diff --git a/.changeset/salty-colts-appear.md b/.changeset/salty-colts-appear.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..fdd4c28c524f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/salty-colts-appear.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+"@fluidframework/core-interfaces": minor
+"__section": deprecation
+---
+
+Deprecate LogLevel.default and LogLevel.error
+
+`LogLevel.default` and `LogLevel.error` in `@fluidframework/core-interfaces` are deprecated in favor of the semantically clearer `LogLevel.info` and `LogLevel.essential`.
+
+#### Migration
+
+The recommended replacement for `LogLevel.default` depends on how the value is used:
+
+- For an **event's default `logLevel`** (e.g. the `logLevel` argument to `ITelemetryBaseLogger.send`), the recommendation is `LogLevel.essential`.
+- For a logger's **default `minLogLevel`** (the threshold that filters events), `LogLevel.info` is the recommendation.
+
+The replacement for `LogLevel.error` should always be `LogLevel.essential`.
+
+See [issue #26969](https://github.com/microsoft/FluidFramework/issues/26969) for full guidance and removal tracking (planned for v3.0).
diff --git a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.beta.api.md b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.beta.api.md
index 39a9b3379798..0562ed5986c8 100644
--- a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.beta.api.md
+++ b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.beta.api.md
@@ -333,7 +333,9 @@ export type LogLevel = (typeof LogLevel)[keyof typeof LogLevel];
 
 // @public
 export interface LogLevelConst {
+    // @deprecated
     readonly default: 20;
+    // @deprecated
     readonly error: 30;
     readonly essential: 30;
     readonly info: 20;
diff --git a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.alpha.api.md b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.alpha.api.md
index ef43fde81f7b..9378cbc5d36a 100644
--- a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.alpha.api.md
+++ b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.alpha.api.md
@@ -478,7 +478,9 @@ export type LogLevel = (typeof LogLevel)[keyof typeof LogLevel];
 
 // @public
 export interface LogLevelConst {
+    // @deprecated
     readonly default: 20;
+    // @deprecated
     readonly error: 30;
     readonly essential: 30;
     readonly info: 20;
diff --git a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.beta.api.md b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.beta.api.md
index cae6efefbae2..3975eeb54bfd 100644
--- a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.beta.api.md
+++ b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.beta.api.md
@@ -465,7 +465,9 @@ export type LogLevel = (typeof LogLevel)[keyof typeof LogLevel];
 
 // @public
 export interface LogLevelConst {
+    // @deprecated
     readonly default: 20;
+    // @deprecated
     readonly error: 30;
     readonly essential: 30;
     readonly info: 20;
diff --git a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.public.api.md b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.public.api.md
index 31e263d9e2c0..2f53560ad17c 100644
--- a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.public.api.md
+++ b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.legacy.public.api.md
@@ -333,7 +333,9 @@ export type LogLevel = (typeof LogLevel)[keyof typeof LogLevel];
 
 // @public
 export interface LogLevelConst {
+    // @deprecated
     readonly default: 20;
+    // @deprecated
     readonly error: 30;
     readonly essential: 30;
     readonly info: 20;
diff --git a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.public.api.md b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.public.api.md
index 31e263d9e2c0..2f53560ad17c 100644
--- a/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.public.api.md
+++ b/packages/common/core-interfaces/api-report/core-interfaces.public.api.md
@@ -333,7 +333,9 @@ export type LogLevel = (typeof LogLevel)[keyof typeof LogLevel];
 
 // @public
 export interface LogLevelConst {
+    // @deprecated
     readonly default: 20;
+    // @deprecated
     readonly error: 30;
     readonly essential: 30;
     readonly info: 20;
diff --git a/packages/common/core-interfaces/src/logger.ts b/packages/common/core-interfaces/src/logger.ts
index 563d17182769..8c34de839a4a 100644
--- a/packages/common/core-interfaces/src/logger.ts
+++ b/packages/common/core-interfaces/src/logger.ts
@@ -81,13 +81,15 @@ export interface LogLevelConst {
 
 	/**
 	 * Default LogLevel
-	 * @remarks Prefer {@link LogLevelConst.info | LogLevel.info} when selecting a level explicitly since this will be deprecated and removed in a future release.
+	 * @deprecated Prefer {@link LogLevelConst.info | LogLevel.info} when selecting a level explicitly to preserve prior treatment. Planned to be removed in 3.0.0.
+	 * @see {@link https://github.com/microsoft/FluidFramework/issues/26969 | Issue #26969} for removal tracking.
 	 */
 	readonly default: 20;
 
 	/**
 	 * To log errors.
-	 * @remarks Prefer {@link LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential} when selecting a level since this will be deprecated and removed in a future release.
+	 * @deprecated Prefer {@link LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential} when selecting a level. Planned to be removed in 3.0.0.
+	 * @see {@link https://github.com/microsoft/FluidFramework/issues/26969 | Issue #26969} for removal tracking.
 	 */
 	readonly error: 30;
 }
@@ -120,13 +122,13 @@ export interface ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	/**
 	 * Log a telemetry event, if it meets the appropriate log-level threshold (see {@link ITelemetryBaseLogger.minLogLevel}).
 	 * @param event - The event to log.
-	 * @param logLevel - The log level of the event. Default: {@link LogLevelConst.default | LogLevel.default}.
+	 * @param logLevel - The log level of the event. If undefined, the logLevel should be treated as {@link LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
 	 */
 	send(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent, logLevel?: LogLevel): void;
 
 	/**
 	 * Minimum log level to be logged.
-	 * @defaultValue {@link LogLevelConst.default | LogLevel.default}.
+	 * @defaultValue {@link LogLevelConst.info | LogLevel.info}.
 	 */
 	minLogLevel?: LogLevel;
 }
diff --git a/packages/loader/container-loader/src/test/container.spec.ts b/packages/loader/container-loader/src/test/container.spec.ts
index cdeed1b6c545..f3a154e05391 100644
--- a/packages/loader/container-loader/src/test/container.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/loader/container-loader/src/test/container.spec.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ import {
 	TypedEventEmitter,
 	type IProvideLayerCompatDetails,
 } from "@fluid-internal/client-utils";
-import { AttachState, type IAudience } from "@fluidframework/container-definitions";
+import type { IAudience } from "@fluidframework/container-definitions";
+import { AttachState } from "@fluidframework/container-definitions";
 import type {
 	ICriticalContainerError,
 	IContainer,
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/api-report/telemetry-utils.legacy.beta.api.md b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/api-report/telemetry-utils.legacy.beta.api.md
index 0d9251f8cc7e..1af6c1b4480a 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/api-report/telemetry-utils.legacy.beta.api.md
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/api-report/telemetry-utils.legacy.beta.api.md
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ export interface ITelemetryLoggerExt extends ITelemetryBaseLogger {
     // @deprecated
     sendErrorEvent(event: ITelemetryErrorEventExt, error?: unknown): void;
     // @deprecated
-    sendPerformanceEvent(event: ITelemetryPerformanceEventExt, error?: unknown, logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default): void;
+    sendPerformanceEvent(event: ITelemetryPerformanceEventExt, error?: unknown, logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info): void;
     // @deprecated
-    sendTelemetryEvent(event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt, error?: unknown, logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default): void;
+    sendTelemetryEvent(event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt, error?: unknown, logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info): void;
 }
 
 // @beta @legacy (undocumented)
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/logger.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/logger.ts
index f8c2b99612f3..5abf73a0239f 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/logger.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/logger.ts
@@ -224,18 +224,18 @@ export abstract class TelemetryLogger implements TelemetryLoggerExt {
 	 *
 	 * @param event - the event to send
 	 * @param error - optional error object to log
-	 * @param logLevel - optional level of the log. It category of event is set as error,
-	 * then the logLevel will be upgraded to be an error.
+	 * @param logLevel - optional level of the log. If the event's category is `error`,
+	 * the logLevel will be upgraded to {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
 	 */
 	public sendTelemetryEvent(
 		event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
 		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default = LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): void {
 		this.sendTelemetryEventCore(
 			{ ...event, category: event.category ?? "generic" },
 			error,
-			event.category === "error" ? LogLevel.error : logLevel,
+			event.category === "error" ? LogLevel.essential : (logLevel ?? LogLevel.essential),
 		);
 	}
 
@@ -244,12 +244,12 @@ export abstract class TelemetryLogger implements TelemetryLoggerExt {
 	 *
 	 * @param event - the event to send
 	 * @param error - optional error object to log
-	 * @param logLevel - optional level of the log.
+	 * @param logLevel - level of the log.
 	 */
-	protected sendTelemetryEventCore(
+	private sendTelemetryEventCore(
 		event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt & { category: TelemetryEventCategory },
-		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel?: LogLevel,
+		error: unknown,
+		logLevel: LogLevel,
 	): void {
 		const newEvent = convertToBaseEvent(event);
 		if (error !== undefined) {
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ export abstract class TelemetryLogger implements TelemetryLoggerExt {
 				category: "error",
 			},
 			error,
-			LogLevel.error,
+			LogLevel.essential,
 		);
 	}
 
@@ -289,13 +289,13 @@ export abstract class TelemetryLogger implements TelemetryLoggerExt {
 	 *
 	 * @param event - Event to send
 	 * @param error - optional error object to log
-	 * @param logLevel - optional level of the log. It category of event is set as error,
-	 * then the logLevel will be upgraded to be an error.
+	 * @param logLevel - optional level of the log. If the event's category is `error`,
+	 * the logLevel will be upgraded to {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
 	 */
 	public sendPerformanceEvent(
 		event: ITelemetryPerformanceEventExt,
 		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default = LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): void {
 		const perfEvent = {
 			...event,
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ export abstract class TelemetryLogger implements TelemetryLoggerExt {
 		this.sendTelemetryEventCore(
 			perfEvent,
 			error,
-			perfEvent.category === "error" ? LogLevel.error : logLevel,
+			perfEvent.category === "error" ? LogLevel.essential : (logLevel ?? LogLevel.essential),
 		);
 	}
 
@@ -518,8 +518,8 @@ export class ChildLogger extends TelemetryLogger {
 	}
 
 	private shouldFilterOutEvent(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent, logLevel?: LogLevel): boolean {
-		const eventLogLevel = logLevel ?? LogLevel.default;
-		const configLogLevel = this.baseLogger.minLogLevel ?? LogLevel.default;
+		const eventLogLevel = logLevel ?? LogLevel.essential;
+		const configLogLevel = this.baseLogger.minLogLevel ?? LogLevel.info;
 		// Filter out in case event log level is below what is wanted in config.
 		return eventLogLevel < configLogLevel;
 	}
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ export class ChildLogger extends TelemetryLogger {
 		if (this.shouldFilterOutEvent(event, logLevel)) {
 			return;
 		}
-		this.baseLogger.send(this.prepareEvent(event), logLevel);
+		this.baseLogger.send(this.prepareEvent(event), logLevel ?? LogLevel.essential);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@ export class MultiSinkLogger extends TelemetryLogger {
 
 		super(namespace, realProperties);
 		this.loggers = loggers;
-		this._minLogLevelOfAllLoggers = LogLevel.default;
+		this._minLogLevelOfAllLoggers = LogLevel.info;
 		this.calculateMinLogLevel();
 	}
 
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ export class MultiSinkLogger extends TelemetryLogger {
 		if (this.loggers.length > 0) {
 			const logLevels: LogLevel[] = [];
 			for (const logger of this.loggers) {
-				logLevels.push(logger.minLogLevel ?? LogLevel.default);
+				logLevels.push(logger.minLogLevel ?? LogLevel.info);
 			}
 			this._minLogLevelOfAllLoggers = Math.min(...logLevels) as LogLevel;
 		}
@@ -653,10 +653,10 @@ export class MultiSinkLogger extends TelemetryLogger {
 	 *
 	 * @param event - the event to send to all the registered logger
 	 */
-	public send(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent): void {
+	public send(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent, logLevel?: LogLevel): void {
 		const newEvent = this.prepareEvent(event);
 		for (const logger of this.loggers) {
-			logger.send(newEvent);
+			logger.send(newEvent, logLevel ?? LogLevel.essential);
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -693,6 +693,7 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 	 * @param emitLogs - should this instance emit logs. If set to false, logs will not be emitted to the logger,
 	 * but measurements will still be performed and any specified markers will be generated.
 	 * @param logLevel - optional {@link LogLevel} for events emitted by this performance event.
+	 * If unspecified, {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential} will be used.
 	 * @returns An instance of {@link PerformanceEvent}
 	 */
 	public static start(
@@ -700,7 +701,7 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 		event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
 		markers?: IPerformanceEventMarkers,
 		emitLogs: boolean = true,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): PerformanceEvent {
 		return new PerformanceEvent(
 			extractTelemetryLoggerExt(logger),
@@ -720,6 +721,7 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 	 * @param sampleThreshold - events with the same name and category will be sent to the logger
 	 * only when we hit this many executions of the task. If unspecified, all events will be sent.
 	 * @param logLevel - optional {@link LogLevel} for events emitted by this performance event.
+	 * If unspecified, {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential} will be used.
 	 * @returns The results of the executed task
 	 *
 	 * @remarks Note that if the "same" event (category + eventName) would be emitted by different
@@ -733,7 +735,7 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 		callback: (event: PerformanceEvent) => T,
 		markers?: IPerformanceEventMarkers,
 		sampleThreshold: number = 1,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): T {
 		const perfEvent = PerformanceEvent.start(
 			logger,
@@ -762,6 +764,7 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 	 * @param sampleThreshold - events with the same name and category will be sent to the logger
 	 * only when we hit this many executions of the task. If unspecified, all events will be sent.
 	 * @param logLevel - optional {@link LogLevel} for events emitted by this performance event.
+	 * If unspecified, {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential} will be used.
 	 * @returns The results of the executed task
 	 *
 	 * @remarks Note that if the "same" event (category + eventName) would be emitted by different
@@ -775,7 +778,7 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 		callback: (event: PerformanceEvent) => Promise<T>,
 		markers?: IPerformanceEventMarkers,
 		sampleThreshold: number = 1,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): Promise<T> {
 		const perfEvent = PerformanceEvent.start(
 			logger,
@@ -802,12 +805,12 @@ export class PerformanceEvent {
 	private readonly startTime = performanceNow();
 	private startMark?: string;
 
-	protected constructor(
+	private constructor(
 		private readonly logger: TelemetryLoggerExt,
 		event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
 		private readonly markers: IPerformanceEventMarkers = { end: true, cancel: "generic" },
 		private readonly emitLogs: boolean = true,
-		private readonly logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		private readonly logLevel: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info | undefined,
 	) {
 		this.event = { ...event };
 		if (this.markers.start) {
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/mockLogger.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/mockLogger.ts
index cf52590cbdeb..2df2dea3df27 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/mockLogger.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/mockLogger.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ export class MockLogger implements ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	public readonly minLogLevel: LogLevel;
 
 	public constructor(minLogLevel?: LogLevel) {
-		this.minLogLevel = minLogLevel ?? LogLevel.default;
+		this.minLogLevel = minLogLevel ?? LogLevel.info;
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export class MockLogger implements ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	 * {@inheritDoc @fluidframework/core-interfaces#ITelemetryBaseLogger.send}
 	 */
 	public send(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent, logLevel?: LogLevel): void {
-		if ((logLevel ?? LogLevel.default) >= this.minLogLevel) {
+		if ((logLevel ?? LogLevel.essential) >= this.minLogLevel) {
 			this._events.push(event);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/telemetryTypes.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/telemetryTypes.ts
index 09270dfcf25f..b444a4a64e44 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/telemetryTypes.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/telemetryTypes.ts
@@ -136,14 +136,15 @@ export interface ITelemetryLoggerExt extends ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	 * Send an information telemetry event.
 	 * @param event - Event to send.
 	 * @param error - Optional error object to log.
-	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. Default: {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.essential}.
+	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. If undefined, the logLevel should be treated as {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.essential}.
+	 * If the event's category is `error`, the logLevel will be upgraded to {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.essential}.
 	 * @deprecated This method is being removed without a replacement.
 	 * @see {@link https://github.com/microsoft/FluidFramework/issues/26910 | Issue #26910} for details.
 	 */
 	sendTelemetryEvent(
 		event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
 		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): void;
 
 	/**
@@ -159,14 +160,15 @@ export interface ITelemetryLoggerExt extends ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	 * Send a performance telemetry event.
 	 * @param event - Event to send
 	 * @param error - Optional error object to log.
-	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. Default: {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.essential}.
+	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. If undefined, the logLevel should be treated as {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.essential}.
+	 * If the event's category is `error`, the logLevel will be upgraded to {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.essential}.
 	 * @deprecated This method is being removed without a replacement.
 	 * @see {@link https://github.com/microsoft/FluidFramework/issues/26910 | Issue #26910} for details.
 	 */
 	sendPerformanceEvent(
 		event: ITelemetryPerformanceEventExt,
 		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): void;
 }
 
@@ -183,12 +185,13 @@ export interface TelemetryLoggerExt extends ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	 * Send an information telemetry event.
 	 * @param event - Event to send.
 	 * @param error - Optional error object to log.
-	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. Default: {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevel.default}.
+	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. If undefined, the logLevel will be treated as {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
+	 * If the event's category is `error`, the logLevel will be upgraded to {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
 	 */
 	sendTelemetryEvent(
 		event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
 		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): void;
 
 	/**
@@ -202,11 +205,12 @@ export interface TelemetryLoggerExt extends ITelemetryBaseLogger {
 	 * Send a performance telemetry event.
 	 * @param event - Event to send
 	 * @param error - Optional error object to log.
-	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. Default: {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.default | LogLevel.default}.
+	 * @param logLevel - Optional level of the log. If undefined, the logLevel will be treated as {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
+	 * If the event's category is `error`, the logLevel will be upgraded to {@link @fluidframework/core-interfaces#LogLevelConst.essential | LogLevel.essential}.
 	 */
 	sendPerformanceEvent(
 		event: ITelemetryPerformanceEventExt,
 		error?: unknown,
-		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.default,
+		logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
 	): void;
 }
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/childLogger.spec.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/childLogger.spec.ts
index be7e75d132b6..fda2a29d254b 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/childLogger.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/childLogger.spec.ts
@@ -194,16 +194,20 @@ describe("ChildLogger", () => {
 				sent = true;
 			},
 
-			minLogLevel: LogLevel.error,
+			minLogLevel: LogLevel.essential,
 		};
 		const childLogger1 = createChildLogger({ logger });
 
-		childLogger1.send({ category: "error", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.error);
-		assert(sent, "event should be sent");
+		childLogger1.send({ category: "error", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.essential);
+		assert(sent, "essential event should be sent");
 
 		sent = false;
-		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.default);
-		assert(!sent, "event should not be sent");
+		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.info);
+		assert(!sent, "info event should not be sent");
+
+		sent = false;
+		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" });
+		assert(sent, "event with undefined logLevel should be sent");
 	});
 
 	it("should receive verbose events with min loglevel set as verbose", () => {
@@ -221,11 +225,11 @@ describe("ChildLogger", () => {
 		const childLogger1 = createChildLogger({ logger });
 
 		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.verbose);
-		assert(sent, "event should be sent");
+		assert(sent, "verbose event should be sent");
 
 		sent = false;
 		childLogger1.send({ category: "error", eventName: "testEvent" });
-		assert(sent, "default event should be sent");
+		assert(sent, "event with undefined logLevel should be sent");
 	});
 
 	it("should not receive verbose events with no min loglevel", () => {
@@ -241,7 +245,7 @@ describe("ChildLogger", () => {
 		const childLogger1 = createChildLogger({ logger });
 
 		childLogger1.send({ category: "error", eventName: "testEvent" });
-		assert(sent, "default event should be sent");
+		assert(sent, "event with undefined logLevel should be sent");
 
 		sent = false;
 		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.verbose);
@@ -257,10 +261,10 @@ describe("ChildLogger", () => {
 				}
 				sent = true;
 			},
-			minLogLevel: LogLevel.default,
+			minLogLevel: LogLevel.info,
 		};
 		const multiSinkLogger = createMultiSinkLogger({
-			loggers: [logger1, new MockLogger(LogLevel.error)],
+			loggers: [logger1, new MockLogger(LogLevel.essential)],
 		});
 		const childLogger1 = createChildLogger({
 			logger: multiSinkLogger,
@@ -269,7 +273,50 @@ describe("ChildLogger", () => {
 		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.verbose);
 		assert(!sent, "verbose event should not be sent");
 
-		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.default);
-		assert(sent, "default event should be sent");
+		childLogger1.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "testEvent" }, LogLevel.info);
+		assert(sent, "info event should be sent");
+	});
+});
+describe("logLevel forwarding", () => {
+	function createRecordingSink(minLogLevel?: LogLevel): {
+		sink: ITelemetryBaseLogger;
+		recorded: { event: ITelemetryBaseEvent; logLevel: LogLevel | undefined }[];
+	} {
+		const recorded: { event: ITelemetryBaseEvent; logLevel: LogLevel | undefined }[] = [];
+		const sink: ITelemetryBaseLogger = {
+			send: (event, logLevel): void => {
+				recorded.push({ event, logLevel });
+			},
+			minLogLevel,
+		};
+		return { sink, recorded };
+	}
+
+	it("Forwards LogLevel.essential to the sink when `sendTelemetryEvent` omits logLevel", () => {
+		const { sink, recorded } = createRecordingSink();
+		const child = createChildLogger({ logger: sink });
+
+		child.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "chainDefault" });
+
+		assert.strictEqual(recorded[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+	});
+
+	it("Forwards explicit LogLevel.info to the sink via `sendTelemetryEvent`", () => {
+		const { sink, recorded } = createRecordingSink();
+		const child = createChildLogger({ logger: sink });
+
+		child.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "chainExplicit" }, undefined, LogLevel.info);
+
+		assert.strictEqual(recorded[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.info);
+	});
+
+	it("Forwards LogLevel.verbose to the sink via `sendTelemetryEvent`", () => {
+		// You have to add a minLogLevel of verbose to the sink to receive verbose events, otherwise they will be dropped.
+		const { sink, recorded } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+		const child = createChildLogger({ logger: sink });
+
+		child.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "chainDefault" }, undefined, LogLevel.verbose);
+
+		assert.strictEqual(recorded[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.verbose);
 	});
 });
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/multiSinkLogger.spec.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/multiSinkLogger.spec.ts
index 74efa4ec3c14..12a951a33343 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/multiSinkLogger.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/multiSinkLogger.spec.ts
@@ -5,11 +5,34 @@
 
 import { strict as assert } from "node:assert";
 
+import type {
+	ITelemetryBaseEvent,
+	ITelemetryBaseLogger,
+} from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
 import { LogLevel } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
 
 import { type MultiSinkLogger, createChildLogger, createMultiSinkLogger } from "../logger.js";
 import { MockLogger } from "../mockLogger.js";
 
+interface RecordedEntry {
+	event: ITelemetryBaseEvent;
+	logLevel: LogLevel | undefined;
+}
+
+function createRecordingSink(minLogLevel: LogLevel = LogLevel.verbose): {
+	sink: ITelemetryBaseLogger;
+	recorded: RecordedEntry[];
+} {
+	const recorded: RecordedEntry[] = [];
+	const sink: ITelemetryBaseLogger = {
+		send: (event, logLevel): void => {
+			recorded.push({ event, logLevel });
+		},
+		minLogLevel,
+	};
+	return { sink, recorded };
+}
+
 describe("MultiSinkLogger", () => {
 	it("Pushes logs to all sinks", () => {
 		const logger1 = new MockLogger();
@@ -66,14 +89,14 @@ describe("MultiSinkLogger", () => {
 	});
 
 	it("MultiSink logger set the logLevel to min logLevel of all loggers", () => {
-		const logger1 = new MockLogger(LogLevel.error);
-		const logger2 = new MockLogger(LogLevel.default);
+		const logger1 = new MockLogger(LogLevel.essential);
+		const logger2 = new MockLogger(LogLevel.info);
 		const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({
 			loggers: [createChildLogger({ logger: logger1 }), logger2],
 		});
 		assert.strictEqual(
 			multiSink.minLogLevel,
-			LogLevel.default,
+			LogLevel.info,
 			"Min loglevel should be set correctly",
 		);
 
@@ -94,7 +117,7 @@ describe("MultiSinkLogger", () => {
 		});
 		assert.strictEqual(
 			multiSink.minLogLevel,
-			LogLevel.default,
+			LogLevel.info,
 			"Min loglevel should be set correctly to default",
 		);
 	});
@@ -107,14 +130,14 @@ describe("MultiSinkLogger", () => {
 		(multiSink as MultiSinkLogger).addLogger(new MockLogger());
 		assert.strictEqual(
 			multiSink.minLogLevel,
-			LogLevel.default,
+			LogLevel.info,
 			"Min loglevel should be set correctly to default",
 		);
 
-		(multiSink as MultiSinkLogger).addLogger(new MockLogger(LogLevel.default));
+		(multiSink as MultiSinkLogger).addLogger(new MockLogger(LogLevel.info));
 		assert.strictEqual(
 			multiSink.minLogLevel,
-			LogLevel.default,
+			LogLevel.info,
 			"Min loglevel should be set correctly to default",
 		);
 
@@ -125,4 +148,93 @@ describe("MultiSinkLogger", () => {
 			"Min loglevel should be set correctly to verbose",
 		);
 	});
+
+	describe("logLevel propagation", () => {
+		it("Forwards LogLevel.essential to every sink when `sendTelemetryEvent` omits logLevel", () => {
+			const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink();
+			const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink();
+			const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({ loggers: [sinkA, sinkB] });
+
+			multiSink.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "noLogLevel" });
+
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+		});
+
+		it("Forwards LogLevel.essential to every sink when `sendPerformanceEvent` omits logLevel", () => {
+			const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink();
+			const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink();
+			const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({ loggers: [sinkA, sinkB] });
+
+			multiSink.sendPerformanceEvent({ eventName: "perfNoLogLevel" });
+
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+		});
+
+		it("Forwards LogLevel.essential to every sink for `sendErrorEvent`", () => {
+			const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink();
+			const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink();
+			const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({ loggers: [sinkA, sinkB] });
+
+			multiSink.sendErrorEvent({ eventName: "errorEvent" });
+
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.essential);
+		});
+
+		for (const explicitLevel of [LogLevel.verbose, LogLevel.info] as const) {
+			it(`Forwards explicit logLevel (${explicitLevel}) unchanged through MultiSink to every sink via \`sendTelemetryEvent\``, () => {
+				const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+				const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+				const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({ loggers: [sinkA, sinkB] });
+
+				multiSink.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "explicit" }, undefined, explicitLevel);
+
+				assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, explicitLevel);
+				assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, explicitLevel);
+			});
+
+			it(`Forwards explicit logLevel (${explicitLevel}) unchanged through MultiSink via \`sendPerformanceEvent\``, () => {
+				const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+				const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+				const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({ loggers: [sinkA, sinkB] });
+
+				multiSink.sendPerformanceEvent(
+					{ eventName: "explicitPerf" },
+					undefined,
+					explicitLevel,
+				);
+
+				assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, explicitLevel);
+				assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, explicitLevel);
+			});
+		}
+
+		it("Forwards explicit logLevel through MultiSink -> [Child(sinkA), sinkB]", () => {
+			const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+			const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+			const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({
+				loggers: [createChildLogger({ logger: sinkA }), sinkB],
+			});
+
+			multiSink.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "mixedChain" }, undefined, LogLevel.verbose);
+
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.verbose);
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.verbose);
+		});
+
+		it("Regression: `MultiSinkLogger.send` forwards explicit logLevel to every sink (was previously dropped)", () => {
+			const { sink: sinkA, recorded: recordedA } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+			const { sink: sinkB, recorded: recordedB } = createRecordingSink(LogLevel.verbose);
+			const multiSink = createMultiSinkLogger({
+				loggers: [sinkA, sinkB],
+			}) as MultiSinkLogger;
+
+			multiSink.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "directSend" }, LogLevel.verbose);
+
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedA[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.verbose);
+			assert.strictEqual(recordedB[0]?.logLevel, LogLevel.verbose);
+		});
+	});
 });
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/telemetryLogger.spec.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/telemetryLogger.spec.ts
index 01041d727b26..584ff6a9c687 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/telemetryLogger.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/telemetryLogger.spec.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 import { strict as assert } from "node:assert";
 
 import type { ITelemetryBaseEvent, Tagged } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
+import { LogLevel } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
 
 import {
 	type ITelemetryLoggerPropertyBag,
@@ -17,8 +18,10 @@ import type { TelemetryEventPropertyTypeExt } from "../telemetryTypes.js";
 
 class TestTelemetryLogger extends TelemetryLogger {
 	public events: ITelemetryBaseEvent[] = [];
-	public send(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent): void {
+	public logLevels: (LogLevel | undefined)[] = [];
+	public send(event: ITelemetryBaseEvent, logLevel?: LogLevel): void {
 		this.events.push(this.prepareEvent(event));
+		this.logLevels.push(logLevel);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -197,6 +200,58 @@ describe("TelemetryLogger", () => {
 			}
 		});
 	});
+
+	describe("logLevel forwarding", () => {
+		it("`sendTelemetryEvent` without logLevel forwards LogLevel.essential", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "noLevel" });
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.essential]);
+		});
+
+		it("`sendTelemetryEvent` with explicit LogLevel.info forwards LogLevel.info", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "infoLevel" }, undefined, LogLevel.info);
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.info]);
+		});
+
+		it("`sendTelemetryEvent` with category 'error' forwards LogLevel.essential even when info is requested", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendTelemetryEvent(
+				{ eventName: "errorEvent", category: "error" },
+				undefined,
+				LogLevel.info,
+			);
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.essential]);
+		});
+
+		it("`sendPerformanceEvent` without logLevel forwards LogLevel.essential", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendPerformanceEvent({ eventName: "perfNoLevel" });
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.essential]);
+		});
+
+		it("`sendPerformanceEvent` with explicit LogLevel.info forwards LogLevel.info", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendPerformanceEvent({ eventName: "perfInfo" }, undefined, LogLevel.info);
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.info]);
+		});
+
+		it("`sendPerformanceEvent` with category 'error' forwards LogLevel.essential even when info is requested", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendPerformanceEvent(
+				{ eventName: "perfError", category: "error" },
+				undefined,
+				LogLevel.info,
+			);
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.essential]);
+		});
+
+		it("`sendErrorEvent` forwards LogLevel.essential", () => {
+			const logger = new TestTelemetryLogger();
+			logger.sendErrorEvent({ eventName: "errEvent" });
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(logger.logLevels, [LogLevel.essential]);
+		});
+	});
 });
 
 describe("convertToBasePropertyType", () => {
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/utils.spec.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/utils.spec.ts
index a6498e693174..af1d3e3f43f9 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/utils.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/test/utils.spec.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type {
 	IConfigProviderBase,
 	ITelemetryBaseEvent,
 } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
+import { LogLevel } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
 import type { InternalCoreInterfacesUtilityTypes } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces/internal";
 
 import type { ITelemetryLoggerExt as ITelemetryLoggerExtInternal } from "@fluidframework/telemetry-utils/internal";
@@ -360,6 +361,75 @@ describe("Sampling", () => {
 			);
 		}
 	});
+
+	describe("logLevel forwarding", () => {
+		function createCapturingLogger(): {
+			logger: TelemetryLoggerExt;
+			captures: { method: string; logLevel: LogLevel | undefined }[];
+		} {
+			const captures: { method: string; logLevel: LogLevel | undefined }[] = [];
+			const logger: TelemetryLoggerExt = {
+				send: (_event, logLevel): void => {
+					captures.push({ method: "send", logLevel });
+				},
+				sendTelemetryEvent: (_event, _error, logLevel): void => {
+					captures.push({ method: "sendTelemetryEvent", logLevel });
+				},
+				sendErrorEvent: (_event, _error): void => {
+					captures.push({ method: "sendErrorEvent", logLevel: undefined });
+				},
+				sendPerformanceEvent: (_event, _error, logLevel): void => {
+					captures.push({ method: "sendPerformanceEvent", logLevel });
+				},
+			};
+			const wrapped = mixinMonitoringContext(logger, {
+				getRawConfig: (): ConfigTypes => undefined,
+			}).logger;
+			return { logger: wrapped, captures };
+		}
+
+		it("Forwards explicit logLevel through `sendTelemetryEvent` to the wrapped logger", () => {
+			const { logger, captures } = createCapturingLogger();
+			const sampled = createSampledLogger(logger);
+
+			sampled.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "x" }, undefined, LogLevel.verbose);
+
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(captures, [
+				{ method: "sendTelemetryEvent", logLevel: LogLevel.verbose },
+			]);
+		});
+
+		it("Forwards explicit logLevel through `sendPerformanceEvent` to the wrapped logger", () => {
+			const { logger, captures } = createCapturingLogger();
+			const sampled = createSampledLogger(logger);
+
+			sampled.sendPerformanceEvent({ eventName: "x" }, undefined, LogLevel.info);
+
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(captures, [
+				{ method: "sendPerformanceEvent", logLevel: LogLevel.info },
+			]);
+		});
+
+		it("Forwards explicit logLevel through `send` to the wrapped logger", () => {
+			const { logger, captures } = createCapturingLogger();
+			const sampled = createSampledLogger(logger);
+
+			sampled.send({ category: "generic", eventName: "x" }, LogLevel.verbose);
+
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(captures, [{ method: "send", logLevel: LogLevel.verbose }]);
+		});
+
+		it("Forwards undefined logLevel when caller omits it", () => {
+			const { logger, captures } = createCapturingLogger();
+			const sampled = createSampledLogger(logger);
+
+			sampled.sendTelemetryEvent({ eventName: "x" });
+
+			assert.deepStrictEqual(captures, [
+				{ method: "sendTelemetryEvent", logLevel: undefined },
+			]);
+		});
+	});
 });
 
 describe("tagCodeArtifacts", () => {
diff --git a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/utils.ts b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/utils.ts
index 7f9c8a188846..3dfb49540d04 100644
--- a/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/utils.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/telemetry-utils/src/utils.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Licensed under the MIT License.
  */
 
-import type { ITelemetryBaseEvent } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
+import type { ITelemetryBaseEvent, LogLevel } from "@fluidframework/core-interfaces";
 
 import { loggerToMonitoringContext } from "./config.js";
 import type {
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ export function createSampledLogger(
 		monitoringContext.config.getBoolean("Fluid.Telemetry.DisableSampling") ?? false;
 
 	const sampledLogger = {
-		send: (event: ITelemetryBaseEvent): void => {
+		send: (event: ITelemetryBaseEvent, logLevel?: LogLevel): void => {
 			// The sampler uses the following logic for sending events:
 			// 1. If isSamplingDisabled is true, then this means events should be unsampled. Therefore we send the event without any checks.
 			// 2. If isSamplingDisabled is false, then event should be sampled using the event sampler, if the sampler is not defined just send all events, other use the eventSampler.sample() method.
@@ -75,31 +75,39 @@ export function createSampledLogger(
 				if (isSamplingDisabled && (skipLoggingWhenSamplingIsDisabled ?? false)) {
 					return;
 				}
-				logger.send(event);
+				logger.send(event, logLevel);
 			}
 		},
-		sendTelemetryEvent: (event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt): void => {
+		sendTelemetryEvent: (
+			event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
+			error?: unknown,
+			logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
+		): void => {
 			if (isSamplingDisabled || eventSampler === undefined || eventSampler.sample()) {
 				if (isSamplingDisabled && (skipLoggingWhenSamplingIsDisabled ?? false)) {
 					return;
 				}
-				logger.sendTelemetryEvent(event);
+				logger.sendTelemetryEvent(event, error, logLevel);
 			}
 		},
-		sendErrorEvent: (event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt): void => {
+		sendErrorEvent: (event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt, error?: unknown): void => {
 			if (isSamplingDisabled || eventSampler === undefined || eventSampler.sample()) {
 				if (isSamplingDisabled && (skipLoggingWhenSamplingIsDisabled ?? false)) {
 					return;
 				}
-				logger.sendErrorEvent(event);
+				logger.sendErrorEvent(event, error);
 			}
 		},
-		sendPerformanceEvent: (event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt): void => {
+		sendPerformanceEvent: (
+			event: ITelemetryGenericEventExt,
+			error?: unknown,
+			logLevel?: typeof LogLevel.verbose | typeof LogLevel.info,
+		): void => {
 			if (isSamplingDisabled || eventSampler === undefined || eventSampler.sample()) {
 				if (isSamplingDisabled && (skipLoggingWhenSamplingIsDisabled ?? false)) {
 					return;
 				}
-				logger.sendPerformanceEvent(event);
+				logger.sendPerformanceEvent(event, error, logLevel);
 			}
 		},
 		isSamplingDisabled,