diff --git a/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/check_balloon_pnp_device.ps1 b/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/check_balloon_pnp_device.ps1
index d7af33ac..b9876500 100644
--- a/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/check_balloon_pnp_device.ps1
+++ b/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/check_balloon_pnp_device.ps1
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ if (-not $d) {
     throw 'Balloon PnP device (VEN_1AF4 DEV_1002/1045) not found in device list'
 }
 
-if ($d.Status -eq 'Error') {
-    throw 'Balloon device found but in Error state: ' + $d.ConfigManagerErrorCode
+if ($d.Status -ne 'OK') {
+    throw "Balloon device found but not in OK state: $($d.Status) (Error code: $($d.ConfigManagerErrorCode))"
 }
 
 Write-Output "PASS: Balloon device found - $($d.FriendlyName) [$($d.Status)]"
diff --git a/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/verify_balloon_service.ps1 b/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/verify_balloon_service.ps1
index ce4179f4..3dd8f7dc 100644
--- a/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/verify_balloon_service.ps1
+++ b/lib/engines/functest/tests/scripts/balloon/verify_balloon_service.ps1
@@ -15,4 +15,8 @@ if ($svc.Status -ne 'Running') {
 }
 
 $svc = Get-Service BalloonService
+if ($svc.Status -ne 'Running') {
+    throw "BalloonService did not reach Running state (current: $($svc.Status))"
+}
+
 Write-Output "PASS: BalloonService is $($svc.Status)"