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Installing Valheim Mods (BepInEx & ValheimPlus)

How to install mods on your Valheim server at RespawnHost: set up BepInEx, ValheimPlus via a panel field, Thunderstore, server- vs. client-side and the folder structure.

Last updated August 29, 2026 · RespawnHost

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Installing Valheim mods

Almost all Valheim mods build on the BepInEx mod loader. You get the mods themselves from Thunderstore (the central Valheim mod database) and install them via the file manager or SFTP. This guide shows the reliable way — plus the shortcut for ValheimPlus right in the panel.

Important: server, client or both?

Before you start — not every mod belongs on the server:

  • Client only (UI, graphics, minimap mods): run locally in each player’s game, do nothing on the server.
  • Server only (e.g. backup/server logic): server only, apply automatically for everyone.
  • Both (most gameplay mods): must be installed on the server and on every player.

Warning

Valheim does not sync mods automatically. All players need the same mods — for mods with enforced version checks even the same version, otherwise you get kicked on join. Whether a mod is server-/client-side and whether it enforces versions is stated on its Thunderstore page.

Shortcut: BepInEx or ValheimPlus via the marketplace

You don’t have to install the mod loader by hand: open the Marketplace in your server’s panel and pick Vanilla, BepInEx or Valheim Plus — the panel sets up the matching startup command and installs the loader. Switching reinstalls the server software while keeping your world; leave the “create backup” option enabled anyway.

For ValheimPlus (V+) — the most popular QoL mod — the [V+] Version startup variable then controls which version is loaded: latest or a fixed version number, restart the server, done.

ValheimPlus settings (stamina, building, inventory, rates, map sharing …) live in BepInEx/config/valheim_plus.cfg. The file is created on the first server start with Valheim Plus. You don’t have to edit it by hand: under Configuration in the panel you’ll find all 61 sections with every value, an explanation and a “section enabled” toggle per section — change, save, restart the server. Important: a section only takes effect if its enabled is set to true.

Game config in the RespawnHost panel: valheim_plus.cfg as a form with sections, toggles and an explanation for every value
The valheim_plus.cfg under "Game Config" — every section has a "section enabled" toggle, every value an explanation

Note

ValheimPlus still needs to be installed on every player too (same version). The original project valheimPlus/ValheimPlus is no longer actively maintained — the current continuation is the fork Grantapher/ValheimPlus.

Installing BepInEx mods manually

For all other mods, set up BepInEx once:

  1. Download BepInExPack Valheim (namespace denikson) from Thunderstore.
  2. Extract the archive. Upload the contents of the BepInExPack_Valheim folder (not the folder itself) via the RespawnHost panel file manager (or SFTP) into your server’s root directory — i.e. the BepInEx/ folder, doorstop_config.ini and start_server_bepinex.sh.
  3. Upload your mod .dll files into BepInEx/plugins/. Their config files land automatically in BepInEx/config/.
  4. Restart the server. The log should show “BepInEx” bootstrap messages.
File manager in the RespawnHost panel showing the root directory of a Valheim server including start_server.sh, steamapps and valheim_server_Data
The server root directory with start_server.sh — extract the BepInEx package here; plugins then go into BepInEx/plugins/

Tip

To manage your mod collection, the local manager r2modman (or Thunderstore Mod Manager) is worth it: it resolves dependencies automatically. Upload the resulting plugins to BepInEx/plugins/ on the server.

Removing a mod

Just delete the relevant .dll from BepInEx/plugins/ and restart the server. Best to create a backup first.

FAQ

Why does nothing happen after installing? Most likely it’s a client-only mod — it only affects the player’s game, not the server. Check the Thunderstore page for whether the mod is server-side.

Do my fellow players need to install the mods too? For “both” and client mods, yes — everyone needs the same mod version. Server-only mods run on the server alone.

Do mods survive a game update? Your files stay in place. After big Valheim updates a mod can become incompatible — then grab an updated version. With auto-update enabled you may need to wait briefly for mods to catch up.

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