
     @Slot()
     def clear_message(self):
+        self._current_message = None
         self._clear_timer.stop()
         self._label.clear()
         self.setVisible(False)