diff --git a/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/evdev_backend.py b/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/evdev_backend.py
index 26b201f..a17f83c 100644
--- a/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/evdev_backend.py
+++ b/src/vocalinux/ui/keyboard_backends/evdev_backend.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ KEY_LEFTSHIFT = 42
 KEY_RIGHTSHIFT = 54
 KEY_LEFTMETA = 125  # Super/Windows key
 KEY_RIGHTMETA = 126
+DEVICE_RESCAN_SECONDS = 2.0
 
 # Map modifier key names to evdev key codes
 MODIFIER_KEY_CODES: dict[str, set[int]] = {
@@ -151,6 +152,7 @@ class EvdevKeyboardBackend(KeyboardBackend):
         super().__init__(shortcut, mode)
         self.devices: list[InputDevice] = []
         self.device_fds: list[int] = []
+        self.device_paths: set[str] = set()
         self.running = False
         self.monitor_thread: Optional[threading.Thread] = None
 
@@ -161,6 +163,7 @@ class EvdevKeyboardBackend(KeyboardBackend):
 
         self._devices_lock = threading.Lock()
         self._dropped_devices: set[int] = set()  # fds with SYN_DROPPED pending
+        self._device_paths_by_fd: dict[int, str] = {}
 
         if not EVDEV_AVAILABLE:
             logger.error("python-evdev not available")
@@ -247,18 +250,13 @@ class EvdevKeyboardBackend(KeyboardBackend):
         # Open devices
         self.devices = []
         self.device_fds = []
+        self.device_paths = set()
         self.key_pressed_devices = set()
         self._dropped_devices = set()
+        self._device_paths_by_fd = {}
 
         for device_path in device_paths:
-            try:
-                device = InputDevice(device_path)
-                self.devices.append(device)
-                self.device_fds.append(device.fileno())
-                logger.debug(f"Opened keyboard device: {device_path} ({device.name})")
-            except (OSError, IOError) as e:
-                logger.warning(f"Cannot open {device_path}: {e}")
-                continue
+            self._open_keyboard_device(device_path)
 
         if not self.devices:
             logger.error("Failed to open any keyboard device (permission denied?)")
@@ -282,41 +280,127 @@ class EvdevKeyboardBackend(KeyboardBackend):
         self.running = False
         self.active = False
 
+        # Wait for monitor thread to finish before closing fds it may be selecting on.
+        if self.monitor_thread:
+            self.monitor_thread.join(timeout=2.0)
+            self.monitor_thread = None
+
         # Close devices
-        for device in self.devices:
+        with self._devices_lock:
+            devices = list(self.devices)
+            self.devices = []
+            self.device_fds = []
+            self.device_paths = set()
+            self._dropped_devices = set()
+            self._device_paths_by_fd = {}
+
+        for device in devices:
             try:
                 device.close()
             except Exception:
                 pass
 
-        self.devices = []
-        self.device_fds = []
+    def _open_keyboard_device(self, device_path: str) -> bool:
+        """Open a keyboard device if it is not already monitored."""
+        with self._devices_lock:
+            if device_path in self.device_paths:
+                return False
 
-        # Wait for monitor thread to finish
-        if self.monitor_thread:
-            self.monitor_thread.join(timeout=2.0)
-            self.monitor_thread = None
+        try:
+            device = InputDevice(device_path)
+            fd = device.fileno()
+        except (OSError, IOError) as e:
+            logger.warning(f"Cannot open {device_path}: {e}")
+            return False
+
+        with self._devices_lock:
+            if device_path in self.device_paths or fd in self.device_fds:
+                try:
+                    device.close()
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                return False
+
+            self.devices.append(device)
+            self.device_fds.append(fd)
+            self.device_paths.add(device_path)
+            self._device_paths_by_fd[fd] = device_path
+
+        logger.debug(f"Opened keyboard device: {device_path} ({device.name})")
+        return True
+
+    def _scan_for_new_devices(self) -> int:
+        """Find and open keyboard devices that appeared after startup."""
+        new_device_count = 0
+
+        try:
+            device_paths = find_keyboard_devices()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error rescanning keyboard devices: {e}")
+            return 0
+
+        for device_path in device_paths:
+            if self._open_keyboard_device(device_path):
+                new_device_count += 1
+
+        if new_device_count:
+            logger.info(f"Added {new_device_count} hotplugged keyboard device(s)")
+
+        return new_device_count
+
+    def _remove_keyboard_device(self, fd: int, device) -> None:
+        """Close and forget a disconnected keyboard device."""
+        try:
+            device.close()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+        with self._devices_lock:
+            try:
+                self.devices.remove(device)
+            except ValueError:
+                pass
+            try:
+                self.device_fds.remove(fd)
+            except ValueError:
+                pass
+            device_path = self._device_paths_by_fd.pop(fd, None)
+            if device_path is not None:
+                self.device_paths.discard(device_path)
+            self._dropped_devices.discard(fd)
+            self.key_pressed_devices.discard(id(device))
 
     def _monitor_devices(self) -> None:
         """Monitor keyboard devices for events."""
         logger.debug("Starting device monitor thread")
+        last_scan = time.monotonic()
 
         while self.running:
             try:
-                # Use select to wait for events on any device
-                if not self.device_fds:
-                    break
+                now = time.monotonic()
+                if now - last_scan >= DEVICE_RESCAN_SECONDS:
+                    self._scan_for_new_devices()
+                    last_scan = now
 
-                readable, _, _ = select.select(self.device_fds, [], [], 1.0)  # 1 second timeout
+                # Use select to wait for events on any device
+                with self._devices_lock:
+                    device_fds = list(self.device_fds)
+
+                if not device_fds:
+                    time.sleep(1.0)
+                    continue
+
+                readable, _, _ = select.select(device_fds, [], [], 1.0)  # 1 second timeout
 
                 for fd in readable:
                     try:
                         # Find the device for this fd
-                        device = None
-                        for d in self.devices:
-                            if d.fileno() == fd:
-                                device = d
-                                break
+                        with self._devices_lock:
+                            device = None
+                            for d in self.devices:
+                                if d.fileno() == fd:
+                                    device = d
+                                    break
 
                         if device is None:
                             continue
@@ -349,19 +433,7 @@ class EvdevKeyboardBackend(KeyboardBackend):
                         )
                         logger.info(f"Device disconnected: {device_name} (fd={fd})")
                         if device is not None:
-                            try:
-                                device.close()
-                            except Exception:
-                                pass
-                            try:
-                                with self._devices_lock:
-                                    self.devices.remove(device)
-                            except ValueError:
-                                pass
-                        if fd in self.device_fds:
-                            with self._devices_lock:
-                                self.device_fds.remove(fd)
-                        self._dropped_devices.discard(fd)
+                            self._remove_keyboard_device(fd, device)
                         continue
 
             except (OSError, ValueError) as e:
diff --git a/tests/test_evdev_backend_ext.py b/tests/test_evdev_backend_ext.py
index 8e173d9..49c810d 100644
--- a/tests/test_evdev_backend_ext.py
+++ b/tests/test_evdev_backend_ext.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock, Mock, mock_open, patch
 import pytest
 
 from vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend import (
+    DEVICE_RESCAN_SECONDS,
     EVDEV_AVAILABLE,
     MODIFIER_KEY_CODES,
     EvdevKeyboardBackend,
@@ -412,6 +413,22 @@ class TestEvdevKeyboardBackendStart:
         # Clean up
         backend.stop()
 
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.EVDEV_AVAILABLE", True)
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.find_keyboard_devices")
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.InputDevice")
+    def test_start_fails_when_devices_cannot_be_opened(self, mock_input_device, mock_find_devices):
+        """Test start fails when discovery finds devices but none can be opened."""
+        mock_find_devices.return_value = ["/dev/input/event0"]
+        mock_input_device.side_effect = OSError("permission denied")
+
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        result = backend.start()
+
+        assert result is False
+        assert backend.active is False
+        assert backend.devices == []
+        assert backend.device_fds == []
+
 
 class TestEvdevKeyboardBackendStop:
     """Test stop() method."""
@@ -444,6 +461,398 @@ class TestEvdevKeyboardBackendStop:
         assert backend.devices == []
         assert backend.device_fds == []
 
+    def test_stop_active_without_thread_handles_close_failure(self):
+        """Test active stop without a monitor thread still clears device state."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        mock_device = MagicMock()
+        mock_device.close.side_effect = RuntimeError("already closed")
+        backend.active = True
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = [mock_device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend.device_paths = {"/dev/input/event0"}
+        backend._dropped_devices = {10}
+        backend._device_paths_by_fd = {10: "/dev/input/event0"}
+
+        backend.stop()
+
+        assert backend.active is False
+        assert backend.running is False
+        assert backend.devices == []
+        assert backend.device_fds == []
+        assert backend.device_paths == set()
+        assert backend._dropped_devices == set()
+        assert backend._device_paths_by_fd == {}
+
+
+class TestEvdevKeyboardBackendHotplug:
+    """Test hotplug discovery for evdev keyboard devices."""
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.find_keyboard_devices")
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.InputDevice")
+    def test_scan_for_new_devices_opens_hotplugged_keyboard(
+        self, mock_input_device, mock_find_devices
+    ):
+        """Test that rescanning opens keyboard devices that appear after startup."""
+        existing_device = MagicMock()
+        existing_device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        new_device = MagicMock()
+        new_device.fileno.return_value = 11
+        new_device.name = "External Keyboard"
+        mock_input_device.return_value = new_device
+        mock_find_devices.return_value = ["/dev/input/event0", "/dev/input/event1"]
+
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.devices = [existing_device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend.device_paths = {"/dev/input/event0"}
+        backend._device_paths_by_fd = {10: "/dev/input/event0"}
+
+        added = backend._scan_for_new_devices()
+
+        assert added == 1
+        mock_input_device.assert_called_once_with("/dev/input/event1")
+        assert new_device in backend.devices
+        assert 11 in backend.device_fds
+        assert "/dev/input/event1" in backend.device_paths
+        assert backend._device_paths_by_fd[11] == "/dev/input/event1"
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.InputDevice")
+    def test_open_keyboard_device_skips_known_path(self, mock_input_device):
+        """Test opening a device already tracked by path is a no-op."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.device_paths = {"/dev/input/event0"}
+
+        opened = backend._open_keyboard_device("/dev/input/event0")
+
+        assert opened is False
+        mock_input_device.assert_not_called()
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.InputDevice")
+    def test_open_keyboard_device_handles_open_failure(self, mock_input_device):
+        """Test open failures leave backend device state unchanged."""
+        mock_input_device.side_effect = OSError("permission denied")
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+
+        opened = backend._open_keyboard_device("/dev/input/event7")
+
+        assert opened is False
+        assert backend.devices == []
+        assert backend.device_fds == []
+        assert backend.device_paths == set()
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.InputDevice")
+    def test_open_keyboard_device_closes_duplicate_fd(self, mock_input_device):
+        """Test a duplicate fd opened through a new path is discarded."""
+        duplicate_device = MagicMock()
+        duplicate_device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        duplicate_device.close.side_effect = RuntimeError("close failed")
+        mock_input_device.return_value = duplicate_device
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+
+        opened = backend._open_keyboard_device("/dev/input/event9")
+
+        assert opened is False
+        assert backend.devices == []
+        assert backend.device_paths == set()
+        duplicate_device.close.assert_called_once()
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.find_keyboard_devices")
+    def test_scan_for_new_devices_handles_discovery_failure(self, mock_find_devices):
+        """Test rescan failures do not stop the monitor loop."""
+        mock_find_devices.side_effect = RuntimeError("proc read failed")
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+
+        added = backend._scan_for_new_devices()
+
+        assert added == 0
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.find_keyboard_devices")
+    def test_scan_for_new_devices_no_new_devices(self, mock_find_devices):
+        """Test rescanning with only already-tracked paths returns zero."""
+        mock_find_devices.return_value = ["/dev/input/event0"]
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.device_paths = {"/dev/input/event0"}
+
+        added = backend._scan_for_new_devices()
+
+        assert added == 0
+
+    @patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.InputDevice")
+    def test_removed_device_path_can_be_reopened(self, mock_input_device):
+        """Test that disconnected device paths are forgotten for later replug."""
+        old_device = MagicMock()
+        old_device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        old_device.name = "External Keyboard"
+        new_device = MagicMock()
+        new_device.fileno.return_value = 12
+        new_device.name = "External Keyboard"
+        mock_input_device.return_value = new_device
+
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.devices = [old_device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend.device_paths = {"/dev/input/event4"}
+        backend._device_paths_by_fd = {10: "/dev/input/event4"}
+        backend.key_pressed_devices = {id(old_device)}
+
+        backend._remove_keyboard_device(10, old_device)
+
+        assert backend.devices == []
+        assert backend.device_fds == []
+        assert backend.device_paths == set()
+        assert backend.key_pressed_devices == set()
+        old_device.close.assert_called_once()
+
+        reopened = backend._open_keyboard_device("/dev/input/event4")
+
+        assert reopened is True
+        mock_input_device.assert_called_once_with("/dev/input/event4")
+        assert new_device in backend.devices
+        assert backend._device_paths_by_fd[12] == "/dev/input/event4"
+
+    def test_remove_keyboard_device_handles_stale_state(self):
+        """Test removing a device tolerates already-pruned backend state."""
+        stale_device = MagicMock()
+        stale_device.close.side_effect = RuntimeError("already closed")
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.devices = []
+        backend.device_fds = []
+        backend.device_paths = {"/dev/input/event8"}
+        backend._device_paths_by_fd = {}
+        backend._dropped_devices = {12}
+        backend.key_pressed_devices = {id(stale_device)}
+
+        backend._remove_keyboard_device(12, stale_device)
+
+        assert backend.device_paths == {"/dev/input/event8"}
+        assert backend._dropped_devices == set()
+        assert backend.key_pressed_devices == set()
+
+    def test_monitor_scans_when_all_devices_are_disconnected(self):
+        """Test that the monitor keeps rescanning after the last fd is removed."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.device_fds = []
+        backend._scan_for_new_devices = MagicMock(return_value=0)
+
+        def stop_after_sleep(seconds):
+            backend.running = False
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, DEVICE_RESCAN_SECONDS + 0.1],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.sleep",
+                side_effect=stop_after_sleep,
+            ),
+        ):
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+        backend._scan_for_new_devices.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_monitor_dispatches_events_from_readable_device(self):
+        """Test readable fds are resolved to devices and dispatched."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        device = MagicMock()
+        device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        device.read.return_value = [MagicMock(type=1, code=29, value=1)]
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = [device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend._handle_key_event = MagicMock(
+            side_effect=lambda event, device: setattr(backend, "running", False)
+        )
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                return_value=([10], [], []),
+            ),
+            patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.ecodes") as mock_ecodes,
+        ):
+            mock_ecodes.EV_SYN = 0
+            mock_ecodes.EV_KEY = 1
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+        backend._handle_key_event.assert_called_once()
+
+    def test_monitor_ignores_readable_fd_without_device(self):
+        """Test readable fds that no longer map to a device are ignored."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = []
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+
+        def select_unknown_fd(read_fds, write_fds, error_fds, timeout):
+            backend.running = False
+            return [10], [], []
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                side_effect=select_unknown_fd,
+            ),
+        ):
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+    def test_monitor_handles_syn_dropped_recovery(self):
+        """Test SYN_DROPPED state is cleared on the following SYN_REPORT."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        device = MagicMock()
+        device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        device.name = "External Keyboard"
+        dropped_event = MagicMock(type=0, code=3)
+        report_event = MagicMock(type=0, code=0)
+
+        def read_events():
+            backend.running = False
+            return [dropped_event, report_event]
+
+        device.read.side_effect = read_events
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = [device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend.key_pressed_devices = {id(device)}
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                return_value=([10], [], []),
+            ),
+            patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.ecodes") as mock_ecodes,
+        ):
+            mock_ecodes.EV_SYN = 0
+            mock_ecodes.SYN_DROPPED = 3
+            mock_ecodes.SYN_REPORT = 0
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+        assert backend._dropped_devices == set()
+        assert backend.key_pressed_devices == set()
+
+    def test_monitor_skips_events_while_device_is_dropped(self):
+        """Test key events are ignored while a device is in SYN_DROPPED state."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        device = MagicMock()
+        device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        key_event = MagicMock(type=1, code=29, value=1)
+
+        def read_events():
+            backend.running = False
+            return [key_event]
+
+        device.read.side_effect = read_events
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = [device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend._dropped_devices = {10}
+        backend._handle_key_event = MagicMock()
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                return_value=([10], [], []),
+            ),
+            patch("vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.ecodes") as mock_ecodes,
+        ):
+            mock_ecodes.EV_SYN = 0
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+        backend._handle_key_event.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_monitor_removes_device_on_read_error(self):
+        """Test disconnected devices are removed from the monitor loop."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        device = MagicMock()
+        device.fileno.return_value = 10
+        device.name = "External Keyboard"
+        device.read.side_effect = OSError("device removed")
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = [device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend._remove_keyboard_device = MagicMock(
+            side_effect=lambda fd, device: setattr(backend, "running", False)
+        )
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                return_value=([10], [], []),
+            ),
+        ):
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+        backend._remove_keyboard_device.assert_called_once_with(10, device)
+
+    def test_monitor_handles_fd_lookup_error(self):
+        """Test fd lookup errors do not try to remove an unknown device."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        device = MagicMock()
+        device.fileno.side_effect = OSError("bad fd")
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.devices = [device]
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+        backend._remove_keyboard_device = MagicMock()
+
+        def select_bad_fd(read_fds, write_fds, error_fds, timeout):
+            backend.running = False
+            return [10], [], []
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                side_effect=select_bad_fd,
+            ),
+        ):
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
+        backend._remove_keyboard_device.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_monitor_stops_on_select_error(self):
+        """Test select errors stop the monitor loop."""
+        backend = EvdevKeyboardBackend()
+        backend.running = True
+        backend.device_fds = [10]
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.time.monotonic",
+                side_effect=[0.0, 0.0],
+            ),
+            patch(
+                "vocalinux.ui.keyboard_backends.evdev_backend.select.select",
+                side_effect=OSError("select failed"),
+            ),
+        ):
+            backend._monitor_devices()
+
 
 class TestEvdevKeyboardBackendHandleKeyEvent:
     """Test _handle_key_event() method."""