diff --git a/core/repair_jobs/album_completeness.py b/core/repair_jobs/album_completeness.py
index 227a9399..69686b60 100644
--- a/core/repair_jobs/album_completeness.py
+++ b/core/repair_jobs/album_completeness.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class AlbumCompletenessJob(RepairJob):
             # If we don't know the expected track count, try to get it from API
             expected_total = db_track_count
 
-            if not expected_total and context.spotify_client:
+            if not expected_total and context.spotify_client and not context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
                 try:
                     album_data = context.spotify_client.get_album(spotify_album_id)
                     if album_data:
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class AlbumCompletenessJob(RepairJob):
 
             # Album is incomplete — try to find which tracks are missing
             missing_tracks = []
-            if context.spotify_client:
+            if context.spotify_client and not context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
                 try:
                     api_tracks = context.spotify_client.get_album_tracks(spotify_album_id)
                     if api_tracks and 'items' in api_tracks:
diff --git a/core/repair_jobs/base.py b/core/repair_jobs/base.py
index ce35cd09..41178780 100644
--- a/core/repair_jobs/base.py
+++ b/core/repair_jobs/base.py
@@ -41,6 +41,18 @@ class JobContext:
         """Return True if the worker should stop."""
         return self.should_stop() if self.should_stop else False
 
+    def is_spotify_rate_limited(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if Spotify is currently under a global rate limit ban.
+
+        Jobs should call this before making Spotify API calls in their
+        scan loops to avoid churning through items uselessly.
+        """
+        try:
+            from core.spotify_client import SpotifyClient
+            return SpotifyClient.is_rate_limited()
+        except Exception:
+            return False
+
     def wait_if_paused(self):
         """Block until unpaused or stopped. Returns True if should stop."""
         import time
diff --git a/core/repair_jobs/metadata_gap_filler.py b/core/repair_jobs/metadata_gap_filler.py
index e9b0b0c9..b2186ded 100644
--- a/core/repair_jobs/metadata_gap_filler.py
+++ b/core/repair_jobs/metadata_gap_filler.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ class MetadataGapFillerJob(RepairJob):
             found_fields = {}
 
             # Try Spotify enrichment first (most reliable for ISRC)
-            if spotify_track_id and context.spotify_client:
+            if spotify_track_id and context.spotify_client and not context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
                 try:
                     track_data = context.spotify_client.get_track_details(spotify_track_id)
                     if track_data:
diff --git a/core/repair_jobs/missing_cover_art.py b/core/repair_jobs/missing_cover_art.py
index 6edb4fdf..d0824732 100644
--- a/core/repair_jobs/missing_cover_art.py
+++ b/core/repair_jobs/missing_cover_art.py
@@ -147,6 +147,9 @@ class MissingCoverArtJob(RepairJob):
             return None
 
         try:
+            if context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
+                return None
+
             # If we have a Spotify album ID, fetch directly
             if spotify_album_id and client.is_spotify_authenticated():
                 album_data = client.get_album(spotify_album_id)
diff --git a/core/repair_jobs/track_number_repair.py b/core/repair_jobs/track_number_repair.py
index 60a1d91b..1d706af4 100644
--- a/core/repair_jobs/track_number_repair.py
+++ b/core/repair_jobs/track_number_repair.py
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ class TrackNumberRepairJob(RepairJob):
 
         # Fallback 3: Spotify track ID → discover album ID
         client = context.spotify_client
-        if spotify_track_id and client and client.is_spotify_authenticated():
+        if spotify_track_id and client and client.is_spotify_authenticated() and not context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
             try:
                 track_details = client.get_track_details(spotify_track_id)
                 if track_details and track_details.get('album', {}).get('id'):
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ class TrackNumberRepairJob(RepairJob):
                 logger.debug("Spotify track lookup failed for %s: %s", spotify_track_id, e)
 
         # Fallback 4: Search Spotify/iTunes by album name + artist
-        if album_name and client:
+        if album_name and client and not context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
             try:
                 query = f"{artist_name} {album_name}" if artist_name else album_name
                 results = client.search_albums(query, limit=5)
@@ -1031,7 +1031,7 @@ def _get_album_tracklist(album_id: str, context: JobContext,
 
     # Try Spotify first
     client = context.spotify_client
-    if client and client.is_spotify_authenticated():
+    if client and client.is_spotify_authenticated() and not context.is_spotify_rate_limited():
         try:
             data = client.get_album_tracks(album_id)
             if data and 'items' in data and data['items']: