diff --git a/Commons/Settings.qml b/Commons/Settings.qml
index 07e1af477..bff2f7863 100644
--- a/Commons/Settings.qml
+++ b/Commons/Settings.qml
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ Singleton {
   readonly property string defaultVideosDirectory: Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/Videos"
   readonly property string defaultWallpapersDirectory: Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/Pictures/Wallpapers"
 
-  // Signal emitted when settings are loaded after startupcale changes
   signal settingsLoaded
   signal settingsSaved
+  signal settingsReloaded
 
   // -----------------------------------------------------
   // -----------------------------------------------------
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ Singleton {
         root.settingsLoaded();
 
         upgradeSettings();
+      } else {
+        Logger.d("Settings", "Settings reloaded from external file change");
+        root.settingsReloaded();
       }
     }
     onLoadFailed: function (error) {
diff --git a/Services/UI/BarService.qml b/Services/UI/BarService.qml
index be26289d8..31d27ca97 100644
--- a/Services/UI/BarService.qml
+++ b/Services/UI/BarService.qml
@@ -143,6 +143,16 @@ Singleton {
     Logger.i("BarService", "Service started");
   }
 
+  // Bump widgetsRevision when settings are reloaded from an external file change
+  // so Bar.qml re-syncs its widget ListModels with the updated widget configuration
+  Connections {
+    target: Settings
+    function onSettingsReloaded() {
+      Logger.d("BarService", "Settings reloaded externally, bumping widgetsRevision");
+      root.widgetsRevision++;
+    }
+  }
+
   // update bar's hidden state when mode changes
   Connections {
     target: Settings.data.bar