Installing mods from the Mods page
Short answer: Go to [Your Server] > Mods, find the mod on the Browse tab, select it and choose Install Mod. Steam Workshop mods stop the server while they download; Modrinth, CurseForge and Thunderstore mods don’t. Restart (or start) the server afterwards to load the mod.
Before you begin
Section titled “Before you begin”- You need: the server owner’s account, or a subuser with file permissions.
- Do first: create a backup (see How to create and restore a backup).
- Check the mod supports your game version (and, for Minecraft, your mod loader).
- Time needed: 5 to 20 minutes, depending on size.
What this guide covers
Section titled “What this guide covers”- Where mods come from for your game
- Installing a mod or a collection
- Following progress
Where your mods come from
Section titled “Where your mods come from”The Mods page shows the right catalogue for your game:
| Game | Source |
|---|---|
| Steam games with Workshop support (for example ARK, Project Zomboid, Conan Exiles, Arma 3, DayZ, Space Engineers) | Steam Workshop |
| Minecraft (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Paper) | Modrinth or CurseForge, filtered to your loader and version |
| Valheim (BepInEx mods version) | Thunderstore |
For the Steam games listed, mods are also switched on in the game’s config for you. Other Steam games only download the files: see your game’s guide for how to activate them. If the page says “Mods for this game come from elsewhere”, see your game’s guide.
- Create a backup.
- Go to [Game Panel] > [Your Server] > Mods.
- On Browse, search for the mod or sort the list (for example Most Subscribed or Trending).
- Select the mod to see its details, then Install (or Install Mod in the details window).
- Read the message in the window:
- Steam: “the server will be stopped while the mod downloads”. The server stays offline afterwards.
- Other sources: the mod downloads without stopping the server.
- Select Install Mod. For a group of mods, use the Collections tab and Install Collection.
- Follow progress on the Queue tab. Required extra mods (dependencies) are installed automatically for Modrinth, CurseForge and Thunderstore.
- When it finishes, start or restart the server on the Console page.
Expected result
Section titled “Expected result”The mod appears on the Installed tab, and the console shows it loading when the server starts.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Installing during play. Steam installs stop the server. Warn players first.
- Wrong version or loader. The mod won’t load, or the server won’t start.
- Forgetting that players need the mod too. See Players need the same mods: joining a modded server.
- Installing many mods at once. If something breaks, you won’t know which one. Add a few, test, then add more.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Install fails, with an entry under Recent Failures on History | Download failed, or not enough disk space | Open the entry for the details; check disk use; try again |
| Installed, but not in game | The mod isn’t activated, or needs a restart | Restart; check your game’s guide |
| Server won’t start after installing | Incompatible mod | Remove it: see Removing mods safely |
| “Update available” on Installed | A newer version exists | Select Update (back up first) |
When to contact support
Section titled “When to contact support”Contact support if a mod installed from the Mods page fails to install or isn’t activated, and the error under History doesn’t explain why. Include the mod name and the error text. We can’t fix bugs inside third-party mods, or mods installed by hand. See How to contact support with useful diagnostic information.
Related guides
Section titled “Related guides”Last reviewed: 2026-10-05 · Applies to: Game Panel (HiCiTools 3.0.2)