diff --git a/cli/CHANGELOG.md b/cli/CHANGELOG.md
index 83ac1ec094a..64c396650a3 100644
--- a/cli/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/cli/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ _Released 10/7/2025 (PENDING)_
 - Added a dropdown menu in the Command Log that includes actions like Open in IDE and Add New Test in Studio, along with test preferences such as Auto-Scroll. Addresses [#32556](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/32556) and [#32558](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/32558). Addressed in [#32611](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/32611).
 - Updated the Studio test editing header to include a Back button. This change ensures the Specs button remains functional for expanding or collapsing the specs panel. Addresses [#32556](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/32556) and [#32558](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/32558). Addressed in [#32611](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/32611).
 - Fixed the Studio panel resizing when dragging. Addressed in [#32584](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/32584).
+- The Next button now maintains consistent visibility during stepping sessions when using `cy.pause`, staying visible but disabled when no immediate next command is available, providing clear visual feedback to users about stepping state. Addresses [#32476](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/issues/32476). Addressed in [#32536](https://github.com/cypress-io/cypress/pull/32536).
 
 **Dependency Updates:**
 
diff --git a/packages/reporter/cypress/e2e/header.cy.ts b/packages/reporter/cypress/e2e/header.cy.ts
index fa1ecaa9d4b..fd4f05fde47 100755
--- a/packages/reporter/cypress/e2e/header.cy.ts
+++ b/packages/reporter/cypress/e2e/header.cy.ts
@@ -200,12 +200,79 @@ describe('header', () => {
           cy.get('.restart').should('not.exist')
         })
 
-        it('does not display next button', () => {
+        it('does not display the next button', () => {
           cy.get('.next').should('not.exist')
         })
       })
     })
 
+    describe('when running after resume', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        runner.emit('run:start')
+        runner.emit('paused')
+        cy.get('.play').click()
+      })
+
+      it('displays next button as disabled when running after resume', () => {
+        cy.get('.next').should('be.visible').and('be.disabled')
+      })
+
+      it('shows "Step (not available)" tooltip when running after resume', () => {
+        cy.get('.next').trigger('mouseover', { force: true })
+        cy.get('.cy-tooltip').should('have.text', 'Step (not available)')
+      })
+
+      it('does not emit runner:next when disabled button is clicked', () => {
+        cy.spy(runner, 'emit')
+        cy.get('.next').click({ force: true })
+        cy.wrap(runner.emit).should('not.be.calledWith', 'runner:next')
+      })
+
+      it('displays stop button when running after resume', () => {
+        cy.get('.stop').should('be.visible')
+      })
+    })
+
+    describe('when paused without next command', () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        runner.emit('paused')
+      })
+
+      it('displays play button', () => {
+        cy.get('.play').should('be.visible')
+      })
+
+      it('displays tooltip for play button', () => {
+        cy.get('.play').trigger('mouseover')
+        cy.get('.cy-tooltip').should('have.text', 'Resume C')
+      })
+
+      it('emits runner:resume when play button is clicked', () => {
+        cy.spy(runner, 'emit')
+        cy.get('.play').click()
+        cy.wrap(runner.emit).should('be.calledWith', 'runner:resume')
+      })
+
+      it('displays next button', () => {
+        cy.get('.next').should('be.visible').and('be.disabled')
+      })
+
+      it('shows "Step (not available)" tooltip when next button is disabled', () => {
+        cy.get('.next').trigger('mouseover', { force: true })
+        cy.get('.cy-tooltip').should('have.text', 'Step (not available)')
+      })
+
+      it('does not emit runner:next when disabled next button is clicked', () => {
+        cy.spy(runner, 'emit')
+        cy.get('.next').click({ force: true })
+        cy.wrap(runner.emit).should('not.be.calledWith', 'runner:next')
+      })
+
+      it('does not display stop button', () => {
+        cy.get('.stop').should('not.exist')
+      })
+    })
+
     describe('when paused with next command', () => {
       beforeEach(() => {
         runner.emit('paused', 'find')
diff --git a/packages/reporter/src/header/controls.tsx b/packages/reporter/src/header/controls.tsx
index a71f4f3a14d..462eb6a0299 100755
--- a/packages/reporter/src/header/controls.tsx
+++ b/packages/reporter/src/header/controls.tsx
@@ -53,11 +53,26 @@ const Controls: React.FC<Props> = observer(({ events = defaultEvents, appState }
           </div>
         </Tooltip>
       )}
-      {!!appState.nextCommandName && (
-        <Tooltip placement='bottom' title={<p>Next <span className='kbd'>[N]:</span>{appState.nextCommandName}</p>} className='cy-tooltip'>
+      {(appState.isPaused || (appState.isRunning && appState.hasBeenPaused)) && (
+        <Tooltip
+          placement='bottom'
+          title={appState.nextCommandName ? <p>Next <span className='kbd'>[N]:</span>{appState.nextCommandName}</p> : <p>Step (not available)</p>}
+          className='cy-tooltip'
+        >
           <div>
-            <Button size='20' variant='outline-dark' aria-label={`Next '${appState.nextCommandName}'`} className='next' onClick={emit('next')}>
-              <IconActionNext size='16' strokeColor={iconStrokeColor} fillColor={iconFillColor} />
+            <Button
+              size='20'
+              variant='outline-dark'
+              aria-label={appState.nextCommandName ? `Next '${appState.nextCommandName}'` : 'Next (not available)'}
+              className='next disabled:hover:border-white/20 disabled:focus:border-white/20'
+              disabled={!appState.nextCommandName}
+              onClick={appState.nextCommandName ? emit('next') : () => { }}
+            >
+              <IconActionNext
+                size='16'
+                strokeColor={(appState.nextCommandName) ? iconStrokeColor : 'gray-700'}
+                fillColor={iconFillColor}
+              />
             </Button>
           </div>
         </Tooltip>
diff --git a/packages/reporter/src/lib/app-state.ts b/packages/reporter/src/lib/app-state.ts
index 95a02304bae..7dcf2631df8 100644
--- a/packages/reporter/src/lib/app-state.ts
+++ b/packages/reporter/src/lib/app-state.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ interface DefaultAppState {
   pinnedSnapshotId: number | string | null
   studioActive: boolean
   studioSingleTestActive: boolean
+  hasBeenPaused: boolean
 }
 
 // these are used for the `reset` method
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ const defaults: DefaultAppState = {
   pinnedSnapshotId: null,
   studioActive: false,
   studioSingleTestActive: false,
+  hasBeenPaused: false,
 }
 
 class AppState {
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ class AppState {
   studioActive = defaults.studioActive
   studioSingleTestActive = defaults.studioSingleTestActive
   isStopped = false
+  hasBeenPaused = defaults.hasBeenPaused
   _resetAutoScrollingEnabledTo = true;
   [key: string]: any
 
@@ -46,6 +49,7 @@ class AppState {
       pinnedSnapshotId: observable,
       studioActive: observable,
       studioSingleTestActive: observable,
+      hasBeenPaused: observable,
     })
   }
 
@@ -57,6 +61,7 @@ class AppState {
   pause (nextCommandName?: string) {
     this.isPaused = true
     this.nextCommandName = nextCommandName
+    this.hasBeenPaused = true
   }
 
   resume () {
diff --git a/packages/reporter/src/lib/events.ts b/packages/reporter/src/lib/events.ts
index b0b60b64df8..c11c0acc7fb 100644
--- a/packages/reporter/src/lib/events.ts
+++ b/packages/reporter/src/lib/events.ts
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ const events: Events = {
     runner.on('run:start', action('run:start', () => {
       if (runnablesStore.hasTests) {
         appState.startRunning()
+        appState.hasBeenPaused = false
       }
     }))