How to Mod Valheim: Everything You Need to Know

Valheim’s already one of the best survival games ever made, but let’s be honest, once you’ve built your tenth Viking longhouse and beaten the same few bosses, you start craving something new.

That’s where mods come in.

From small quality-of-life tweaks to full overhauls, modding can breathe fresh life into your world.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to do it. Installing mods in Valheim is easier than you think - once you know the right tools to use.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to mod Valheim properly: how to install BepInEx, use r2modman or Vortex without breaking your game, and safely run mods on both PC and dedicated servers.

Ready? Let’s get into it:

Valheim Modding The Fast Way: Using a Mod Manager

There are two ways to mod Valheim: the hard way (manual installs) - and the easy way.

We’re going with the easy way.

A mod manager does all the heavy lifting for you. It keeps your game folder clean, handles dependencies automatically, and lets you switch between modded and vanilla profiles with a single click.

The two main tools most players use are r2modman and Vortex. Both work brilliantly - they just come from different modding communities:

• r2modman comes from Thunderstore, and it’s perfect for Valheim’s style of modding.

• Vortex comes from Nexus Mods, and is great if you already use it for other games.

Let’s run through both, starting with the one the community swears by.

r2modman (Thunderstore) - The Easiest Way to Get Started

If you’re new to Valheim modding, r2modman is your best friend. It’s clean, lightweight, and handles all the tricky bits automatically. Think of it as your “mod control centre” - install, update, and launch everything from one place.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Download r2modman from the Thunderstore page.

2. Open it, pick Valheim from the list, and click Select Game.

3. Create a Profile. Profiles are like separate save slots for mods - you can have one for solo play and another for your multiplayer world.

4. Head to Settings -> Locations and make sure it’s pointing to your Valheim install folder (Steam usually handles this automatically).

5. Go to Online, search for BepInExPack (Valheim), and hit Download with dependencies. This installs the core framework that all mods rely on.

6. Now you’re free to browse and install mods straight from the list.

7. When you’re done, click Start Modded - and that’s it.

No file moving, no guessing which folder to use. It just works.

r2modman also shows which mods need updates, which are incompatible, and which have been deprecated - so you can avoid the “why is my world crashing?” headache before it even starts.

Vortex (Nexus Mods) - Ideal if You Already Use Nexus

If you’ve been modding games like Skyrim or Fallout before, Vortex will feel familiar. It’s Nexus Mods’ official manager - and once you get past the setup, it’s rock solid.

Here’s how to set it up for Valheim:

1. Download and install Vortex from the Nexus Mods website.

2. Open it, click Games, and search for Valheim.

3. Under Unmanaged, hit Manage to add Valheim to Vortex.

4. When prompted, let it install BepInEx automatically - that’s the same framework we used with r2modman.

5. From there, head to Mods -> Get More Mods to browse what’s available on Nexus.

6. When you find one you like, click Mod Manager Download.

7. Back in Vortex, just click Enable and Deploy to finish.

8. Launch Valheim through Vortex to start your modded game.

Vortex shines if you already use it for other games. It’s not quite as plug-and-play as r2modman, but once configured, it’s every bit as stable.

r2modman vs Vortex: Which Should You Use?

Both managers do the same job - they install, organise, and update your Valheim mods - but they take slightly different routes to get there.

If you’re only modding Valheim, go with r2modman. It’s built around Thunderstore (where most Valheim mods live), has a cleaner interface, and makes switching profiles ridiculously easy. It’s basically made for this game.

If you already mod other games through Nexus Mods, stick with Vortex.

Still confused? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Core Requirement: Install BepInEx

No matter which mod manager you use, every Valheim mod depends on BepInEx.

Think of it as the foundation - it’s what allows mods to actually hook into the game. Without it, nothing loads.

Thankfully, both r2modman and Vortex can install it for you automatically.

Installing BepInEx with a Mod Manager (Recommended)

If you’re using r2modman or Vortex, this part’s practically done already:

• In r2modman, just search for BepInExPack (Valheim) and hit Download with dependencies. It’ll set up all the required folders for you.

• In Vortex, it installs automatically the moment you click “Manage” on Valheim.

Once that’s done, launch your game once using “Start Modded” or the “Launch” button in Vortex.

This first boot creates the full BepInEx folder structure, including the “plugins” folder, where all your mods will live.

That’s it - the backbone of your modding setup is ready.

Installing Your First Mod (Step-by-Step)

With BepInEx installed, you’re to install your first mod.

Here’s how to do it safely and properly:

1. Find a Mod You Like

The two main mod hubs for Valheim are:

• Thunderstore.io – best for r2modman users.

• Nexus Mods – ideal if you’re using Vortex.

Browse around - popular choices include Better Archery, Craft From Containers, and Epic Loot.

Each page lists what the mod does, its dependencies, and whether it’s client-side, server-side, or both.

2. Install It the Easy Way (Using Your Manager)

Here what you need to do to install:

• In r2modman, click the Online tab, search the mod’s name, and press Download with dependencies.

• In Vortex, hit Mod Manager Download on the Nexus page, then Enable and Deploy inside Vortex.

That’s it. Your manager handles the file placement, versioning, and load order for you.

3. Client-Side vs Server-Side Mods

• Client-Side Mods only affect your local experience - things like graphics, interface tweaks, or movement speed.

• Server-Side Mods change gameplay rules (for example, stamina, loot, or difficulty). Everyone connecting to your world usually needs the same mod and version installed.

If you join a server and see “incompatible version,” it’s almost always because of a mismatch here.

4. Launch and Verify

Open Valheim using “Start Modded” (r2modman) or “Launch” (Vortex).

You’ll see a small BepInEx console window appear when it starts - that means mods are loading. Once you’re in-game, check the main menu or log file to confirm your plugins are active.

Boom. That’s your first mod installed.

Modding a Valheim Server (Play With Friends)

Playing solo with mods is fun.

Playing with friends on a modded server? That’s where Valheim really comes alive.

Whether you’re hosting from your own PC or using a dedicated Valheim server, the key is simple - everyone needs to have the same mods and versions, so everyone can play together.

Here’s how to keep everything synced and stable:

1. Keep Client & Server Mods in Sync

• On your PC, open the /BepInEx/plugins/ folder.

• On your server, there’s a folder with the same name.

• The content of both should match - same mods, same versions.

If you’re using r2modman, it can export a full mod profile, so you can share your setup with friends in one file. That way, everyone’s running an identical loadout.

2. Test Mods in Single Player First

Before you push new mods to your server, test them locally.

It’s the best way to catch errors early without crashing your shared world or corrupting save files.

3. Back Up Your World Regularly

Modded worlds can get unpredictable when new updates drop.

Before installing or removing any mod:

• Back up your world files (found in AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local)

• Back up your plugins and config folders

If something breaks, you can roll back and keep playing.

4. One-Click Server Modding (Easiest)

If you’d rather skip all the manual file-syncing, you can use Kinetic Hosting’s Valheim servers. They come pre-configured for modding with:

• One-click BepInEx & popular mod installs

• Automatic daily backups

• Low-latency performance (no lag spikes mid-raid)

• 24/7 support from actual humans

It’s the easiest way to host a stable modded world - no uploads, no FTP, no crashes when someone adds the wrong file.

Common Errors & Quick Fixes

Even when you follow the right setup, mods can still misbehave.

Below are the most common Valheim mod issues & and how to solve:

Game Launches Without Mods

If Valheim loads normally, but none of your mods appear, don’t panic.

You probably launched the vanilla game instead of the modded one.

Try this first:

• In r2modman, always click Start Modded, not “Start Game.”

• In Vortex, open the Mods tab and make sure everything is Enabled and Deployed.

• Double-check that BepInEx is in the same folder as valheim.exe. If it’s in the wrong directory, Valheim won’t detect it.

• Finally, make sure your manager is pointing to the right game install - Steam sometimes duplicates folders during updates or reinstalls.

Once those are corrected, restart the game. If you see a small BepInEx console window open before the main menu, your mods are loading properly.

Black Screen or Game Crashes on Startup

If Valheim boots and then immediately hangs, goes black, or crashes, it’s usually one of two things: a bad mod or a missing dependency.

Start by removing the last mod you added and relaunching the game. Nine times out of ten, the issue disappears.

If it doesn’t, try these steps:

• Check that each mod you’ve installed is compatible with the current Valheim version.

• Visit the mod’s page on Thunderstore or Nexus to see if it needs other mods (known as dependencies) - some won’t run without them.

• Delete the folder:  Valheim\BepInEx\config

• This resets your mod configurations back to default and can fix bad settings that crash the game.

“Incompatible Version” When Joining a Server

You load into Valheim, click on your friend’s world, and - boom - “incompatible version.”

This almost always means your mod setup doesn’t match the server’s.

Here’s how to sort it fast:

• Both your client and the server must have the same mods, same versions, and same load order.

• In r2modman, use the Export Profile option - it packages all your active mods, so your friends can import them with one click.

• Make sure everyone (and the server) is running the same Valheim build number. Even a small patch mismatch can block connections.

Once everyone’s aligned, relaunch and you’ll connect smoothly.

Mods Stop Working After a Game Update

Valheim updates can occasionally break mod compatibility - especially major ones.

If everything worked yesterday but now half your mods are gone or buggy, here’s what to do:

1. Check for updates on Thunderstore or Nexus - most mod authors push fixes quickly after big patches.

2. If no update is live yet, disable that mod temporarily rather than forcing it.

3. You can also revert Valheim to an older version in Steam by going to:
   Properties -> Betas ->  select previous version.

4. If you’re using a dedicated server, hold off updating it until you’ve tested locally that all your mods still run.

When in Doubt, Start Clean

If nothing works, and you’re stuck in a crash loop, don’t nuke your game.

Instead, move your entire /BepInEx/plugins/ folder somewhere safe on your desktop, launch Valheim vanilla, and confirm it runs. Then add your mods back one by one.

This “step-back” method is the fastest and safest way to pinpoint the problem mod - and it doesn’t risk your worlds or characters.

Ready to Make Valheim Yours?

And that’s it, your full guide on how to mod Valheim without breaking your game (or your patience).

If you’re hosting for friends, the best thing you can do is keep everything synced, backed up, and stable. That’s exactly what Kinetic Hosting Valheim servers are built for:

• Automatic daily backups

• Lag-free performance even with big builds and heavy mods

• 24/7 support that actually responds

For more information, contact us today.