diff --git a/quickshell/services/LockscreenService.qml b/quickshell/services/LockscreenService.qml
index f93c974..60bd8ea 100644
--- a/quickshell/services/LockscreenService.qml
+++ b/quickshell/services/LockscreenService.qml
@@ -100,11 +100,13 @@ Item {
     Process {
         id: disableEffectsProc
         command: ["bash", "-c", "qdbus6 org.kde.KWin /Effects org.kde.kwin.Effects.unloadEffect overview 2>/dev/null; qdbus6 org.kde.KWin /Effects org.kde.kwin.Effects.unloadEffect grid 2>/dev/null; qdbus6 org.kde.KWin /Effects org.kde.kwin.Effects.unloadEffect presentwindows 2>/dev/null"]
+        onExited: running = false
     }
 
     Process {
         id: enableEffectsProc
         command: ["bash", "-c", "qdbus6 org.kde.KWin /Effects org.kde.kwin.Effects.loadEffect overview 2>/dev/null; qdbus6 org.kde.KWin /Effects org.kde.kwin.Effects.loadEffect grid 2>/dev/null; qdbus6 org.kde.KWin /Effects org.kde.kwin.Effects.loadEffect presentwindows 2>/dev/null"]
+        onExited: running = false
     }
 
     function appendChar(ch) {
diff --git a/quickshell/services/python/save_wallpaper.py b/quickshell/services/python/save_wallpaper.py
index 9a562c7..a49d74a 100755
--- a/quickshell/services/python/save_wallpaper.py
+++ b/quickshell/services/python/save_wallpaper.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def save_wallpaper():
     try:
         import subprocess
         file_url = wp_path if wp_path.startswith("file://") else f"file://{wp_path}"
-        subprocess.run(["kwriteconfig6", "--file", "kscreenlockerrc", "--group", "Greeter", "--group", "Wallpaper", "--group", "org.kde.image", "--group", "General", "--key", "Image", file_url], capture_output=True)
+        subprocess.run(["kwriteconfig6", "--file", "kscreenlockerrc", "--group", "Greeter", "--group", "Wallpaper", "--group", "org.kde.image", "--group", "General", "--key", "Image", file_url], capture_output=True, timeout=2)
     except Exception:
         pass
 
diff --git a/quickshell/services/python/theme_sync.py b/quickshell/services/python/theme_sync.py
index a78d12c..1ff6a7b 100644
--- a/quickshell/services/python/theme_sync.py
+++ b/quickshell/services/python/theme_sync.py
@@ -2161,12 +2161,15 @@ def sync_papirus_folders(variant_name, accent="#ff79c6", sub_accent="#bd93f9"):
         else:
             chosen_color = "blue"
 
-    # Execute papirus-folders for all installed Papirus theme variants
-    for theme_name in ["Papirus", "Papirus-Dark", "Papirus-Light"]:
-        try:
-            subprocess.run(["papirus-folders", "-C", chosen_color, "-t", theme_name, "-u"], capture_output=True)
-        except Exception:
-            pass
+    # Execute papirus-folders asynchronously in background thread to prevent blocking theme engine
+    def run_papirus():
+        for theme_name in ["Papirus", "Papirus-Dark", "Papirus-Light"]:
+            try:
+                subprocess.run(["papirus-folders", "-C", chosen_color, "-t", theme_name, "-u"], capture_output=True, timeout=5)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+    import threading
+    threading.Thread(target=run_papirus, daemon=True).start()
 
 def main():
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()