diff --git a/src/adclaw/campaigns/diagnostics.py b/src/adclaw/campaigns/diagnostics.py
index dcaedaa..903345a 100644
--- a/src/adclaw/campaigns/diagnostics.py
+++ b/src/adclaw/campaigns/diagnostics.py
@@ -238,11 +238,32 @@ async def run_diagnostics(meta_factory, ad_account_id: str | None) -> dict[str,
     return _summarise(checks)
 
 
+# The checks the smoke test actually depends on.
+#
+# It creates PAUSED objects and deletes them, so it needs a token, an ad
+# account it can write to, and a Page to attach the creative to — but not a
+# payment method, and not an operator identity. Gating it on full readiness
+# would put it out of reach of the person who most needs it: someone whose
+# account has no funding yet, trying to find out whether Meta accepts what
+# MaskanX sends at all.
+_SMOKE_TEST_CHECKS = frozenset(
+    {"Meta access token", "Token is valid", "Ad account", "Account status",
+     "Facebook Page"},
+)
+
+
 def _summarise(checks: list[Check]) -> dict[str, Any]:
     failed = [c for c in checks if c.status == FAILED]
+    blocked_names = {c.name for c in failed}
     return {
         "ready": not failed,
         "blocking": [c.name for c in failed],
+        # Separate from `ready`: a launch needs everything, a connection
+        # test needs only what it touches.
+        "can_smoke_test": not (blocked_names & _SMOKE_TEST_CHECKS),
+        "smoke_test_blocking": [
+            c.name for c in failed if c.name in _SMOKE_TEST_CHECKS
+        ],
         "checks": [asdict(c) for c in checks],
     }
 
diff --git a/tests/test_campaign_diagnostics.py b/tests/test_campaign_diagnostics.py
index ba91493..181e0b5 100644
--- a/tests/test_campaign_diagnostics.py
+++ b/tests/test_campaign_diagnostics.py
@@ -362,3 +362,59 @@ def test_every_env_var_a_remedy_names_is_offered_in_settings():
         f"Environments, but they are not in _KEY_REGISTRY so no field is "
         f"shown for them."
     )
+
+
+# --- what blocks a launch is not what blocks a connection test ---
+
+
+async def test_a_missing_payment_method_does_not_block_the_connection_test(
+    configured,
+):
+    """The smoke test creates PAUSED objects. Meta does not need a funding
+    source for that, and someone with an unfunded account is exactly who
+    needs to find out whether the connection works at all."""
+    meta = FakeMeta(account={
+        "id": "act_1", "name": "Maskan-MetaAds", "currency": "INR",
+        "account_status": 1, "funding_source": None, "min_daily_budget": 9709,
+    })
+
+    report = await run_diagnostics(lambda: meta, None)
+
+    assert report["ready"] is False
+    assert "Payment method" in report["blocking"]
+    assert report["can_smoke_test"] is True
+    assert report["smoke_test_blocking"] == []
+
+
+async def test_missing_operator_tokens_do_not_block_the_connection_test(
+    monkeypatch,
+):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("META_ADS_ACCOUNT_ID", "act_1")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("META_PAGE_ID", "page_1")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("MASKANX_OPERATOR_TOKENS", raising=False)
+
+    report = await run_diagnostics(lambda: FakeMeta(), None)
+
+    assert "Operator identity" in report["blocking"]
+    assert report["can_smoke_test"] is True
+
+
+async def test_an_unreachable_page_does_block_the_connection_test(configured):
+    """Sync attaches the creative to a Page, so this one it genuinely needs."""
+    meta = FakeMeta()
+    meta.fail_page = True
+
+    report = await run_diagnostics(lambda: meta, None)
+
+    assert report["can_smoke_test"] is False
+    assert report["smoke_test_blocking"] == ["Facebook Page"]
+
+
+async def test_no_token_blocks_the_connection_test(monkeypatch):
+    def no_token():
+        raise MetaNotConfiguredError("META_ADS_ACCESS_TOKEN is not set.")
+
+    report = await run_diagnostics(no_token, None)
+
+    assert report["can_smoke_test"] is False
+    assert report["smoke_test_blocking"] == ["Meta access token"]