diff --git a/internal/queue/queue.go b/internal/queue/queue.go
index aab9819..b248add 100644
--- a/internal/queue/queue.go
+++ b/internal/queue/queue.go
@@ -283,6 +283,13 @@ func (q *Queue) Stop() {
 	q.running = false
 }
 
+// IsRunning returns true if the queue is currently processing jobs
+func (q *Queue) IsRunning() bool {
+	q.mu.RLock()
+	defer q.mu.RUnlock()
+	return q.running
+}
+
 // PauseAll pauses any running job and stops processing
 func (q *Queue) PauseAll() {
 	q.mu.Lock()
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 185c749..fd6421b 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -1880,6 +1880,11 @@ func buildConvertView(state *appState, src *videoSource) fyne.CanvasObject {
 			dialog.ShowError(err, state.window)
 		} else {
 			dialog.ShowInformation("Queue", "Job added to queue!", state.window)
+			// Auto-start queue if not already running
+			if state.jobQueue != nil && !state.jobQueue.IsRunning() {
+				state.jobQueue.Start()
+				logging.Debug(logging.CatUI, "queue auto-started after adding job")
+			}
 		}
 	})
 	if src == nil {