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How to Install Mods and Plugins on a Valheim Server

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This guide is going to go over the process of installing mods on your Valheim server. Mods are a great way to add content or features to your server.

Note: Remember to restart your server after enabling, disabling, or deleting mods to apply your changes.

Note on Valheim Mods vs. Plugins

In the context of Valheim, the terms mod and plugin are often used interchangeably by the community, but technically refer to two different layers of the game's modding framework:

  • Mod (General Term): The broad umbrella term for any user-made modification to the game. This is the term most people use and know, which we will use throughout our article below.

  • Plugin (Technical Term): Specifically refers to the compiled code file (a .dll file) loaded into memory by BepInEx, the underlying Unity modding framework.

Step 1: Install BepInEx or Valheim Plus

  1. Go to your Nodecraft Dashboard and click Panel next to your Valheim server.

  2. Select One-Click Installer under Server Files in the left menu.
    The Valheim server panel with One-Click Installer highlighted under the Server Files section in the left navigation menu.

  3. Locate BepInEx Valheim or Valheim Plus under Modded and click Install.
    Dark server dashboard with One-Click Installer; shows Valheim Plus installed, catalog search, and mod cards with Install buttons.

  4. Choose your version and installation method (use Merge to keep existing server data), then click Install.

    The BepInEx Valheim installation page showing the selected BepInEx version, the available install method options, Merge selected, and the Install button highlighted.

Step 2: Add Your Mods

Navigate to the Mods tab in your control panel and choose one of two installation methods:

  • Thunderstore Integration (Recommended):

    1. Click Install from Thunderstore to browse available mods.
      A Nodecraft control panel interface displaying BepInEx Mods settings for a Valheim game server, with options to drag and drop mod files and a button to install from Thunderstore.

    2. Click Install on your desired mod.
      The Browse Thunderstore popup modal in the Nodecraft panel displaying available Valheim mods, including PlantEverything and EpicLoot, sorted by most downloaded.

    3. Review any listed dependencies, and click Install to confirm.
      A confirmation modal titled

  • Manual Upload: Drag and drop your mod files directly into the Mods Manager. (Note: Manual uploads do not automatically install required dependencies).


    A Nodecraft control panel interface displaying BepInEx Mods settings for a Valheim game server, with options to drag and drop mod files and a button to install from Thunderstore.

Step 3: Apply Changes

Restart your server after installing, updating, or removing mods for the changes to take effect.

Managing Installed Mods

Manage active mods directly from the Installed Mods list in your panel:

  • Disable or Enable: Use the toggle switch next to any mod to quickly turn it on or off without deleting its files.

  • Mod Actions Menu: Click the action menu (three dots) next to a mod to access additional options:

    • Open File Location: Jump directly to the mod’s folder in the file manager.

    • Open Mod Config: Open the mod's configuration file and make changes directly from in the file manager.

    • Delete Mod: Completely remove the mod from your server.

Note: Remember to restart your server after enabling, disabling, or deleting mods to apply your changes.

The Installed Mods section in the Nodecraft panel listing active Valheim mods, including EpicLoot, JsonDotNET, and PlantEverything, with action menus opened for managing a mod.

Conclusion

Your Valheim server is ready to go! Start exploring mods to customize your world, add new features, or tweak gameplay to your liking. If you ever run into performance or compatibility issues, you can always restore your server using your earlier backup.

Need Help?

If you have questions or run into any issues, our support team is here to help! Reach out using the support widget on our website or visit our support center for further assistance.