diff --git a/src/components/MoodMusic.jsx b/src/components/MoodMusic.jsx
index d917b06..5d76936 100644
--- a/src/components/MoodMusic.jsx
+++ b/src/components/MoodMusic.jsx
@@ -40,12 +40,11 @@ export default function MoodMusic() {
       });
   }, []);
 
-  // Create audio element on mount
+  // Create audio element on mount (volume handled by separate effect)
   useEffect(() => {
     const audio = new Audio();
     audio.preload = 'auto';
     audio.loop = true;
-    audio.volume = volume;
     audioRef.current = audio;
     return () => {
       if (fadeTimeoutRef.current) clearTimeout(fadeTimeoutRef.current);
@@ -54,13 +53,22 @@ export default function MoodMusic() {
     };
   }, []);
 
-  // Update volume when it changes
+  // Set initial volume on mount, then update whenever volume changes
   useEffect(() => {
     if (audioRef.current) {
       audioRef.current.volume = volume;
     }
   }, [volume]);
 
+  const stopPlayback = useCallback(() => {
+    if (audioRef.current) {
+      audioRef.current.pause();
+      audioRef.current.src = '';
+    }
+    setActiveMood(null);
+    setNowPlaying('');
+  }, []);
+
   const playMood = useCallback((track) => {
     if (!track || !audioRef.current) return;
 
@@ -111,16 +119,7 @@ export default function MoodMusic() {
       setActiveMood(track.mood);
       setNowPlaying(track.title);
     }
-  }, [activeMood, volume]);
-
-  const stopPlayback = useCallback(() => {
-    if (audioRef.current) {
-      audioRef.current.pause();
-      audioRef.current.src = '';
-    }
-    setActiveMood(null);
-    setNowPlaying('');
-  }, []);
+  }, [activeMood, volume, stopPlayback]);
 
   if (loading) {
     return (