diff --git a/esphome/components/captive_portal/__init__.py b/esphome/components/captive_portal/__init__.py
index 2c788c4b39..25d0a22083 100644
--- a/esphome/components/captive_portal/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/captive_portal/__init__.py
@@ -74,9 +74,10 @@ def _final_validate(config: ConfigType) -> ConfigType:
 
     # Register socket needs for DNS server and additional HTTP connections
     # - 1 UDP socket for DNS server
-    # - 3 additional TCP sockets for captive portal HTTP connections
-    #   OS captive portal detection makes multiple simultaneous probe requests.
-    #   LRU purging will reclaim idle sockets, but we need enough for the initial burst.
+    # - 3 additional TCP sockets for captive portal detection probes + configuration requests
+    #   OS captive portal detection makes multiple probe requests that stay in TIME_WAIT.
+    #   Need headroom for actual user configuration requests.
+    #   LRU purging will reclaim idle sockets to prevent exhaustion from repeated attempts.
     from esphome.components import socket
 
     socket.consume_sockets(4, "captive_portal")(config)