diff --git a/weed/admin/topology/task_management.go b/weed/admin/topology/task_management.go
index 3710b06ab..5fad4eda6 100644
--- a/weed/admin/topology/task_management.go
+++ b/weed/admin/topology/task_management.go
@@ -272,6 +272,40 @@ func (at *ActiveTopology) HasAnyTask(volumeID uint32) bool {
 	return at.HasTask(volumeID, TaskTypeNone)
 }
 
+// GetTaskServerAdjustments returns per-server volume count adjustments for
+// pending and assigned tasks of the given type. For each task, source servers
+// are decremented and destination servers are incremented, reflecting the
+// projected volume distribution once in-flight tasks complete.
+func (at *ActiveTopology) GetTaskServerAdjustments(taskType TaskType) map[string]int {
+	at.mutex.RLock()
+	defer at.mutex.RUnlock()
+
+	adjustments := make(map[string]int)
+	for _, task := range at.pendingTasks {
+		if task.TaskType != taskType {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, src := range task.Sources {
+			adjustments[src.SourceServer]--
+		}
+		for _, dst := range task.Destinations {
+			adjustments[dst.TargetServer]++
+		}
+	}
+	for _, task := range at.assignedTasks {
+		if task.TaskType != taskType {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, src := range task.Sources {
+			adjustments[src.SourceServer]--
+		}
+		for _, dst := range task.Destinations {
+			adjustments[dst.TargetServer]++
+		}
+	}
+	return adjustments
+}
+
 // calculateSourceStorageImpact calculates storage impact for sources based on task type and cleanup type
 func (at *ActiveTopology) calculateSourceStorageImpact(taskType TaskType, cleanupType SourceCleanupType, volumeSize int64) StorageSlotChange {
 	switch taskType {
diff --git a/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection.go b/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection.go
index 71643d5e6..313ff1ca9 100644
--- a/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection.go
+++ b/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection.go
@@ -106,8 +106,15 @@ func detectForDiskType(diskType string, diskMetrics []*types.VolumeHealthMetrics
 		return nil, false
 	}
 
-	// Track effective adjustments as we plan moves in this detection run
-	adjustments := make(map[string]int)
+	// Seed adjustments from existing pending/assigned balance tasks so that
+	// effectiveCounts reflects in-flight moves and prevents over-scheduling.
+	var adjustments map[string]int
+	if clusterInfo.ActiveTopology != nil {
+		adjustments = clusterInfo.ActiveTopology.GetTaskServerAdjustments(topology.TaskTypeBalance)
+	}
+	if adjustments == nil {
+		adjustments = make(map[string]int)
+	}
 	// Servers where we can no longer find eligible volumes or plan destinations
 	exhaustedServers := make(map[string]bool)
 
diff --git a/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection_test.go b/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection_test.go
index 57b3e9340..344c63f04 100644
--- a/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection_test.go
+++ b/weed/worker/tasks/balance/detection_test.go
@@ -576,13 +576,14 @@ func TestDetection_SkipsPreExistingPendingTasks(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// With 15 of 20 volumes on node-a already having pending tasks, only
-	// volumes 16-20 are eligible. Detection should produce at most 5 new tasks.
+	// With 15 pending A→B moves, effective counts are A=5, B=20.
+	// Detection sees B as overloaded and may plan moves from B (5 volumes).
+	// Should produce a reasonable number of tasks without over-scheduling.
 	if len(tasks) > 5 {
-		t.Errorf("Expected at most 5 new tasks (only 5 eligible volumes remain), got %d", len(tasks))
+		t.Errorf("Expected at most 5 new tasks, got %d", len(tasks))
 	}
 	if len(tasks) == 0 {
-		t.Errorf("Expected at least 1 new task since imbalance still exists with actual volume counts")
+		t.Errorf("Expected at least 1 new task since projected imbalance still exists")
 	}
 
 	assertNoDuplicateVolumes(t, tasks)