diff --git a/services/monero/xmrig-auto-pause.nix b/services/monero/xmrig-auto-pause.nix
index 758353b..3c0190c 100644
--- a/services/monero/xmrig-auto-pause.nix
+++ b/services/monero/xmrig-auto-pause.nix
@@ -26,8 +26,11 @@ lib.mkIf config.services.xmrig.enable {
     environment = {
       POLL_INTERVAL = "3";
       GRACE_PERIOD = "15";
-      CPU_STOP_THRESHOLD = "15";
-      CPU_RESUME_THRESHOLD = "5";
+      # This server's background services (qbittorrent, monero, bazarr, etc.)
+      # produce 5-14% non-nice CPU during normal operation. Thresholds must
+      # sit above that noise floor.
+      CPU_STOP_THRESHOLD = "40";
+      CPU_RESUME_THRESHOLD = "30";
       STARTUP_COOLDOWN = "10";
       STATE_DIR = "/var/lib/xmrig-auto-pause";
     };