diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index 58e827d..b011cf8 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -4756,9 +4756,9 @@ async def warn(ctx, user: discord.User, reason: str = "No reason provided", mess
     
     Note: context_range parameter only works when message_id is also provided!
     """
-    # Check if it's a slash command and defer if needed
+    # Check if it's a slash command and defer if needed (skip defer for silent mode)
     is_slash_command = hasattr(ctx, 'interaction') and ctx.interaction
-    if is_slash_command:
+    if is_slash_command and not silent:
         await ctx.defer()
     
     # Helper function for sending responses
@@ -5010,7 +5010,7 @@ async def warn(ctx, user: discord.User, reason: str = "No reason provided", mess
         
         # Send response based on silent mode
         if silent:
-            # Silent mode: ephemeral response to moderator at command location
+            # Silent mode: ephemeral response to moderator only
             silent_embed = discord.Embed(
                 title="🔇 Silent Warning Issued",
                 description=f"{user.mention} has been warned silently.",
@@ -5028,22 +5028,29 @@ async def warn(ctx, user: discord.User, reason: str = "No reason provided", mess
             silent_embed.set_footer(text=f"Silent Mode • User ID: {user.id}")
             silent_embed.set_thumbnail(url=user.display_avatar.url)
             
-            # Force ephemeral response regardless of command type
-            if is_slash_command:
-                if hasattr(ctx, 'followup') and ctx.followup:
-                    await ctx.followup.send(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
-                elif hasattr(ctx, 'response') and not ctx.response.is_done():
-                    await ctx.response.send_message(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
+            # Send ephemeral response - force it to be ephemeral
+            try:
+                if is_slash_command:
+                    if hasattr(ctx, 'followup') and ctx.followup:
+                        await ctx.followup.send(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
+                    elif hasattr(ctx, 'response') and not ctx.response.is_done():
+                        await ctx.response.send_message(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
+                    else:
+                        # If somehow we get here, try a fallback
+                        await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed, delete_after=30)
                 else:
-                    # Fallback for slash commands without proper response
-                    await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
-            else:
-                # For prefix commands, send ephemeral-like message (delete after short time)
-                msg = await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed)
-                # Auto-delete after 30 seconds for prefix commands
-                await asyncio.sleep(30)
+                    # For prefix commands, send and delete quickly
+                    msg = await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed)
+                    await asyncio.sleep(30)
+                    try:
+                        await msg.delete()
+                    except:
+                        pass
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"Error sending silent warning response: {e}")
+                # Last resort fallback
                 try:
-                    await msg.delete()
+                    await ctx.send(f"⚠️ {user.mention} has been warned silently. Check DMs for details.", delete_after=10)
                 except:
                     pass
                 
@@ -6317,9 +6324,9 @@ async def mute(ctx, user: discord.User, duration: str, reason: str = "No reason
     
     Note: context_range parameter only works when message_id is also provided!
     """
-    # Check if it's a slash command and defer if needed
+    # Check if it's a slash command and defer if needed (skip defer for silent mode)
     is_slash_command = hasattr(ctx, 'interaction') and ctx.interaction
-    if is_slash_command:
+    if is_slash_command and not silent:
         await ctx.defer()
     
     # Helper function for sending responses
@@ -6586,7 +6593,7 @@ async def mute(ctx, user: discord.User, duration: str, reason: str = "No reason
         
         # Send response based on silent mode
         if silent:
-            # Silent mode: ephemeral response to moderator at command location
+            # Silent mode: ephemeral response to moderator only
             silent_embed = discord.Embed(
                 title="🔇 Silent Mute Applied",
                 description=f"{user.mention} has been muted silently.",
@@ -6605,22 +6612,29 @@ async def mute(ctx, user: discord.User, duration: str, reason: str = "No reason
             silent_embed.set_footer(text=f"Silent Mode • User ID: {user.id} | Use /viewmute {mute_id} for details")
             silent_embed.set_thumbnail(url=user.display_avatar.url)
             
-            # Force ephemeral response regardless of command type
-            if is_slash_command:
-                if hasattr(ctx, 'followup') and ctx.followup:
-                    await ctx.followup.send(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
-                elif hasattr(ctx, 'response') and not ctx.response.is_done():
-                    await ctx.response.send_message(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
+            # Send ephemeral response - force it to be ephemeral
+            try:
+                if is_slash_command:
+                    if hasattr(ctx, 'followup') and ctx.followup:
+                        await ctx.followup.send(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
+                    elif hasattr(ctx, 'response') and not ctx.response.is_done():
+                        await ctx.response.send_message(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
+                    else:
+                        # If somehow we get here, try a fallback
+                        await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed, delete_after=30)
                 else:
-                    # Fallback for slash commands without proper response
-                    await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed, ephemeral=True)
-            else:
-                # For prefix commands, send ephemeral-like message (delete after short time)
-                msg = await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed)
-                # Auto-delete after 30 seconds for prefix commands
-                await asyncio.sleep(30)
+                    # For prefix commands, send and delete quickly
+                    msg = await ctx.send(embed=silent_embed)
+                    await asyncio.sleep(30)
+                    try:
+                        await msg.delete()
+                    except:
+                        pass
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"Error sending silent mute response: {e}")
+                # Last resort fallback
                 try:
-                    await msg.delete()
+                    await ctx.send(f"🔇 {user.mention} has been muted silently for {duration}. Check DMs for details.", delete_after=10)
                 except:
                     pass