The reliable way to install Valheim mods on a PC is to use the Steam version with the Valheim-specific BepInExPack Valheim loader, then install mods through one profile manager such as Gale, Thunderstore Mod Manager, or r2modman. Create a separate profile, let the manager install dependencies, and always start the game from that profile. Manual installation is also possible by copying the loader into Valheim’s game folder and placing plugin files in BepInEx/plugins.
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This guide covers manager-based and manual Windows setups, the Vortex route, dedicated-server compatibility, safe updating, and the fixes for the folder, launch, dependency, and multiplayer mistakes that prevent mods from loading.
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Use the Steam PC edition
This guide targets the Steam PC build of Valheim. Microsoft Store and Game Pass installations are protected and substantially harder to modify, and Xbox clients cannot load Valheim mods. Crossplay does not change that: an Xbox player remains unmodded even when joining a crossplay session hosted by a PC player.
Close Valheim and Steam before copying files. Back up your worlds and characters first. A content or progression mod can leave unknown items in a save after removal, so a backup is your recovery point.
Understand what BepInEx does
Most Valheim mods do not load by themselves. They use a mod injector called BepInEx. Valheim’s community package is BepInExPack Valheim, not a generic upstream BepInEx download. The pack includes Valheim-specific launch support, preconfigured settings, and compatibility changes. Installing a generic package or the wrong game build is a common reason for a game that starts without any mods.
Choose one installation route
Use one manager workflow for a profile, or install files manually. Do not run two managers against the same Valheim installation. In particular, Vortex and a Thunderstore-style profile manager can both write to BepInEx/plugins; mixing them makes it difficult to know which files and versions are active.
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| Route | Catalog or source | Operating systems stated by the documentation | Profiles and dependencies | How the game starts | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gale | Gale’s supported mod catalog | Windows and Linux | Profile-based; installs declared dependencies | Use Gale’s modded start command | Players who want isolated, repeatable profiles |
| Thunderstore Mod Manager | Thunderstore package catalog | Windows | Profile-based; installs declared dependencies | Use the manager’s modded launch command | Players using Thunderstore packages |
| r2modman | Thunderstore package catalog | Windows, Linux, and macOS | Profile-based; installs declared dependencies | Use the manager’s modded launch command | Players who need cross-platform manager support |
| Vortex | Nexus Mods catalog | Windows support is provided by the Valheim extension | Manages files in the game installation; the extension supplies a tested BepInEx payload and unstripped assemblies | Launch according to Vortex’s enabled deployment | Players already maintaining Nexus-based mods in Vortex |
| Manual | Downloaded release archives | Windows instructions are documented here | No automatic profile or dependency management | Launch through the installed BepInEx loader | Players who want direct file control and transparency |
For a first installation, a fresh profile in Gale, Thunderstore Mod Manager, or r2modman is usually the least error-prone route. Manual installation is useful when a mod is not in a manager’s catalog or when you need to inspect every file.
Install Valheim mods with Gale, Thunderstore Mod Manager, or r2modman
1. Install a manager and select Valheim
- Install one manager: Gale (Windows/Linux), Thunderstore Mod Manager (Windows), or r2modman (Windows/Linux/macOS).
- Open it and choose Valheim from the supported games list.
- Allow the manager to locate your Steam installation. If it asks for a game path, select the folder that contains
valheim.exe, not a parent Steam library folder.
2. Create a clean profile
- Choose Create profile (the wording can vary slightly by manager).
- Give the profile a useful name, such as
Vanilla-test,Co-op-light, or the name of a server. - Keep the profile separate from any existing mod list. A clean profile lets you disable the entire set without deleting files and gives you a known-good baseline for troubleshooting.
3. Install the loader first
- Open the profile’s online mod catalog.
- Search for BepInExPack Valheim and install it before any gameplay mod.
- Wait for the manager to finish deployment. The loader is the foundation on which the other plugins run.
4. Add a mod and its dependencies
- Search for the mod you want and select Install.
- Accept the manager’s prompt to install required dependencies. Shared libraries such as Jötunn and JsonDotNET are examples of dependencies that larger mods may declare.
- Read the mod’s description and readme even when the manager reports a successful install. Look for a required Valheim version, a server component, configuration instructions, or a specific load order.
- Add one mod at a time. Start with a small set so the first error identifies a particular package instead of an unknown interaction among dozens of files.
EpicLoot is a useful example of why this matters: it has real dependencies and can require both the server and every participating client. A manager can fetch its declared libraries, but it cannot decide whether your dedicated server also needs the package.
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5. Launch from the profile
- Click Start modded or the manager’s equivalent launch button.
- Do not start Valheim directly from Steam while testing a profile. A profile manager attaches its loader and selected files when it starts the game; a normal Steam launch can bypass that attachment.
- Wait for the BepInEx console or log to appear. Confirm that BepInEx initializes and that the installed plugin names are listed without errors.
Once the small test profile works, add the rest of your list in batches. Keep a copy of the working profile so a later change can be rolled back.
Manual installation on Windows
Manual installation is a file-copy process. It gives you a clear view of what is in the game folder, but you must install dependencies, update files, and remove old versions yourself.
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- In Steam, open your Library.
- Right-click Valheim and choose Manage → Browse local files.
- Leave this folder open. It must contain
valheim.exe.
2. Download and extract BepInExPack Valheim
- Download the BepInExPack Valheim archive using its Manual Download option.
- Extract the archive somewhere outside the Valheim game directory, such as a temporary folder on your desktop. Extracting directly into the game folder can create an extra nested directory and hide the files you need to move.
- Open the extracted
BepInExPack_Valheimfolder. - Move everything inside that folder into the Steam Valheim directory—the folder containing
valheim.exe.
The resulting root should look like this:
Valheim/
BepInEx/
doorstop_config.ini
winhttp.dll
valheim.exeBepInEx, winhttp.dll, and doorstop_config.ini must sit beside valheim.exe. A layout such as Valheim/BepInExPack_Valheim/BepInEx is one level too deep and will not load correctly.
3. Install a plugin
- Download the mod archive and inspect its readme before copying anything.
- Check the listed dependencies and whether the package contains a complete plugin folder or a single DLL.
- Place the plugin DLL, or the packaged plugin folder specified by the author, under
Valheim/BepInEx/plugins. - For example, Jötunn’s documented installation places
Jotunn.dllin that plugins folder.
Do not put every file from an archive into plugins blindly. Some packages include configuration files, documentation, or dependency folders that belong in different locations. Follow the package’s own readme when it differs from the simple DLL example.
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4. Test before adding more
- Start Valheim after the loader and one plugin are in place.
- Check the BepInEx console or log for a successful loader message and the plugin’s name.
- Close the game, correct any error, and only then add the next mod.
Using Vortex instead
Vortex supports Valheim through its Nexus Mods extension. Because Valheim has no official mod support, the extension requires the BepInEx injector and provides a tested BepInEx payload. It also downloads unstripped assemblies used by mods that need them for compatibility.
- Install and open Vortex, then add Valheim under the managed games list.
- Let the Valheim extension install or update its tested BepInEx payload and any required unstripped assemblies.
- Download a Valheim mod from the Vortex-supported catalog.
- Install and enable the mod in Vortex, then follow the extension’s launch and deployment prompts.
- Start the game through the workflow Vortex provides and verify the BepInEx log.
Use Vortex as the sole manager for that installation. Do not also deploy a Thunderstore Mod Manager or r2modman profile into the same Valheim folder, because both systems can manage BepInEx/plugins and overwrite or duplicate each other’s files.
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| File or folder | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
valheim.exe |
Valheim game root | The executable that the loader attaches to |
BepInEx |
Beside valheim.exe |
Loader folders, configuration, logs, and plugins |
winhttp.dll |
Beside valheim.exe |
Doorstop injection component supplied by the pack |
doorstop_config.ini |
Beside valheim.exe |
Loader launch configuration |
| Plugin DLLs | Valheim/BepInEx/plugins |
Individual mod assemblies, such as Jotunn.dll |
Multiplayer: who needs the mod?
There is no single multiplayer rule for every Valheim mod. Read the package’s client-side and server-side labels and installation notes before joining a world.
Client-side mods
A client-side quality-of-life mod can affect only the player who runs it. Other players may be able to join without installing it, although the mod’s own notes are authoritative.
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Server-side mods
A server-side package must be installed on the dedicated server. Players may still need a matching client component, depending on how the mod synchronizes data.
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World, progression, and content mods commonly require the dedicated server and every participating client to use compatible versions. If one person has a different version—or lacks a required dependency—the session can fail to connect, reject a character, or behave unpredictably. Thunderstore’s Valheim directory identifies client-side and server-side categories, but the individual package readme takes precedence.
Dedicated-server checklist
- Record the exact mod names and versions used by the host.
- Install the loader and server-side packages in the server’s Valheim installation, not only on a desktop client.
- Give every player the same required client packages and compatible versions.
- Confirm dependencies on both sides.
- Test with a copy of the world before opening a heavily modded save to the group.
A managed Valheim server host can simplify file access and restarts, but hosting availability, region, pricing, and mod support differ by provider. Treat the host’s current documentation as the authority for its server environment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Updating safely after a Valheim or mod update
Updates can break several parts of the chain: the game itself, the BepInEx payload, unstripped assemblies, or an individual plugin. A game update that appears harmless can prevent the loader from starting or cause a mod to fail during world loading.
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- Back up characters and worlds before updating.
- Note the working profile and mod versions.
- After a major game update, update BepInExPack Valheim or the manager’s tested payload first.
- Update required assemblies and dependencies.
- Update individual mods one at a time, launching after each change.
- Read each mod’s compatibility notes before opening your main world.
- If the game fails, disable the newest mod first and test the clean loader profile.
Do not assume that a manager’s successful download means a package is compatible with the current Valheim build. The Vortex extension documentation specifically warns that payloads and assemblies can become outdated after game updates.
Troubleshooting common failures
The game launches, but no mods load
- Confirm this is the Steam PC edition.
- For a manager profile, start with the manager’s modded launch command rather than Steam’s Play button.
- For a manual setup, verify that
BepInEx,winhttp.dll, anddoorstop_config.iniare besidevalheim.exe. - Check the BepInEx console or log for loader errors.
BepInEx files are present but still do not work
Open the game root and look for an extra nested directory. If the path is Valheim/BepInExPack_Valheim/BepInEx, move the contents of BepInExPack_Valheim up one level. The loader files must be directly beside valheim.exe.
A plugin is not detected
- Verify that the DLL is under
Valheim/BepInEx/plugins. - Read the mod’s dependency list and install missing shared libraries.
- Check whether the archive expected a complete subfolder rather than a loose DLL.
- Look for the plugin name and any exception in the BepInEx log.
The game crashes after adding a mod
- Remove or disable the newest mod and launch again.
- If the crash stops, check that mod’s required dependencies and supported game version.
- Reinstall the current BepInEx payload if the game was recently updated.
- Add the mod back only after its dependencies and compatibility are confirmed.
Multiplayer refuses the connection
- Compare the client-side and server-side labels.
- Install the required server package on the dedicated server.
- Give every player the same required mod and dependency versions.
- Test with a profile containing only the loader and the multiplayer mod to isolate a conflict.
Removing a mod damages a save
Restore the character or world backup. Progression and content mods can leave items or data that the unmodded game does not understand. Do not keep experimenting on the only copy of that save.
Choosing the right workflow
- Choose Gale, Thunderstore Mod Manager, or r2modman when you want isolated profiles, automatic declared dependencies, and a simple enable/disable workflow.
- Choose Vortex when your existing Valheim collection is on Nexus Mods and you want its deployment system and tested payload in one place.
- Choose manual installation when you need exact file control, are following a mod author’s custom instructions, or are installing a package unavailable in your manager’s catalog.
Whichever route you choose, keep one manager per installation, launch through the route that installed the loader, and verify the BepInEx log before expanding your mod list. That process prevents most folder, dependency, and multiplayer errors before they reach a valuable world save.
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