diff --git a/src/game/game_handler.cpp b/src/game/game_handler.cpp
index 66a1d438..8bc19474 100644
--- a/src/game/game_handler.cpp
+++ b/src/game/game_handler.cpp
@@ -6226,10 +6226,13 @@ void GameHandler::performGameObjectInteractionNow(uint64_t guid) {
     lastInteractedGoGuid_ = guid;
 
     if (chestLike) {
-        // Chest-like GOs also need a CMSG_LOOT to open the loot window.
-        // Sent in the same frame: USE transitions the GO to lootable state,
-        // then LOOT requests the contents.
-        lootTarget(guid);
+        // Don't send CMSG_LOOT immediately — the server may start a timed cast
+        // (e.g., "Opening") and the GO isn't lootable until the cast finishes.
+        // Sending LOOT prematurely gets an empty response or is silently dropped,
+        // which can interfere with the server's loot state machine.
+        // Instead, handleSpellGo will send LOOT after the cast completes
+        // (using lastInteractedGoGuid_ set above). For instant-open chests
+        // (no cast), the server sends SMSG_LOOT_RESPONSE directly after USE.
     } else if (isMailbox) {
         LOG_INFO("Mailbox interaction: opening mail UI and requesting mail list");
         mailboxGuid_ = guid;
diff --git a/src/game/spell_handler.cpp b/src/game/spell_handler.cpp
index d02b24be..c87e5089 100644
--- a/src/game/spell_handler.cpp
+++ b/src/game/spell_handler.cpp
@@ -794,6 +794,7 @@ void SpellHandler::handleCastFailed(network::Packet& packet) {
     currentCastSpellId_ = 0;
     castTimeRemaining_ = 0.0f;
     owner_.lastInteractedGoGuid_ = 0;
+    owner_.pendingGameObjectInteractGuid_ = 0;
     craftQueueSpellId_ = 0;
     craftQueueRemaining_ = 0;
     queuedSpellId_ = 0;
@@ -952,11 +953,15 @@ void SpellHandler::handleSpellGo(network::Packet& packet) {
         currentCastSpellId_ = 0;
         castTimeRemaining_ = 0.0f;
 
-        // Gather node looting
+        // Gather node looting: re-send CMSG_LOOT now that the cast completed.
         if (wasInTimedCast && owner_.lastInteractedGoGuid_ != 0) {
             owner_.lootTarget(owner_.lastInteractedGoGuid_);
             owner_.lastInteractedGoGuid_ = 0;
         }
+        // Clear the GO interaction guard so future cancelCast() calls work
+        // normally. Without this, pendingGameObjectInteractGuid_ stays stale
+        // and suppresses CMSG_CANCEL_CAST for ALL subsequent spell casts.
+        owner_.pendingGameObjectInteractGuid_ = 0;
 
         if (owner_.spellCastAnimCallback_) {
             owner_.spellCastAnimCallback_(owner_.playerGuid, false, false);