diff --git a/static/app.css b/static/app.css
index 603c937..8ca4b2d 100644
--- a/static/app.css
+++ b/static/app.css
@@ -314,4 +314,32 @@ footer {
 
 .locked { background-color:#eee; }
 
-.unlocked { background-color: #fff3cd; }
\ No newline at end of file
+.unlocked { background-color: #fff3cd; }
+
+
+
+/* full-screen semi-transparent backdrop */
+#fullscreen-loader {
+  position: fixed;
+  top: 0; left: 0;
+  width: 100vw; height: 100vh;
+  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  z-index: 9999; /* ensure it’s on top */
+}
+
+/* your spinner graphic */
+.loader {
+  border: 4px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
+  border-top-color: #fff;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  width: 40px;
+  height: 40px;
+  animation: spin 1s linear infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes spin {
+  to { transform: rotate(360deg); }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/static/app.js b/static/app.js
index 37fed4c..82c2931 100644
--- a/static/app.js
+++ b/static/app.js
@@ -192,13 +192,27 @@ function renderContent(data) {
   attachEventListeners();
 }
 
+// Helper function to show the spinner
+function showSpinner() {
+  const overlay = document.getElementById('fullscreen-loader');
+  if (overlay) overlay.style.display = 'flex';
+}
+
+function hideSpinner() {
+  const overlay = document.getElementById('fullscreen-loader');
+  if (overlay) overlay.style.display = 'none';
+}
+
 // Fetch directory data from the API.
 function loadDirectory(subpath) {
+  const spinnerTimer = setTimeout(showSpinner, 500);
   const encodedPath = encodeSubpath(subpath);
   const apiUrl = '/api/path/' + encodedPath;
   return fetch(apiUrl)
     .then(response => response.json())
     .then(data => {
+      clearTimeout(spinnerTimer);
+      hideSpinner();
       renderContent(data);
       if (data.playfile) {
         const playFileLink = document.querySelector(`.play-file[data-url="${data.playfile}"]`);
@@ -210,6 +224,8 @@ function loadDirectory(subpath) {
       return data; // return data for further chaining
     })
     .catch(error => {
+      clearTimeout(spinnerTimer);
+      hideSpinner();
       console.error('Error loading directory:', error);
       document.getElementById('content').innerHTML = `<p>Error loading directory!</p><p>${error}</p>`;
       throw error; // Propagate the error
@@ -282,8 +298,6 @@ document.querySelectorAll('.play-file').forEach(link => {
       // Delay preloading to avoid blocking playback.
       setTimeout(preload_audio, 1000);
         
-
-
     } else if (fileType === 'image') {
       // Open the gallery modal for image files.
       openGalleryModal(relUrl);
diff --git a/static/audioplayer.js b/static/audioplayer.js
index 219e1d1..5b920c2 100644
--- a/static/audioplayer.js
+++ b/static/audioplayer.js
@@ -140,7 +140,8 @@ async function startPlaying(relUrl) {
       const loaderTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
         playerButton.innerHTML = playIcon;
         nowPlayingInfo.textContent = "Wird geladen...";
-      }, 500);
+      }, 250);
+      const spinnerTimer = setTimeout(showSpinner, 500);
       
       footer.style.display = 'flex';
 
@@ -171,6 +172,8 @@ async function startPlaying(relUrl) {
         audioPlayer.src = mediaUrl;
         audioPlayer.load();
         await audioPlayer.play();
+        clearTimeout(spinnerTimer);
+        hideSpinner();
         currentTrackPath = relUrl;
         playerButton.innerHTML = pauseIcon;
 
diff --git a/templates/app.html b/templates/app.html
index 1eb2bec..820facd 100644
--- a/templates/app.html
+++ b/templates/app.html
@@ -238,6 +238,10 @@
     <div id="gallery-loader"></div>
   </div>
 
+  <div id="fullscreen-loader" style="display: none;">
+    <div class="loader"></div>
+  </div>
+
   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.0/dist/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js"></script>
 
   <!-- Load main app JS first, then gallery JS -->