diff --git a/ui/hud_overlay.py b/ui/hud_overlay.py
index 0be2a07..40150a1 100644
--- a/ui/hud_overlay.py
+++ b/ui/hud_overlay.py
@@ -495,6 +495,13 @@ class HUDOverlay(QWidget):
         WS_EX_TRANSPARENT = 0x00000020
         WS_EX_LAYERED = 0x00080000
         
+        # Window refresh flags
+        SWP_FRAMECHANGED = 0x0020
+        SWP_NOMOVE = 0x0002
+        SWP_NOSIZE = 0x0001
+        SWP_NOZORDER = 0x0004
+        SWP_SHOWWINDOW = 0x0040
+        
         try:
             hwnd = self.winId().__int__()
             
@@ -507,6 +514,12 @@ class HUDOverlay(QWidget):
                 style &= ~(WS_EX_TRANSPARENT | WS_EX_LAYERED)
             
             ctypes.windll.user32.SetWindowLongW(hwnd, GWL_EXSTYLE, style)
+            
+            # Refresh the window to apply style changes
+            ctypes.windll.user32.SetWindowPos(
+                hwnd, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                SWP_NOMOVE | SWP_NOSIZE | SWP_NOZORDER | SWP_FRAMECHANGED | SWP_SHOWWINDOW
+            )
         except Exception:
             # Fallback to Qt method if WinAPI fails
             self.setAttribute(Qt.WidgetAttribute.WA_TransparentForMouseEvents, enabled)
diff --git a/ui/main_window.py b/ui/main_window.py
index fed851d..13459d1 100644
--- a/ui/main_window.py
+++ b/ui/main_window.py
@@ -891,8 +891,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.log_info("Session", f"Started session for project: {project.name}")
         self.session_info_label.setText(f"Session active: {project.name}")
         
-        # Show HUD
+        # Show HUD and start session tracking
         self.hud.show()
+        self.hud.start_session(weapon="Unknown", loadout="Default")
+        self.log_info("HUD", "HUD overlay shown and session tracking started")
     
     def on_start_session(self):
         """Handle start session button."""