diff --git a/crates/client/flashblocks/src/error.rs b/crates/client/flashblocks/src/error.rs
index 3af9b0db..e9e4449d 100644
--- a/crates/client/flashblocks/src/error.rs
+++ b/crates/client/flashblocks/src/error.rs
@@ -24,9 +24,8 @@ pub enum ProtocolError {
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Eq, PartialEq, Error)]
 pub enum ProviderError {
     /// Missing canonical header for a given block number.
-    #[error(
-        "missing canonical header for block {block_number}. This can be ignored if the node has recently restarted, restored from a snapshot or is still syncing."
-    )]
+    /// This typically occurs during node startup, snapshot restore, or while syncing.
+    #[error("missing canonical header for block {block_number}")]
     MissingCanonicalHeader {
         /// The block number for which the header is missing.
         block_number: u64,
@@ -169,7 +168,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[rstest]
     #[case::missing_canonical_header(
         ProviderError::MissingCanonicalHeader { block_number: 12345 },
-        "missing canonical header for block 12345. This can be ignored if the node has recently restarted, restored from a snapshot or is still syncing."
+        "missing canonical header for block 12345"
     )]
     #[case::state_provider(
         ProviderError::StateProvider("connection failed".to_string()),
diff --git a/crates/client/flashblocks/src/metrics.rs b/crates/client/flashblocks/src/metrics.rs
index 7c8d511e..50fa5dbf 100644
--- a/crates/client/flashblocks/src/metrics.rs
+++ b/crates/client/flashblocks/src/metrics.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,12 @@ pub struct Metrics {
     #[metric(describe = "Count of times flashblocks are unable to be converted to blocks")]
     pub block_processing_error: Counter,
 
+    /// Count of times Flashblock processing was paused waiting for canonical chain sync.
+    #[metric(
+        describe = "Count of times Flashblock processing was paused waiting for canonical chain sync"
+    )]
+    pub canonical_sync_wait: Counter,
+
     /// Count of times pending snapshot was cleared because canonical caught up.
     #[metric(
         describe = "Number of times pending snapshot was cleared because canonical caught up"
diff --git a/crates/client/flashblocks/src/processor.rs b/crates/client/flashblocks/src/processor.rs
index 3310c9a3..bfc649d6 100644
--- a/crates/client/flashblocks/src/processor.rs
+++ b/crates/client/flashblocks/src/processor.rs
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ use tokio::sync::{Mutex, broadcast::Sender, mpsc::UnboundedReceiver};
 
 use crate::{
     ExecutionError, Metrics, PendingBlocks, PendingBlocksBuilder, PendingStateBuilder,
-    ProtocolError, ProviderError, Result,
+    ProtocolError, ProviderError, Result, StateProcessorError,
     validation::{
         CanonicalBlockReconciler, FlashblockSequenceValidator, ReconciliationStrategy,
         ReorgDetector, SequenceValidationResult,
@@ -108,8 +108,26 @@ where
                             self.metrics.block_processing_duration.record(start_time.elapsed());
                         }
                         Err(e) => {
-                            error!(message = "could not process Flashblock", error = %e);
-                            self.metrics.block_processing_error.increment(1);
+                            // Handle missing canonical header separately - this is expected during
+                            // node startup, snapshot restore, or when still syncing
+                            if let StateProcessorError::Provider(
+                                ProviderError::MissingCanonicalHeader { block_number },
+                            ) = &e
+                            {
+                                // Use WARN level so operators can see this, but it won't trigger error alerts
+                                // Include detailed context so operators understand exactly what's happening
+                                warn!(
+                                    message = "Flashblock processing paused - waiting for canonical chain sync",
+                                    required_block = block_number,
+                                    flashblock_block = flashblock.metadata.block_number,
+                                    flashblock_index = flashblock.index,
+                                    hint = "node will resume Flashblock processing once canonical chain syncs to required height"
+                                );
+                                self.metrics.canonical_sync_wait.increment(1);
+                            } else {
+                                error!(message = "could not process Flashblock", error = %e);
+                                self.metrics.block_processing_error.increment(1);
+                            }
                         }
                     }
                 }