diff --git a/backend/common/src/index_generic.py b/backend/common/src/index_generic.py
index 25c098b9..dbb000dd 100644
--- a/backend/common/src/index_generic.py
+++ b/backend/common/src/index_generic.py
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ class Pagination:
     figure out the pagination based on page size and total_hits
     """
 
+    # elasticsearch's default index.max_result_window; ES rejects any
+    # ``from + size`` request that exceeds this with a 400 (becomes a
+    # 500 to the user).  see issue #746.
+    MAX_RESULT_WINDOW = 10000
+
     def __init__(self, request):
         self.request = request
         self.page_get = False
@@ -121,12 +126,21 @@ class Pagination:
                 i for i in range(page_get - 1, page_get - 6, -1) if i > 1
             ]
             prev_pages.reverse()
+        # clamp page_from so the ES request stays within max_result_window.
+        # without this, large channel pages that cross the 10000 hit
+        # boundary (e.g. page 67 of a 9981-video channel with page_size=150)
+        # return 500.  see issue #746.
+        safe_size = self.page_size if isinstance(self.page_size, int) else 0
+        max_hits = False
+        if page_from + safe_size > self.MAX_RESULT_WINDOW:
+            page_from = self.MAX_RESULT_WINDOW - safe_size
+            max_hits = True
         pagination = {
             "page_size": self.page_size,
             "page_from": page_from,
             "prev_pages": prev_pages,
             "current_page": page_get,
-            "max_hits": False,
+            "max_hits": max_hits,
             "params": self.params,
         }
 
@@ -136,7 +150,7 @@ class Pagination:
         """validate pagination with total_hits after making api call"""
         page_get = self.page_get
         max_pages = math.ceil(total_hits / self.page_size)
-        if total_hits >= 10000:
+        if total_hits >= self.MAX_RESULT_WINDOW:
             # es returns maximal 10000 results
             self.pagination["max_hits"] = True
             max_pages = max_pages - 1
diff --git a/backend/common/tests/test_src/test_pagination.py b/backend/common/tests/test_src/test_pagination.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b6214302
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/common/tests/test_src/test_pagination.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+"""tests for Pagination class to guard against ES max_result_window overflow.
+
+regression test for issue #746: requesting a page that would push
+``from + size`` past the 10000 hit boundary returned a 500 to the user.
+the fix clamps ``page_from`` so the ES query fits in one request and
+sets ``max_hits`` so the UI can flag the cap.
+"""
+
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from common.src.index_generic import Pagination
+
+
+class _StubRequest:
+    """minimal request stand-in; only ``request.GET`` and ``request.user.id``
+    are used by ``Pagination.__init__``."""
+
+    def __init__(self, page):
+        self._page = page
+        self._user = type("_User", (), {"id": 1})()
+
+    @property
+    def user(self):
+        return self._user
+
+    class _GET:
+        def __init__(self, page):
+            self._page = str(page)
+
+        def copy(self):
+            return _StubRequest._GET(self._page)
+
+        def get(self, key, default=None):
+            if key == "page":
+                return self._page
+            return default
+
+        def pop(self, key, default=None):
+            return default
+
+        def urlencode(self):
+            return ""
+
+    GET = property(lambda self: self._GET(self._page))
+
+
+def _make_pagination(page, page_size):
+    """build a Pagination without touching UserConfig / ES."""
+    request = _StubRequest(page)
+    with patch(
+        "common.src.index_generic.UserConfig",
+        return_value=type(
+            "_UC", (), {"get_value": staticmethod(lambda *a, **k: page_size)}
+        )(),
+    ):
+        return Pagination(request)
+
+
+def test_first_page_within_window_is_unchanged():
+    """page 1: from=0, no clamp, max_hits=False."""
+    p = _make_pagination(page=1, page_size=150)
+    assert p.pagination["page_from"] == 0
+    assert p.pagination["page_size"] == 150
+    assert p.pagination["max_hits"] is False
+
+
+def test_middle_page_within_window_is_unchanged():
+    """a normal mid-page is unaffected by the clamp."""
+    p = _make_pagination(page=10, page_size=150)
+    assert p.pagination["page_from"] == 9 * 150
+    assert p.pagination["max_hits"] is False
+
+
+def test_overflow_page_is_clamped():
+    """the bug: page 67 of a 9981-video channel with page_size=150.
+    raw from = 66 * 150 = 9900, + 150 = 10050 > 10000.
+    expected: from is clamped to 10000 - 150 = 9850, max_hits=True.
+    """
+    p = _make_pagination(page=67, page_size=150)
+    assert p.pagination["page_from"] == 9850
+    assert p.pagination["page_size"] == 150
+    assert p.pagination["max_hits"] is True
+
+
+def test_overflow_page_at_exact_boundary_is_unchanged():
+    """the last page that just fits stays unchanged (no clamp)."""
+    # 10000 / 150 = 66.66..., so page 66 → from=9750, +150=9900, fits.
+    p = _make_pagination(page=66, page_size=150)
+    assert p.pagination["page_from"] == 9750
+    assert p.pagination["max_hits"] is False
+
+
+def test_overflow_with_different_page_size():
+    """bug surfaces with any page_size; sanity-check a different value."""
+    # 10000 / 50 = 200 exactly, so page 200 is fine, page 201 overflows
+    p = _make_pagination(page=201, page_size=50)
+    assert p.pagination["page_from"] == 10000 - 50
+    assert p.pagination["max_hits"] is True
+
+
+def test_max_result_window_is_documented_constant():
+    """the constant should be exposed and equal to the ES default."""
+    assert Pagination.MAX_RESULT_WINDOW == 10000