Do players have to install the mods themselves?

Yes, for most mods. Unlike other games, Valheim does not push the server's mods to players. Everyone installs the same mods in the same version, and the easiest way is an r2modman profile exported as a code.

Mods broke after a Valheim update, what now?

That is normal while mod authors catch up. Disable the affected mods, check the last update date on Thunderstore and re-enable them once a compatible version is out. Always keep a copy of your world.

Does a mod installed only on the server work?

Some mods are server-side only, for example those that raise the player cap or add admin tools. The mod's Thunderstore page says whether players also need it.

Where do the mod files go?

The .dll files go into BepInEx/plugins, at the root of the game or the server. Settings live in BepInEx/config and are created on first launch.

How to Mod Valheim: BepInEx, Mod Manager & Best Mods

TL;DR

Almost every Valheim mod runs on BepInEx. In single player, the easiest way is r2modman: BepInExPack Valheim, then the mods, then "Start modded". On a server, install BepInExPack into the server folder, drop the .dll files into BepInEx/plugins, and have players install the same mods. Our Valheim servers give you full file access to do it.

Mods keep Valheim fresh: more storage, better building, new items, a cleaner UI. Here is how to install them properly, on your PC and on a server. If your server does not exist yet, start with How to set up a Valheim dedicated server.

⚙️ Before you start

Almost every Valheim mod runs on BepInEx, a mod loader.
Mods are mostly hosted on Thunderstore and Nexus Mods.
On a server, most mods must be installed on both the server and every player, same version.
After a game update, some mods break until their authors update them.
Always back up your world before adding mods.

⚙️ Easy way: r2modman (recommended)

Install r2modman (a Thunderstore mod manager).
Select Valheim and create a profile.
Install "BepInExPack Valheim", then the mods you want. r2modman handles dependencies automatically.
Launch with "Start modded".
For friends: Settings > Export profile as code. They import the code and get the exact same mods.

⚙️ Manual install

Download BepInExPack Valheim from Thunderstore.
Copy the contents of the BepInExPack_Valheim folder into your game folder (next to valheim.exe).
Launch the game once so BepInEx creates its folders.
Drop mod .dll files into BepInEx/plugins.

⚙️ Installing mods on a dedicated server

Install BepInExPack Valheim into the server folder (same method).
On Windows, the usual server launch loads BepInEx. On Linux, start the server with start_server_bepinex.sh (edit it with your parameters) instead of the original script.
Copy the same .dll files into the server's BepInEx/plugins.
Mod settings live in BepInEx/config. For many mods, the server's config overrides the players'.

On a Valheim server rented from LordHosting, these steps happen from the panel's file manager or over SFTP: you upload the BepInEx pack and the .dll files, no command line needed.

Same version everywhere

A player running a mod in a different version than the server gets disconnected or sees odd behaviour. An r2modman profile code is the safest way to keep everyone aligned.

⚙️ Popular mod categories

Category	Examples
Libraries	Jotunn (required by many mods)
Quality of life	More storage, crafting from nearby chests, shared map
Building	More pieces, precise placement
Content	New weapons, creatures, biomes, better loot (Epic Loot)
Server	Raise the player cap, admin tools

Pick mods updated recently (dates are on Thunderstore) and compatible with your game version.

⚙️ Ready-to-paste configuration

The Linux launch script for a server with BepInEx, placed at the root of the server next to start_server_bepinex.sh. Replace the three values at the top.

#!/bin/sh
# Replace: display name, world name, password (5 characters minimum)
NAME="My Viking Server"
WORLD="MyWorld"
PASS="secret123"

export DOORSTOP_ENABLE=TRUE
export DOORSTOP_INVOKE_DLL_PATH=./BepInEx/core/BepInEx.Preloader.dll
export DOORSTOP_CORLIB_OVERRIDE_PATH=./unstripped_corlib
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="./doorstop_libs:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"
export LD_PRELOAD="libdoorstop_x64.so:$LD_PRELOAD"
export SteamAppId=892970

./valheim_server.x86_64 -nographics -batchmode -name "$NAME" -port 2456 -world "$WORLD" -password "$PASS" -public 1 -crossplay

The DOORSTOP lines come from the BepInEx pack: they load the mod loader before the server. Without them, the server starts with no mods at all.

✅ Conclusion

r2modman in single player, BepInExPack plus the .dll files in BepInEx/plugins on the server, and the same mod list for every player: that is the whole method. Start with a few quality-of-life mods, then add content. To administer a modded server, see Valheim console commands and cheats.

Modded worlds need more memory. Our Valheim servers give you full file access to install BepInEx and your mods, with the Jarl and Valkyrie tiers built for heavy packs.

FAQ

All the answers to frequently asked questions about Valheim mods are in the FAQ box below. If a question is missing, contact LordHosting support via Discord or by ticket.