diff --git a/start_server.sh b/start_server.sh
index 9dafc21f..9b1a867f 100755
--- a/start_server.sh
+++ b/start_server.sh
@@ -17,11 +17,28 @@ fi
 
 echo "🚀 Starting TFM aInventory Stack with Dual Proxy..."
 
-# 1. Kill potentially hanging processes
-echo "Sweep: Cleaning up old processes..."
-pkill -f "uvicorn" || true
-pkill -f "next-server" || true
-pkill -f "local-ssl-proxy" || true
+# 1. COMPREHENSIVE process cleanup - ensure absolute clean state
+echo "Sweep: Comprehensive process cleanup..."
+
+# Kill all known hanging processes
+pkill -9 -f "uvicorn" 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -9 -f "next-server" 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -9 -f "local-ssl-proxy" 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -9 -f "python.*backend" 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -9 -f "python.*main:app" 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -9 -f "npm run dev" 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -9 -f "node.*next" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+# Kill any remaining Python processes on port 8000 (backend)
+fuser -k 8000/tcp 2>/dev/null || true
+fuser -k 3001/tcp 2>/dev/null || true
+fuser -k 3002/tcp 2>/dev/null || true
+fuser -k 3003/tcp 2>/dev/null || true
+
+# Extra wait to ensure processes are fully dead
+sleep 1
+
+echo "✅ Cleanup complete - all processes terminated"
 
 # 2. Setup/Activate Virtual Environment
 if [ ! -f ".venv/bin/activate" ]; then