Valheim Mod Installation Guide
This guide covers installing the BepInEx mod framework on your Valheim dedicated server, adding mods from Thunderstore and Nexus Mods, and configuring popular mod packs like Valheim Plus. For basic server setup and connection instructions, see Valheim Dedicated Server Setup Guide.
BepInEx Mod Framework
BepInEx is the standard mod loader for Valheim. Nearly all Valheim mods require it. It must be installed in the server root directory.
Installing BepInEx on Your Server
- Download the latest BepInEx for Valheim release from the Thunderstore page or the BepInEx GitHub releases page. Use the Unix/Linux x64 build for dedicated servers.
- Extract the downloaded archive. You should see a
BepInEx/folder and adoorstop_libs/folder along with some files at the root level. - Connect to your server via SFTP (see How to Upload Files via SFTP).
- Upload all extracted files and folders into the server root directory (the same directory that contains
valheim_server.x86_64). - Restart the server from GPanel. BepInEx will generate its folder structure on first run.
BepInEx/ folder containing plugins/, config/, and patchers/ subdirectories. All mods go into BepInEx/plugins/.
Verifying BepInEx Is Working
After restarting, check the server console output in GPanel for BepInEx initialization messages. You should see lines similar to:
[Message: BepInEx] BepInEx 5.x.x.x - valheim_server
[Info : BepInEx] Loading [BepInEx.Chainloader]
If these messages do not appear, see Valheim Troubleshooting for solutions.
Installing Mods
Once BepInEx is installed, adding mods follows the same process for most plugins:
- Download the mod from Thunderstore.io or Nexus Mods.
- Extract the downloaded archive.
- Copy the mod's
.dllfile (and any required config or asset files) into your server'sBepInEx/plugins/directory via SFTP. - Restart the server.
Mod Directory Structure
After installing a few mods, your server's BepInEx directory should look like this:
/ (server root)
BepInEx/
config/ ← mod configuration files (auto-generated on first run)
plugins/ ← place mod .dll files here
patchers/ ← preloader patchers (rarely used)
doorstop_libs/ ← BepInEx doorstop library
Valheim Plus
Valheim Plus is one of the most popular server modification packs. It provides extensive configuration options for game mechanics, player stats, building, and more.
Installing Valheim Plus
- Download the latest server build of Valheim Plus from the Thunderstore page or the GitHub releases page. Ensure you download the Unix/Linux server build.
- Extract the archive. It includes BepInEx and the Valheim Plus plugin together.
- Upload all contents to your server root directory via SFTP, overwriting existing BepInEx files if prompted.
- Restart the server. The configuration file will be generated at:
BepInEx/config/valheim_plus.cfg - Edit
valheim_plus.cfgvia SFTP to enable and configure the features you want. Each section has anenabledtoggle at the top. - Restart the server after making configuration changes.
Popular Server-Compatible Mods
| Mod | Description | Install Location |
|---|---|---|
| Epic Loot | Adds magic item drops and affixes | Server + Client |
| Plant Everything | Enhanced farming and planting options | Server + Client |
| Jotunn (JVL) | Mod framework/library required by many mods | Server + Client |
| Server Characters | Locks character data to the server to prevent cheating | Server only |
| WardIsLove | Extended ward/ownership management | Server + Client |
Related Articles
- Valheim Dedicated Server Setup Guide — Startup configuration, connecting, and world saves
- Valheim Troubleshooting — Common issues and solutions
- How to Upload Files via SFTP