diff --git a/dzgui/api/steam.py b/dzgui/api/steam.py
index 002dcce..060e552 100644
--- a/dzgui/api/steam.py
+++ b/dzgui/api/steam.py
@@ -305,8 +305,6 @@ def _get_running_app() -> int | None:
         return None
 
 
-# TODO: write tests
-# TODO: consider moving to proc module
 def get_running_app() -> int | None:
     PROC_NAME = "steam"
     SUBPROC_NAME = "reaper"
@@ -329,7 +327,6 @@ def get_running_app() -> int | None:
     return None
 
 
-# TODO: write tests
 def get_app_allows_downloads(path: Path, appid: int) -> bool:
     root_path = get_app_path(path, appid)
     acf = root_path.joinpath(f"steamapps/appmanifest_{appid}.acf")
diff --git a/dzgui/managers/connection.py b/dzgui/managers/connection.py
index 95ab69d..896969f 100644
--- a/dzgui/managers/connection.py
+++ b/dzgui/managers/connection.py
@@ -12,8 +12,11 @@ import dzgui.api.servers as Servers
 
 from dzgui.api.steam import (
     connect,
-    get_remote_signatures,
+    get_app_allows_downloads,
+    get_app_name,
     get_needs_update,
+    get_remote_signatures,
+    get_running_app,
     load_to_menu,
     subscribe,
 )
@@ -82,6 +85,7 @@ class Prerequisites:
     mods: list[list[str]]
     game_mode: bool
     is_last_server: bool
+    allows_downloads: tuple[bool, str]
 
 
 class ConnectionManager:
@@ -167,6 +171,15 @@ class ConnectionManager:
 
         dayz_running = is_dayz_running()
 
+        running_app = get_running_app()
+        if running_app is not None:
+            allows_dl = get_app_allows_downloads(steam_path, running_app)
+            running_app_name = get_app_name(running_app)
+            allows_downloads = (allows_dl, running_app_name)
+        else:
+            allows_downloads = (True, "")
+
+
         client_name = self.controller.get_steam_client_name()
         client = self.controller.query_config(Preferences.CLIENT)
         running = is_steam_running(client)
@@ -192,6 +205,7 @@ class ConnectionManager:
             mods=remote_mods,
             game_mode=game_mode,
             is_last_server=is_last,
+            allows_downloads=allows_downloads,
         )
 
         func = StoredFunc(self.controller.open_connection_assistant, prereqs)
diff --git a/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py b/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py
index 463228d..88499db 100644
--- a/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py
+++ b/dzgui/views/pages/preconnect.py
@@ -272,6 +272,15 @@ class PreConnectionAssistant(Gtk.Box):
                 "It looks like DayZ is already running in the background. Exit DayZ before connecting."
             )
 
+        allows_dl, running_app = prereqs.allows_downloads
+        if allows_dl is False:
+            msg = (
+                f"The game '{running_app}' is currently running in Steam, but background downloads are not enabled.\n"
+                "Either stop the game first, or update your global Steam settings or the game's local settings.\n"
+                "Otherwise, mods may be queued for download but never update."
+                )
+            warnings.append(msg)
+
         self.add_warnings(warnings)
         self.add_errors(errors)