diff --git a/backend/src/utilities/bridge_link_state_manager.py b/backend/src/utilities/bridge_link_state_manager.py
index 38a902a..98cc101 100644
--- a/backend/src/utilities/bridge_link_state_manager.py
+++ b/backend/src/utilities/bridge_link_state_manager.py
@@ -552,58 +552,87 @@ class BridgeLinkStateWatcher:
         if source_profile is None or target_profile is None or source_profile == target_profile:
             return None
 
-        cmd = [_ETHTOOL_BIN, "-s", target_ifname]
         change_summary: Optional[str] = None
+        commands: list[tuple[list[str], str]] = []
         if source_profile.autoneg is True:
             if source_profile.speed_mbps is not None and source_profile.duplex is not None:
                 # A remote peer can pull this port down to a lower negotiated speed while autoneg
                 # stays enabled locally. Mirror that effective mode while keeping autoneg enabled
                 # on the sibling so its far-end peer can still negotiate successfully.
-                cmd.extend(
+                commands.append(
+                    (
+                        [
+                            _ETHTOOL_BIN,
+                            "-s",
+                            target_ifname,
+                            "speed",
+                            str(source_profile.speed_mbps),
+                            "duplex",
+                            source_profile.duplex,
+                            "autoneg",
+                            "on",
+                        ],
+                        (
+                            f"{target_ifname} link={source_profile.speed_mbps}Mb/"
+                            f"{source_profile.duplex}/autoneg-on"
+                        ),
+                    )
+                )
+            else:
+                commands.append(([_ETHTOOL_BIN, "-s", target_ifname, "autoneg", "on"], f"{target_ifname} link=autoneg-on"))
+        elif source_profile.autoneg is False and source_profile.speed_mbps is not None and source_profile.duplex is not None:
+            # Do not force autoneg off on sibling ports. The far-end peer on that segment may
+            # still rely on autoneg, and forcing a fixed mode here can leave the link down.
+            commands.append(
+                (
                     [
+                        _ETHTOOL_BIN,
+                        "-s",
+                        target_ifname,
                         "speed",
                         str(source_profile.speed_mbps),
                         "duplex",
                         source_profile.duplex,
                         "autoneg",
                         "on",
-                    ]
+                    ],
+                    (
+                        f"{target_ifname} link={source_profile.speed_mbps}Mb/"
+                        f"{source_profile.duplex}/autoneg-on-safe"
+                    ),
                 )
-                change_summary = (
-                    f"{target_ifname} link={source_profile.speed_mbps}Mb/"
-                    f"{source_profile.duplex}/autoneg-on"
-                )
-            else:
-                cmd.extend(["autoneg", "on"])
-                change_summary = f"{target_ifname} link=autoneg-on"
-        elif source_profile.autoneg is False and source_profile.speed_mbps is not None and source_profile.duplex is not None:
-            cmd.extend(
-                [
-                    "speed",
-                    str(source_profile.speed_mbps),
-                    "duplex",
-                    source_profile.duplex,
-                    "autoneg",
-                    "off",
-                ]
             )
-            change_summary = (
-                f"{target_ifname} link={source_profile.speed_mbps}Mb/"
-                f"{source_profile.duplex}/autoneg-off"
+            commands.append(
+                (
+                    [_ETHTOOL_BIN, "-s", target_ifname, "autoneg", "on"],
+                    f"{target_ifname} link=autoneg-on-safe",
+                )
             )
         else:
             return None
 
-        try:
-            subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
-        except (FileNotFoundError, subprocess.CalledProcessError) as exc:
-            logger.debug(
-                "Failed to synchronize ethtool profile from %s to %s on bridge=%s: %s",
-                source_ifname,
-                target_ifname,
-                self.bridge_name,
-                exc,
-            )
+        last_error: Optional[Exception] = None
+        for cmd, summary in commands:
+            try:
+                subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, check=True)
+                change_summary = summary
+                break
+            except (FileNotFoundError, subprocess.CalledProcessError) as exc:
+                last_error = exc
+                logger.debug(
+                    "Failed to synchronize ethtool profile from %s to %s on bridge=%s with %s: %s",
+                    source_ifname,
+                    target_ifname,
+                    self.bridge_name,
+                    cmd,
+                    exc,
+                )
+
+        if change_summary is None:
+            if last_error is not None:
+                self._set_last_action(
+                    f"failed to sync link profile from {source_ifname} to {target_ifname}: {last_error}"
+                )
             return None
 
         self._mark_managed_change(target_ifname)
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Network.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/Network.tsx
index db4e8f5..682d224 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Network.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Network.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { DeleteOutlined, PlusOutlined, ReloadOutlined } from '@ant-design/icons';
+import { DeleteOutlined, RedoOutlined, PlusOutlined, ReloadOutlined } from '@ant-design/icons';
 import {
   Button,
   Card,
@@ -242,7 +242,12 @@ export default function Network() {
             okText="Reset"
             cancelText="Cancel"
           >
-            <Button loading={resetBusyInterface === record.name}>Reset defaults</Button>
+            <Button
+              icon={<RedoOutlined />}
+              loading={resetBusyInterface === record.name}
+              aria-label={`Reset ${record.name} to defaults`}
+              title={`Reset ${record.name} to defaults`}
+            />
           </Popconfirm>
         ),
       },