diff --git a/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py b/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py
index ff66083..3e2267b 100644
--- a/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py
+++ b/modrinthtracker/modrinthtracker.py
@@ -24,14 +24,17 @@ class ModrinthTracker(commands.Cog):
         self.request_lock = asyncio.Lock()
 
     async def cog_load(self):
+        """Initialize the cog."""
         self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
         self.bg_task = self.bot.loop.create_task(self.update_checker())
 
     async def cog_unload(self):
-        if self.session:
-            await self.session.close()
+        """Clean up when cog shuts down."""
         if self.bg_task:
             self.bg_task.cancel()
+        if self.session:
+            await self.session.close()
+            self.session = None
 
     async def _rate_limit(self):
         """Implements rate limiting for API requests"""
@@ -54,32 +57,34 @@ class ModrinthTracker(commands.Cog):
             
             self.request_timestamps.append(current_time)
 
-    async def _make_request(self, url, params=None):
+    async def _make_request(self, url, params=None, retries=3):
         """Make a rate-limited request to the Modrinth API"""
         await self._rate_limit()
         
-        # Ensure session is available
-        if self.session is None or self.session.closed:
-            self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
-            
-        try:
-            async with self.session.get(url, params=params) as response:
-                if response.status == 429:  # Too Many Requests
-                    retry_after = int(response.headers.get('Retry-After', 60))
-                    await asyncio.sleep(retry_after)
-                    return await self._make_request(url, params)
-                return response
-        except aiohttp.ClientConnectorError:
-            # Connection error, try to recreate session and retry once
-            if self.session and not self.session.closed:
-                await self.session.close()
-            self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
-            async with self.session.get(url, params=params) as response:
-                return response
-        except Exception as e:
-            # Log the error for debugging
-            self.bot.logger.error(f"Error in _make_request: {str(e)}", exc_info=True)
-            raise
+        for attempt in range(retries):
+            try:
+                # Ensure session is available
+                if self.session is None or self.session.closed:
+                    self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
+                
+                async with self.session.get(url, params=params) as response:
+                    if response.status == 429:  # Too Many Requests
+                        retry_after = int(response.headers.get('Retry-After', 60))
+                        await asyncio.sleep(retry_after)
+                        continue
+                    return response
+                    
+            except (aiohttp.ClientConnectorError, aiohttp.ClientError) as e:
+                if attempt == retries - 1:  # Last attempt
+                    raise
+                # Close and recreate session
+                if self.session and not self.session.closed:
+                    await self.session.close()
+                self.session = aiohttp.ClientSession()
+                await asyncio.sleep(1)  # Wait a bit before retrying
+            except Exception as e:
+                self.bot.logger.error(f"Error in _make_request: {str(e)}", exc_info=True)
+                raise
 
     @commands.group()
     @checks.admin()
@@ -170,12 +175,12 @@ class ModrinthTracker(commands.Cog):
         except aiohttp.ClientConnectorError:
             await ctx.send("Error: Failed to connect to Modrinth API. Please try again in a few moments.")
         except aiohttp.ClientError as e:
-            await ctx.send(f"Error: Network error occurred while contacting Modrinth API: {str(e)}")
+            await ctx.send(f"Error: Network error occurred while contacting Modrinth API. Please try again in a few moments.")
         except asyncio.TimeoutError:
             await ctx.send("Error: Request to Modrinth API timed out. Please try again.")
         except Exception as e:
             self.bot.logger.error(f"Error in modrinth add command: {str(e)}", exc_info=True)
-            await ctx.send(f"An unexpected error occurred. Please try again later or contact the bot owner if the issue persists.")
+            await ctx.send("An unexpected error occurred. Please try again later or contact the bot owner if the issue persists.")
 
     @modrinth.command()
     async def remove(self, ctx, project_id: str):