diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue
index 77ba6832..1a02d722 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/Dashboard.vue
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@
       aria-hidden="true"
     />
 
-    <!-- Background overlay - uniform 0.2 opacity -->
+    <!-- Background overlay. The web5/server backdrop is a much lighter image
+         than the others, so it gets a heavier scrim for text contrast. -->
     <div
-      class="fixed inset-0 pointer-events-none bg-black/20"
+      class="fixed inset-0 pointer-events-none bg-black transition-opacity duration-500"
+      :class="isWeb5Bg ? 'opacity-[0.45]' : 'opacity-20'"
       style="z-index: -5;"
     />
 
@@ -190,6 +192,10 @@ const backgroundImage = computed(() => {
   return 'bg-home.webp'
 })
 
+// bg-web5.jpg (web5 + server sections) is bright — the scrim overlay deepens
+// while it's showing so light text keeps its contrast.
+const isWeb5Bg = computed(() => backgroundImage.value === 'bg-web5.jpg')
+
 const isDarkRoute = computed(() => {
   const p = route.path
   return p.includes('/dashboard/web5') ||