diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1d2f9fcc458..f0fb2cba24c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ Note that this project **does not** adhere to [Semantic Versioning](http://semve
 - The Medline/Pubmed search now also supports the [default fields and operators for searching](https://docs.jabref.org/collect/import-using-online-bibliographic-database#search-syntax). [forum#3554](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/native-pubmed-search/3354)
 - We improved group expansion arrow that prevent it from activating group when expanding or collapsing. [#7982](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/7982), [#3176](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/3176)
 - When configured SSL certificates changed, JabRef warns the user to restart to apply the configuration.
+- We fixed an issue that caused JabRef to sometimes open multiple instances when "Remote Operation" is enabled. [#8653](https://github.com/JabRef/jabref/issues/8653)
 
 ### Fixed
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/client/RemoteClient.java b/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/client/RemoteClient.java
index 6942a902522..8090a73b9d5 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/client/RemoteClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/client/RemoteClient.java
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ public class RemoteClient {
 
     private static final Logger LOGGER = LoggerFactory.getLogger(RemoteClient.class);
 
-    private static final int TIMEOUT = 200;
+    private static final int TIMEOUT = 1000;
     private final int port;
 
     public RemoteClient(int port) {
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/server/RemoteListenerServerLifecycle.java b/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/server/RemoteListenerServerLifecycle.java
index 2f148bfdad4..e1ee48cbf75 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/server/RemoteListenerServerLifecycle.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/jabref/logic/remote/server/RemoteListenerServerLifecycle.java
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ public void open(MessageHandler messageHandler, int port, PreferencesService pre
         try {
             result = new RemoteListenerServerThread(messageHandler, port, preferencesService);
         } catch (BindException e) {
-            LOGGER.warn("Port is blocked", e);
+            LOGGER.warn("There was an error opening the configured network port {}. Please ensure there isn't another" +
+                    " application already using that port.", port);
             result = null;
         } catch (IOException e) {
             result = null;