diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp_idf.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp_idf.cpp
index dc8d7bab4a9..594f7495c47 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp_idf.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp_idf.cpp
@@ -717,6 +717,10 @@ const char *get_disconnect_reason_str(uint8_t reason) {
 }
 
 void WiFiComponent::wifi_loop_() {
+  // Fast path: skip dropped count check and pop loop when queue is empty
+  if (this->event_queue_.empty())
+    return;
+
   uint16_t dropped = this->event_queue_.get_and_reset_dropped_count();
   if (dropped > 0) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Dropped %u WiFi events due to buffer overflow", dropped);
diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_libretiny.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_libretiny.cpp
index 479030d4424..946d1ca50dd 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_libretiny.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_libretiny.cpp
@@ -778,7 +778,10 @@ network::IPAddress WiFiComponent::wifi_subnet_mask_() { return {WiFi.subnetMask(
 network::IPAddress WiFiComponent::wifi_gateway_ip_() { return {WiFi.gatewayIP()}; }
 network::IPAddress WiFiComponent::wifi_dns_ip_(int num) { return {WiFi.dnsIP(num)}; }
 void WiFiComponent::wifi_loop_() {
-  // Check for dropped events due to queue overflow
+  // Fast path: skip dropped count check and pop loop when queue is empty
+  if (this->event_queue_.empty())
+    return;
+
   uint16_t dropped = this->event_queue_.get_and_reset_dropped_count();
   if (dropped > 0) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Dropped %" PRIu16 " WiFi events due to buffer overflow", dropped);