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How to Mod Your Valheim Dedicated Server: A Comprehensive Guide

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The vast and unforgiving world of Valheim is made even more engaging with the addition of mods. These community-created enhancements can drastically alter gameplay, adding everything from new items and creatures to quality-of-life improvements. If you’re running a dedicated Valheim server, you’re in luck; modding is entirely possible, though it requires a slightly different approach than modding your local client. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get your server modded and ready for a truly unique Viking adventure.

Getting Started with Valheim Server Mods

The key to modding your Valheim dedicated server lies in understanding that mods are typically installed in two main areas: the server itself and often, the clients that connect to it. Not all mods require client installation, but many do, particularly those that add new content.

Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how to get mods working on your Valheim dedicated server:

Install BepInEx: BepInEx is the foundational framework that many Valheim mods rely on. It acts like a mod loader, allowing the game to recognize and execute custom code. You’ll need to install BepInEx on your server.
Transfer Mods to Your Server: Once BepInEx is in place, you can add your chosen mods. These mods often come as .dll files or folders that must be placed in the correct location on the server.
Install Necessary Client-Side Mods: If the mods you are adding require clients to have the same mods installed, you will need to install them on every PC that connects to the server.
Configure Server Settings: If you are using any mods that impact the world generation or play experience you will need to configure them. Usually, the configs are in a directory on the server.
Restart Your Server: After making any changes to your server’s mods, you’ll need to restart it for the changes to take effect.
Connect and Play: With everything installed and configured, connect to your modded server and begin your modded Valheim experience!

Detailed Steps for Server Modding

Let’s look at the steps involved in greater detail:

Installing BepInEx on Your Dedicated Server

Locate Your Server Files: Access your Valheim dedicated server files. This will vary depending on how your server is hosted. If you are using a service, you’ll need to find the file manager or SFTP access that is available.
Download BepInEx for Valheim: Go to a trusted source like the BepInEx website or a Valheim modding community hub to download the correct version of BepInEx for the game. Usually, a zip file is provided containing everything you need.
Extract BepInEx Files: Extract the contents of the BepInEx zip file into your server’s root directory. This means the same location as the Valheim_server.exe file. The extracted files should create a folder called “BepInEx” alongside the executable.
Ensure Proper File Structure: Inside the BepInEx folder, you should find a “plugins” folder. This is where most of your server mods will reside.

Transferring Mods to Your Server

Download Your Desired Mods: Find the mods you want to use on the server. Make sure the mods you choose support servers and are compatible with the current version of Valheim. The most popular mods for Valheim are usually hosted on sites like Thunderstore.
Extract Mod Files: Extract the mod files or folders into a location on your local machine. You will usually see either .dll files or folders that have that same name.
Upload Mod Files to Server: Use FTP or your server’s file manager to navigate to the /BepInEx/plugins directory on your server. Upload the extracted mod files or folders into this directory.
Configure Mods: Some mods require configuration changes. These are usually made using .cfg files found alongside the mod’s .dll files.

Installing Client-Side Mods

Navigate to Your Valheim Local Files: Using Steam, right click on Valheim, and go to Manage>Browse Local Files.
Navigate to BepInEx: Double click the BepInEx folder, then double click the plugins folder.
Copy Mod Files: Copy the same mod folders or files that you put on your server here.
Launch the Game: Launching the game with the mods installed should apply the new mods to your local client.

Restarting Your Server

After adding or removing mods, always restart your server to ensure changes are applied correctly.

Key Considerations for Modding Valheim Servers

Mod Compatibility: Not all mods work well together. Always check for known conflicts in the mod descriptions or forums.
Mod Updates: Mods are frequently updated. Regularly check for updates to ensure your server remains stable and bug-free.
Backup Your World: Before making significant changes, always back up your server’s world files. This ensures you can revert to a working state if something goes wrong.
Client-Server Synchronization: Make sure your clients also have the correct mods installed if required for the mods you have chosen to work correctly. Usually, the server will have the same mods as the client, but not always.
Mod Load Order: Some mods may be sensitive to the order they are loaded. While BepInEx usually handles this well, some mod configurations may require specific loading orders that are documented by the mod authors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is BepInEx, and why is it necessary for modding Valheim?

BepInEx is a powerful plugin framework that allows mods to be injected into Unity and .NET framework games, such as Valheim. It acts as the foundational platform for most mods, enabling them to function within the game’s environment.

2. Can I use any mod on my dedicated server?

No, not all mods are compatible with dedicated servers. Always check the mod’s description and community discussions to ensure it’s designed for server use. Most popular mods do include server compatibility.

3. How do I install mods manually?

For manual installation: Download the mod’s ZIP file, open your Valheim’s BepInEx/plugins folder (both on the server and the clients), and then extract the contents of the ZIP directly into that folder.

4. How do I update my mods on a Valheim server?

To update mods, stop the server, delete the old mod files from your server’s /BepInEx/plugins directory, download the newest version of the mod, and then upload the new files to the same location. Ensure you restart your server after any changes.

5. Where are the Valheim dedicated server files stored?

On Windows, dedicated server files are typically stored in [Drive Letter]:%UserProfile%AppDataLocalLowIronGateValheim. If you use a server provider, they usually have a built-in file manager, or an SFTP option.

6. How do I add an existing world to my Valheim dedicated server?

Upload the world files (.db and .fwl files) to your server’s SaveDir/worlds folder through your server provider’s file manager, then change the world name in the control panel’s settings.

7. How do I use dev commands on my Valheim dedicated server?

Enable the console by adding “-console” to the launch options on the PC clients. In game press F5 to open the console, and then enter “devcommands” to enable them. Now you can start using any of the available dev commands. Note, that some commands will only work if you are an admin user on the server.

8. Can clients use mods that are not installed on the server?

Generally, no. Most mods require the client to have the same mods as the server to function correctly. Client-server mod synchronisation is necessary to prevent issues with mod conflicts.

9. How do I backup my Valheim server world?

Navigate to your server’s save directory, typically found in AppDataLocalLowIronGateValheimworlds and copy the .db and .fwl files to a safe location.

10. What is the best way to find new Valheim mods?

The most popular site for Valheim mods is Thunderstore. This is also a good place to browse and find new mod releases.

11. How do I set up Valheim Plus on a dedicated server?

To install Valheim Plus, you will need to upload the Valheim Plus mod files, and then configure the Valheim Plus configurations in the config files. Valheim Plus is a fairly extensive mod that is often configured extensively on server.

12. How do I install mods on BepInEx?

To install mods, you will want to browse to the BepInEx/plugins folder of your game installation, and then place any mod files you wish to use in that folder.

13. Where do I find my Valheim world files?

Your world files are located in %appData%..LocalLowIronGateValheimworlds. The specific files you need are the .fwl and .db files.

14. What do I do if my server crashes after installing mods?

Check mod compatibility, update mods, check load order, and ensure all required dependencies are present. If problems persist, revert to a backup before mods were installed.

15. Can I use mods from CurseForge on my Valheim server?

While CurseForge is primarily for Minecraft and other games, it is not a common mod repository for Valheim. You should use other sites like Thunderstore or Nexus Mods to find popular Valheim mods.

By following this comprehensive guide and addressing common FAQs, you should be well-equipped to mod your Valheim dedicated server effectively, providing a customized and enhanced gaming experience for you and your fellow Vikings.