diff --git a/backend/app/services/campaign_service.py b/backend/app/services/campaign_service.py
index cfb4b02..e1b27c7 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/campaign_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/campaign_service.py
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ def generate_campaign_from_threat_actor(
             tool_used=template.tool_suggested,
             created_by=user.id,
             state=TestState.draft,
+            created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
         )
         db.add(test)
         db.flush()  # Get test.id
diff --git a/backend/app/services/metrics_query_service.py b/backend/app/services/metrics_query_service.py
index 932e433..cb7f711 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/metrics_query_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/metrics_query_service.py
@@ -232,10 +232,11 @@ def get_validation_rate(db: Session) -> list[ValidationRate]:
 
 def get_recent_tests(db: Session, *, limit: int = 10) -> list[RecentTestItem]:
     """Return the most recently created tests."""
+    from sqlalchemy import nullslast
     tests = (
         db.query(Test)
         .options(joinedload(Test.technique))
-        .order_by(Test.created_at.desc())
+        .order_by(nullslast(Test.created_at.desc()))
         .limit(limit)
         .all()
     )
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
index 521fc21..a90bc08 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
@@ -87,25 +87,29 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
     queryFn: getCoverageByTactic,
   });
 
-  // V2 queries
-  const { data: pipeline, isLoading: pipelineLoading } = useQuery({
+  // V2 queries — retry:2 so transient failures don't leave widgets blank
+  const { data: pipeline, isLoading: pipelineLoading, isError: pipelineError } = useQuery({
     queryKey: ["metrics", "test-pipeline"],
     queryFn: getTestPipeline,
+    retry: 2,
   });
 
-  const { data: teamActivity, isLoading: teamLoading } = useQuery({
+  const { data: teamActivity, isLoading: teamLoading, isError: teamError } = useQuery({
     queryKey: ["metrics", "team-activity"],
     queryFn: getTeamActivity,
+    retry: 2,
   });
 
-  const { data: validationRates, isLoading: validationLoading } = useQuery({
+  const { data: validationRates, isLoading: validationLoading, isError: validationError } = useQuery({
     queryKey: ["metrics", "validation-rate"],
     queryFn: getValidationRate,
+    retry: 2,
   });
 
-  const { data: recentTests, isLoading: recentLoading } = useQuery({
+  const { data: recentTests, isLoading: recentLoading, isError: recentError } = useQuery({
     queryKey: ["metrics", "recent-tests"],
     queryFn: getRecentTests,
+    retry: 2,
   });
 
   const { data: coverageEvolution, isLoading: evolutionLoading } = useQuery({
@@ -287,6 +291,8 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
           <div className="flex items-center justify-center py-8">
             <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin text-cyan-400" />
           </div>
+        ) : pipelineError ? (
+          <p className="py-8 text-center text-sm text-gray-500">Could not load pipeline data.</p>
         ) : pipeline ? (
           <PipelineFunnel pipeline={pipeline} />
         ) : null}
@@ -305,6 +311,8 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
             <div className="flex items-center justify-center py-8">
               <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin text-cyan-400" />
             </div>
+          ) : teamError ? (
+            <p className="py-8 text-center text-sm text-gray-500">Could not load team activity.</p>
           ) : teamActivity ? (
             <div className="space-y-4">
               {teamActivity.map((team: TeamActivityItem) => {
@@ -355,6 +363,8 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
             <div className="flex items-center justify-center py-8">
               <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin text-cyan-400" />
             </div>
+          ) : validationError ? (
+            <p className="py-8 text-center text-sm text-gray-500">Could not load validation data.</p>
           ) : validationRates ? (
             <div className="space-y-4">
               {validationRates.map((rate: ValidationRateItem) => {
@@ -419,6 +429,8 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
           <div className="flex items-center justify-center py-8">
             <Loader2 className="h-6 w-6 animate-spin text-cyan-400" />
           </div>
+        ) : recentError ? (
+          <p className="py-8 text-center text-sm text-gray-500">Could not load recent tests — refresh the page.</p>
         ) : recentTests && recentTests.length > 0 ? (
           <div className="overflow-x-auto">
             <table className="w-full text-left text-sm">