How to Install BepInEx Mods on Your Valheim Server

MANAfuel Team

5 min readMay 27, 2026Updated May 2026

Valheim server BepInEx mod installation through MANAfuel dashboard

Set up BepInEx on your MANAfuel Valheim server and install popular mods like Valheim Plus, Epic Loot, and custom build tools.

Choose Between Vanilla and BepInEx
Valheim has two server modes on MANAfuel: Vanilla (crossplay-compatible, no mods) and BepInEx (modded, PC-only). If you want mods, deploy the BepInEx variant. Crossplay does not work with BepInEx — console and Game Pass players cannot join a modded server. All players on a BepInEx server must install the same mods on their client.
Deploy a BepInEx Valheim Server
Open the MANAfuel dashboard and click Deploy. Select Valheim, then choose the BepInEx server type. Pick your plan (Starter comes with 4 GB, Gamer with 8 GB — recommended for modded play). Your server deploys with BepInEx pre-installed and configured. No manual framework setup required.
Install Mods via the Mod Installer
Navigate to your server panel and open the Mod Installer tab. Search the Thunderstore mod library by name or category. Click Install on any mod — Bob backs up your server, downloads the mod to the correct BepInEx/plugins directory, and checks for dependencies. Popular starting mods include Valheim Plus (quality-of-life overhaul), Epic Loot (RPG loot system), and PlantEverything (expanded farming).
Configure Mod Settings
Most BepInEx mods generate a .cfg file in BepInEx/config/ on first load. Open the File Manager tab, navigate to the config directory, and edit settings inline. For Valheim Plus, the valheim_plus.cfg file has hundreds of toggles organized by category — building, gameplay, stamina, inventory, and more. Changes take effect after a server restart.
Keep Client and Server Mods in Sync
Valheim requires client-side mod installation for most BepInEx mods. Share your mod list with players or create a Thunderstore modpack profile they can import with r2modman or Thunderstore Mod Manager. If a player joins without matching mods, they may experience desyncs, invisible objects, or connection failures. Bob detects version mismatches during connection and logs them for your review.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from BepInEx to Vanilla without losing my world?

Yes. Your world save is independent of the mod framework. Create a save point, deploy a new Vanilla server, and transfer the world files via the File Manager. Modded structures that use custom items may revert to their base-game equivalents.

How many mods can a Valheim server handle?

Most servers run 15 to 30 mods comfortably on a Gamer plan. Performance depends on the specific mods — world generation mods and mods that add many entities have the highest impact. Bob monitors server tick rate and flags mods that cause performance degradation.

Do crossplay players work with BepInEx?

No. BepInEx servers are PC-only. Xbox and Game Pass crossplay requires the Vanilla server type without mods. You cannot run both simultaneously on the same server — choose one mode based on your community.

Troubleshooting