How to install BepInEx mods on a Valheim server

Most Valheim mods are built for BepInEx, a mod loader. Your Nexcon Valheim server can run it with one switch.

1. Turn on BepInEx

In your dashboard, go to Settings, turn on Enable BepInEx mods, save, and restart once. The server creates the BepInEx folders on first start.

2. Upload your mods

1. Download the mod, usually from Thunderstore or Nexus Mods. Most mods are a .dll file, sometimes with extra files.
2. Upload it to BepInEx/plugins/ using the Mods tab, the file manager or SFTP. Keep any folder structure the mod came with.
3. Restart the server.

3. Change mod settings

After the first start with a mod, its settings file appears in BepInEx/config/. Edit it in the file manager, then restart.

4. Make sure players have the same mods

Most gameplay mods must be installed on both the server and every player’s game, with matching versions. A mod manager such as r2modman makes this easy: create a profile, export it as a code and share it with your group. A few mods, like some admin tools, are server-only. The mod page will say.

5. When Valheim updates

Game updates can break mods until their authors update them. Before updating, take a backup from the Backups tab. If the server won’t start afterwards, disable mods one by one from the Mods tab to find the culprit.