How to install a modpack on a Valheim server?

Want mods on your Valheim server without the grind? Import your Thunderstore/r2modman profile in minutes using a .r2z file. Follow along and let BepInEx load every plugin server-side.

Prerequisites

• Access to your Oxygenserv panel (login and password)
• Thunderstore Mod Manager or r2modman installed on your PC
• Valheim profile exported as a .r2z file
• Valheim server installed on Oxygenserv and stopped
• BepInEx (Valheim) enabled/present on the server
• Valheim client using the same modpack to join
• Optional: SFTP (FileZilla/WinSCP) if you prefer FTP upload

Step-by-step

1. Export your modpack from Thunderstore/r2modman
   Open Thunderstore Mod Manager (or r2modman) and select your Valheim profile. Click “Settings” then “Export profile as a file”. If available, include dependencies, and save the .r2z file (e.g., MyValheimPack.r2z). This archive contains the server-side plugins and configs. If you use multiple profiles, export the one you actually play with.
2. Upload the .r2z file to the server
   Log in to your Oxygenserv panel and open “Files”. Upload the .r2z to the server’s root folder (same level as start_server.sh or valheim_server.x86_64). You should see it appear in the file list (e.g., MyValheimPack.r2z). Via SFTP, drop it in the server root so the installer can detect it. If upload fails, check file size and your connection.
3. Enable/install BepInEx for Valheim
   In the panel, go to the “Startup” or “Mods” tab. Toggle BepInEx (Valheim) to Enabled or click “Install BepInExPack”. Save, start the server once to generate folders, then stop it. You should now see BepInEx/ with BepInEx/plugins and BepInEx/config. If BepInEx doesn’t show in logs, re-enable it and restart.
4. Install the modpack (.r2z) with the built-in importer
   Open the “Mods” or “Startup” tab > “R2Z Import” section. Depending on the UI, pick your file from a dropdown or paste the exact filename (e.g., MyValheimPack.r2z). Some installers ask for the name without extension — then enter MyValheimPack (without .r2z). Click “Install”: mods go to BepInEx/plugins and configs to BepInEx/config. If you see “Invalid archive” or nothing happens, re-export your profile and rename the file with simple ASCII characters.
5. Start and verify everything works
   Click “Start”. Watch the console: you should see BepInEx lines (e.g., “BepInEx 5.x loaded”) and plugins being loaded. In the file manager, confirm BepInEx/plugins contains your mods. Join from your client using the same Thunderstore/r2modman profile. If you get a “mod mismatch” or crashes, align versions and remove the last-added mod.

Tips & optimization

– Keep it reasonable: 20–60 mods is a sweet spot. Too many = longer loads and more conflicts.
– Back up before imports: copy BepInEx/ and your world. It saves headaches.
– Memory: 4–6 GB RAM for modded servers with 10+ players. Monitor RAM/CPU in the panel and scale up if needed.
– Update via profile: re-export a clean .r2z when you add/remove mods, then reinstall. Avoid manual plugin mixing.
– Consider “ServerSync” when available: it syncs BepInEx/config to players and reduces client-side errors.

FAQ

Do players need to install the mods client-side too?

Yes. Most Valheim mods require both client and server. Easiest fix: have players use the same Thunderstore/r2modman profile you exported. Launch the game from that profile.

BepInEx isn’t loading on the server, what now?

Make sure BepInEx (Valheim) is Enabled in Startup/Mods, restart the server, and check that BepInEx/ exists. If logs show nothing, reinstall “BepInExPack (Valheim)”, then start and stop once to generate folders before installing mods.

.r2z import fails (“Invalid archive”) or no mods appear

Re-export using “Export profile as a file” (don’t zip it yourself). Rename to simple ASCII (e.g., VhPack.r2z), upload to the root folder, and try again. Also make sure the server is stopped during installation.

Your Valheim server is now modded and stable. Keep iterating: export, import, test. Fast, clean, controlled.

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