How to Install Valheim Mods on a Dedicated Server
Valheim dedicated-server mods are commonly installed with BepInExPack Valheim, which loads community plugins from the server while compatible client plugins are installed by individual players when required.
What you need before installing Valheim server mods
Valheim server modding requires a compatible game build, the Valheim-specific BepInEx loader, each plugin’s dependencies and a backup of the current world. Mods are community-developed, so a game update can temporarily break them even if the unmodded server still starts normally.
Before changing anything, download a complete backup of the world and record the current server version. If you are renting hosting, open your provider’s control panel and check whether BepInEx is an available startup or installation option. A supported panel installer is usually simpler than manually copying framework files.
Client-only, server-only and shared mods
Valheim mods differ in where they must run, and this determines whether players can connect successfully. Installing every plugin on every machine is unnecessary and can sometimes cause conflicts.
| Mod type | Installed where? | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Client-only | Each player’s game | Interface or local visual changes |
| Server-only | Dedicated server | Administration or certain server rules |
| Client and server | Both sides, compatible versions | Shared content, items or gameplay changes |
Check the mod author’s requirements rather than guessing from its name. Plugins that add content frequently need compatible copies on the server and all participating clients. For a friend group, maintain one documented mod list with version numbers.
Install BepInExPack Valheim on a managed host
Most managed-host installations use a BepInEx toggle, installer or startup profile in the game control panel. The exact menu differs, but the workflow is consistent.
- Stop the Valheim server and make an independent world backup.
- Find the server software or modding framework setting in the host’s control panel.
- Choose BepInEx or the provider’s Valheim-specific loader option. Avoid changing to an unrelated game framework.
- Apply the installation or startup change and let the server boot once.
- Confirm that the
BepInExdirectory andBepInEx/LogOutput.logwere created. - Stop the server before uploading additional plugins.
If the provider does not offer an installer, request the exact supported manual installation procedure. Some platforms overwrite the server root during updates, so a generic file-copy tutorial may not match their environment.
Install BepInEx manually on a dedicated server
Manual BepInEx installation uses the Valheim-specific pack rather than an arbitrary generic BepInEx archive. Get the current BepInExPack Valheim listing on Thunderstore and read its version-specific instructions.
- Stop the dedicated-server process and save a copy of the launch script.
- Extract the pack and copy its server files into the Valheim dedicated-server root, beside the server executable.
- Start the server using the loader’s server startup method. On Linux, the pack includes a BepInEx server startup script; use the bundled instructions for the current release.
- Check the generated log before installing further mods.
- Shut the server down cleanly and copy approved plugin files to
BepInEx/plugins/. - Start the server again and check the log for plugin loading messages or errors.
Valheim dedicated server/
BepInEx/
plugins/ # plugin DLLs and their folders
config/ # generated plugin settings
LogOutput.log # loader and plugin diagnostics
Do not replace official game executables or copy unsupported binaries from random downloads. After a major Valheim update, verify the loader and each dependency supports the current server build before updating the production instance.
Install plugins and dependencies correctly
BepInEx loads supported plugin DLLs from the BepInEx/plugins directory, while many mods generate configuration files under BepInEx/config after their first successful start. Some plugins require shared libraries such as Jötunn or companion content packs.
Download the plugin and all dependencies from a reputable source. Install one or a small number at a time, start the server, and confirm the loader reports successful loading. This makes it much easier to identify which dependency broke startup than uploading a huge modpack all at once.
A dependency can be present but incompatible, so a clean directory structure alone does not guarantee success. Pay attention to game version, loader version and library version together.
Keep every player’s modpack compatible
Shared Valheim mods often require matching plugin versions on the server and the clients. If one player has a different content mod, they may be disconnected or experience missing items and synchronization errors.
Use a mod manager such as r2modman or Thunderstore Mod Manager to distribute a repeatable profile. Keep client-only modifications separate from the required shared set, and update the group after any server-side change. For cross-platform groups, confirm the chosen plugins work with the PlayFab crossplay backend and the players’ platforms before committing the server to a modded configuration.
Diagnose missing plugins and failed connections
A modded Valheim server should produce a current BepInEx log showing the framework and its loaded plugins. If the log is missing, the framework may not have started. If a named plugin fails, examine its dependencies and game-version compatibility first.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
No LogOutput.log | Loader not starting | Recheck the selected mod framework and launch script |
| Plugin does not appear | Wrong path or dependency | Check BepInEx/plugins and plugin documentation |
| Player is kicked on join | Required mod/version mismatch | Compare server and client modlists |
| Server crashes after an update | Incompatible loader or plugin | Disable recent plugins, update dependencies, restore if necessary |
| World content is missing | Mod removed or incorrect save | Stop and restore a known-good backup |
If a clean, unmodded Valheim server also fails to connect, troubleshoot ports and server discovery instead of attributing every error to BepInEx.
Choose a host for modded Valheim
A good Valheim mod host offers BepInEx installation, SFTP or file-manager access, readable logs and backups that can be restored before a risky update. Additional RAM may help with some larger modpacks, but memory requirements vary by the actual plugins rather than the mere fact that mods are installed.
Compare the provider’s real hosting plan and management options in our best Valheim server hosting guide. For hardware sizing, see Valheim dedicated server requirements; for setup without mods, start with the dedicated server installation guide.
Sources
The technical settings and procedures in this guide are based on the game developer documentation and named community tooling linked below.
