Mods extend and customise your game server experience, adding new content, mechanics, and quality-of-life features for your players. Most popular dedicated game servers support modding through Steam Workshop or manual file installation. This guide covers how to install mods on a dedicated server, how to manage them, and where to find the tools you need. For game-specific documentation, always refer to the official modding resources for your game.

⚡ Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

🎮 Applies to: Ark Survival Evolved, Project Zomboid, Palworld, and most Steam-based game servers

What Tools Are Needed for Modding a Dedicated Server?

  • SteamCMD: the command-line Steam client used to download and update game servers and Workshop mods. Required for most Steam-based game servers.
  • SSH access: you need command-line access to your server to install mods and edit configuration files.
  • A text editor: nano or vim for editing game configuration files directly on the server.
  • Mod IDs: each Steam Workshop mod has a unique numeric ID visible in the Workshop page URL (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=MOD_ID).

How to Install Mods via Steam Workshop

Most Steam-based game servers support Workshop mods by adding mod IDs to the server's launch parameters or configuration file. Here is the general process, using Ark Survival Evolved as an example.

Step 1: Find the mod ID

Go to the Steam Workshop page for the mod you want to install. The mod ID is the number at the end of the URL. For example: steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=731604991 has the mod ID 731604991.

Step 2: Add the mod ID to your server configuration

For Ark Survival Evolved, add the mod IDs to the GameUserSettings.ini file in a comma-separated list:

bash
nano /home/steam/ark/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini

Add or update the ActiveMods line under [ServerSettings]:

bash
[ServerSettings]

ActiveMods=731604991,880197445

Step 3: Download the mods using SteamCMD

bash
steamcmd +login anonymous +workshop_download_item 346110 731604991 +quit

Replace 346110 with your game's Steam App ID and 731604991 with your mod ID. Repeat for each mod.

Step 4: Restart the server

bash
sudo systemctl restart gameserver

✅ Expected result The server loads with the installed mods active. Players connecting will be prompted to download required mods via Steam.

How to Install Mods Manually (Non-Workshop)

Some mods are distributed as ZIP or archive files from community forums or modding websites rather than Steam Workshop. The general installation process for manual mod installation is:

  • Download the mod archive from the official modding community (e.g., Nexus Mods, the game's official forum).
  • Extract the mod files to the game's mod directory. The correct path varies by game: check the game's official modding documentation for the exact folder structure.
  • Edit the game's configuration file to reference the new mod (mod ID, file path, or mod name depending on the game).
  • Restart the server and check the logs to confirm the mod loaded correctly.

How to Manage Mods on a Dedicated Server

  • Updating mods: re-run the SteamCMD workshopdownloaditem command for each mod to download the latest version. Some server operators schedule automatic updates with a cron job.
  • Removing mods: delete the mod ID from the ActiveMods list in the configuration file and remove the mod files from the server. Restart the server to apply the change.
  • Checking compatibility: before adding mods to a live server, check the mod's documentation and the game's community forums for known conflicts with other installed mods or the current game version.
  • Backup before modding: always back up your server's world data and configuration files before adding or updating mods. A broken mod can corrupt save data. See our dedicated server backup guide for the recommended backup process.

Can I Add Mods to an Existing Server?

Yes. You can add mods to a running game server at any time. The process is the same as for a fresh install: add the mod ID to the configuration file, download the mod via SteamCMD, and restart the server. Players already connected will be disconnected during the restart and will need to download any new mods before reconnecting. For more on managing a game server, see our guide on setting up a dedicated game server.

FAQ

Can I use Workshop mods on dedicated servers?

Yes, for most Steam-based games that support Workshop modding. The server administrator adds the mod IDs to the server's configuration, and the mods are downloaded via SteamCMD. Players connecting to the server are automatically prompted to download any required mods through Steam.

Where do I find mod IDs for installation?

Mod IDs are in the Steam Workshop page URL for the mod. Go to the mod's Workshop page in your browser; the ID is the number after ?id= in the URL. For non-Workshop mods, check the modding documentation for your specific game.

What should I do if a mod breaks my server?

First, check the server logs (sudo journalctl -u gameserver -f) for error messages that identify which mod is causing the issue. Remove the problematic mod ID from your configuration file and restart the server. If the world data is corrupted, restore from your most recent backup.

Conclusion

Adding mods to a dedicated server is a straightforward process once you know where to find mod IDs and how to edit the configuration files. The key steps are: find the mod ID, add it to the config, download via SteamCMD, and restart. Keep backups before making changes, check mod compatibility, and use the server logs to diagnose any issues. Running your modded server on a Kimsufi dedicated server gives you the root access and dedicated resources to customise your game environment exactly as you want it.

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