diff --git a/esphome/components/captive_portal/captive_portal.cpp b/esphome/components/captive_portal/captive_portal.cpp
index 0ad06d49adc..2c0ef86fa94 100644
--- a/esphome/components/captive_portal/captive_portal.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/captive_portal/captive_portal.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,8 @@ void CaptivePortal::handle_wifisave(AsyncWebServerRequest *request) {
   ESP_LOGI(TAG, "  SSID='%s'", ssid.c_str());
   ESP_LOGI(TAG, "  Password=" LOG_SECRET("'%s'"), psk.c_str());
   wifi::global_wifi_component->save_wifi_sta(ssid, psk);
-  wifi::global_wifi_component->start_scanning();
+  // Don't call start_scanning() from HTTP thread - WiFi operations must happen on main loop
+  // The force_scan_after_provision_ flag will trigger scan on next retry cycle
   request->redirect(ESPHOME_F("/?save"));
 }