diff --git a/conversations.php b/conversations.php
index d111470..59ac3fb 100644
--- a/conversations.php
+++ b/conversations.php
@@ -3678,7 +3678,25 @@
                         el.style.borderRadius = '20px';
                         el.style.boxShadow = '0 6px 18px rgba(2,6,23,0.12)';
                         el.style.cursor = 'pointer';
-                        el.onclick = () => this.applyStagedMessages();
+                        el.onclick = async () => {
+                            try {
+                                // Hide indicator immediately and suspend auto-refresh to avoid races
+                                this.hideNewMessagesIndicator();
+                                this._suspendAutoRefresh = true;
+                                if (this.currentUserId) {
+                                    // Trigger a full load and follow to bottom
+                                    await this.loadMessages(this.currentUserId, true, true);
+                                }
+                                // Clear staged messages since full load will include them
+                                this._stagedMessages = [];
+                                if (this._stagedMessageIds) this._stagedMessageIds.clear();
+                                this._stagedCount = 0;
+                            } catch (e) {
+                                console.warn('Indicator click failed to load full conversation', e);
+                            } finally {
+                                try { this._suspendAutoRefresh = false; } catch(e) {}
+                            }
+                        };
                         // subtle fade-in
                         el.style.opacity = '0';
                         el.style.transition = 'opacity 220ms ease, transform 220ms ease';