diff --git a/apps/machine/src/stores/atm.ts b/apps/machine/src/stores/atm.ts
index c868322..f9af8cb 100644
--- a/apps/machine/src/stores/atm.ts
+++ b/apps/machine/src/stores/atm.ts
@@ -343,6 +343,12 @@ export const useAtmStore = defineStore('atm', () => {
   // The card balance is hidden by default on the public screen; the holder
   // reveals it with the eye toggle. Resets on re-lock.
   const cardBalanceRevealed = ref(false)
+  // Set when a card accepted a cash-out pull and the machine then left the
+  // invoice screen without ever seeing the payment settle. The customer's
+  // wallet paid and no cash came out, so this must be visible and carry the
+  // reference an operator can reconcile against — never a silent return to
+  // the amount screen. Cleared when the next transaction starts.
+  const settlementError = ref<{ txid: string | null; message: string } | null>(null)
   // When the card server names a currency but didn't price the balance (its
   // rate cache was cold — it never blocks the unlock on a rate lookup), price
   // it here from the ATM's own rate source, in that currency.
@@ -663,6 +669,26 @@ export const useAtmStore = defineStore('atm', () => {
         (prevNestedState === 'displayingInvoice' && currentNested !== 'displayingInvoice') ||
         (prevNestedState === 'displayingQR' && currentNested !== 'displayingQR')
       if (leftBoltCardScreen) {
+        // The card accepted the pull (that's what leaves processing latched
+        // with an 'accepted' status) but we left the invoice screen for
+        // somewhere other than the dispenser: the payment was taken and no
+        // cash followed. Surface it with the txid instead of dropping the
+        // customer back on the amount screen as if nothing had happened.
+        if (
+          prevNestedState === 'displayingInvoice' &&
+          currentNested !== 'dispensingCash' &&
+          boltCardProcessing.value &&
+          nfcStatus.value?.state === 'accepted'
+        ) {
+          const txid = context.value?.txid ?? null
+          console.error(
+            `[ATM] Settlement never confirmed after the card accepted the pull — txid=${txid}`
+          )
+          settlementError.value = {
+            txid,
+            message: 'Your payment was accepted but the cash was not dispensed.',
+          }
+        }
         boltCardProcessing.value = false
         nfcStatus.value = null
       }
@@ -1786,10 +1812,12 @@ export const useAtmStore = defineStore('atm', () => {
 
   // Convenience methods for common events
   function selectCashIn() {
+    settlementError.value = null
     send({ type: 'SELECT_CASH_IN' })
   }
 
   function selectCashOut() {
+    settlementError.value = null
     send({ type: 'SELECT_CASH_OUT' })
   }
 
@@ -1942,6 +1970,7 @@ export const useAtmStore = defineStore('atm', () => {
     simulateBoltCardEntry,
 
     // Access control (ADR-003)
+    settlementError,
     accessControl,
     isLocked,
     grantAccess,
diff --git a/apps/machine/src/views/CashOutView.vue b/apps/machine/src/views/CashOutView.vue
index 50980ec..50a43a2 100644
--- a/apps/machine/src/views/CashOutView.vue
+++ b/apps/machine/src/views/CashOutView.vue
@@ -178,6 +178,24 @@ function formatFiat(cents: number): string {
           key="selectingAmount"
           class="flex flex-1 flex-col justify-center px-4 lg:px-[8vw] py-4 lg:py-6 gap-4 lg:gap-6"
         >
+          <!-- A payment was taken and no cash came out. Say so plainly, with
+               the reference an operator needs; do not let the customer wander
+               back into the amount grid believing nothing happened. -->
+          <div
+            v-if="atmStore.settlementError"
+            class="rounded-lg border-2 border-destructive bg-destructive/10 px-4 py-3 text-center lg:px-6 lg:py-4"
+          >
+            <p class="text-base font-bold text-destructive lg:text-2xl">
+              {{ atmStore.settlementError.message }}
+            </p>
+            <p class="mt-1 text-xs text-muted-foreground lg:text-lg">
+              Please contact the operator<template v-if="atmStore.settlementError.txid">
+                and quote
+                <span class="font-mono-code">{{ atmStore.settlementError.txid }}</span> </template
+              >.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+
           <!-- Denomination grid -->
           <div class="grid grid-cols-2 gap-3 lg:gap-6">
             <div