diff --git a/assets/js/app.js b/assets/js/app.js
index afb56d7..6fda78c 100644
--- a/assets/js/app.js
+++ b/assets/js/app.js
@@ -13733,17 +13733,26 @@ async function _ttsViaProxy(req) {
 async function speakCookingStep(text) {
     if (!text) return;
     const s = getSettings();
-    // Use custom TTS endpoint only when explicitly configured; otherwise always use browser TTS.
+    // Respect the user's explicit engine choice.
     // Do NOT gate on s.tts_enabled — the _cookingTTS toggle in cooking mode is the only gate.
+    // If the preferred engine fails, always fall back to browser TTS.
+    const fallback = () => _speakBrowser(text);
     try {
-        // 1. HA TTS — if HA is enabled and a media player entity is configured
-        if (s.ha_enabled && s.ha_tts_entity && s.ha_url) {
-            const req = _buildHaTtsRequest(text, s);
-            await _ttsViaProxy(req);
-        // 2. Generic external endpoint ('server' or legacy 'custom' engine)
+        // 1. Browser engine — always use Web Speech API / kiosk bridge directly
+        if (!s.tts_engine || s.tts_engine === 'browser') {
+            _speakBrowser(text);
+        // 2. HA TTS — if HA is enabled and a media player entity is configured
+        } else if (s.ha_enabled && s.ha_tts_entity && s.ha_url) {
+            try {
+                const req = _buildHaTtsRequest(text, s);
+                await _ttsViaProxy(req);
+            } catch(e) { fallback(); }
+        // 3. Generic external endpoint ('server' or legacy 'custom' engine)
         } else if ((s.tts_engine === 'server' || s.tts_engine === 'custom') && s.tts_url) {
-            const req = _buildTtsRequest(text, s);
-            await _ttsViaProxy(req);
+            try {
+                const req = _buildTtsRequest(text, s);
+                await _ttsViaProxy(req);
+            } catch(e) { fallback(); }
         } else {
             _speakBrowser(text);
         }
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 0f3decc..f1d000f 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -1318,7 +1318,7 @@
                     <div id="tts-test-status" style="display:none;margin-top:8px"></div>
                     <!-- HA TTS quick-fill hint -->
                     <div style="margin-top:12px;padding:10px 12px;background:rgba(3,169,244,0.07);border:1px solid rgba(3,169,244,0.25);border-radius:8px;font-size:0.82rem">
-                        <span data-i18n="settings.tts.ha_hint">🏠 Se usi Home Assistant, usa il tab <strong>Home Assistant</strong> per configurare TTS, webhook e sensori.</span>
+                        <span data-i18n="settings.ha.ha_hint">🏠 Se usi Home Assistant, usa il tab <strong>Home Assistant</strong> per configurare TTS, webhook e sensori.</span>
                     </div>
                 </div>
             </div>