How to Install Palworld Server Mods

For those who want to add more content and features to their Palworld server, knowing how to install mods are required. There are two different ways to get these working on your server. It depends on the type of mod you downloaded and want to use. Whether they’re minor or major changes, you have a way to get it working! In this Nitrado guide, we’ll show you how to install mods on your Palworld server 👏

Preparation

If you haven’t already, you can find Palworld mods by searching on CurseForge, Nexusmods, or Steam Workshop. Find all the mods you want to install and keep their official pages open.
 
Only mods built to run on a server work on your server. For a Steam Workshop mod, open its Info.json file and check that it contains "IsServer": true.
 
Start your server once from the Nitrado Web Interface and wait until it is online. Your server creates the Mods folder and the PalModSettings.ini file when it starts, so they are not there before the first start. If you do not see them, start the server again instead of creating the folders yourself.
 
When getting started, stop your server from the Nitrado Web Interface. This is required. Afterwards, we strongly recommend checking for any instructions on the mod’s page or description. The process to install it depends on the type of mod.
 
This will help when you begin following instructions to install mods on your Palworld server. As for accessing the server files, you can navigate to Tools > File Browser from your Dashboard or use FTP Programs.

Installing Mods on Your Palworld Server

Review the following sections and follow the instructions for your mod(s).

Every step below happens on your server, in the File Browser or an FTP program, unless the step says it happens on your PC. Use the type of mod you downloaded to pick your section:

• Pak mods: A single .pak file that changes game content such as items, models, or values, so follow the Pak Mods section.
• Steam Workshop mods: A mod you subscribe to on Steam Workshop, with an Info.json file inside its folder, so follow the Steam Workshop Mods section.
• Lua mods: A folder of .lua script files that runs through the UE4SS framework, so follow one of the UE4SS sections.

Pak Mods

1. Navigate to: palworld > Pal > Content > Paks
2. Open the ~mods folder.
3. Upload your .pak file directly into this folder.
4. Repeat this process for all other mods.
5. Start up the server.
6. Check the mod’s page to see if players also need the mod. If they do, each player copies the same .pak file on their PC into C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Palworld\Pal\Content\Paks\~mods, creating the ~mods folder there if it is missing.

Steam Workshop Mods

1. On your PC, subscribe to the mod on Steam Workshop. Steam downloads it to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\1623730, and each mod has its own numbered folder there. If your Steam library is on a different drive, look in [Drive]:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\workshop\content\1623730 instead.
2. Navigate to: Mods > Workshop
3. Upload the entire mod folder into this folder.
4. Go back to the Mods directory and open PalModSettings.ini.
5. Set bGlobalEnableMod=true.
6. Add your mod package name under the list: ActiveModList=YourModPackageName
7. Use the PackageName value from the mod’s Info.json file, not the folder name or the Workshop title, and add one ActiveModList line for each mod.
8. Return to the Nitrado Web Interface and start the server.
9. Check the mod’s page to see if players also need the mod. If they do, each player subscribes to the same mod on Steam Workshop and turns on mods in Options > Mod Management.

Steam Workshop Mods (UE4SS)

⚠️ If you previously downloaded UE4SS manually (from NexusMods or other sources), you MUST delete dwmapi.dll and xinput1_3.dll in Palworld\Pal\Binaries\Win64 before using Workshop UE4SS, or you will experience crashing.

1. Navigate to: Mods > Workshop
2. Upload the entire mod folder into this folder.
3. Your server moves the mod files into Mods > NativeMods by itself when it starts, so do not upload anything into that folder.
4. Go back to the Mods directory and open PalModSettings.ini.
5. Set bGlobalEnableMod=true.
6. Add your mod package name under the list: ActiveModList=YourModPackageName
7. Use the PackageName value from the mod’s Info.json file, not the folder name or the Workshop title, and add one ActiveModList line for each mod.
8. Return to the Nitrado Web Interface and start the server.

 
Client-Side Requirement:

1. Going through Options > Mod Management and set “Enable Mod” to ON.
2. Make sure that the checkbox for UE4SS Experimental (Palworld) is checked.
3. Click Save and it should ask you to restart the game.

UE4SS ( 3.0.1)

1. Navigate to: palworld > Pal > Binaries > Win64
2. Upload the dwmapi.dll, UE4SS.dll, and UE4SS-settings.ini files directly into this folder.
3. Go back and open the Mods folder.
4. Upload your specific UE4SS mod script folders into this Mods folder.
5. Return to the Nitrado Web Interface and start the server.

UE4SS (Experimental & Palworld Fork)

1. Navigate to: palworld > Pal > Binaries > Win64
2. Upload the dwmapi.dll file directly into this folder.
3. Upload the entire ue4ss folder into this directory.
4. Upload your specific UE4SS mod scripts into their designated folder.
5. Return to the Nitrado Web Interface and start the server.

Palworld Modding FAQ

Why are my mods not working, or only partially working?

• Client vs. Server Split: Certain mod features execute locally on the player’s game client, while others run on the server. If a mod requires installation on both sides and a player is missing client files, only the server-side portions will function.
• Outdated Mods or Game Updates: Game updates frequently break script hooks (UE4SS) or asset references. A mod might partially work if basic assets load, but broken script functions will fail silently in the background.
• Missing Dependencies: Many advanced mods rely on prerequisite frameworks (like UE4SS or PalSchema). If a dependency is missing or installed incorrectly, main functions of the mod will not execute.
• Mod Conflicts: Running multiple mods that attempt to modify the same game logic, assets, or configuration settings can cause features from one or both mods to stop functioning.

Why is my server stuck in a “Restarting” loop?

Restart loops mean the game engine is crashing on boot. This typically occurs if manual proxy files (dwmapi.dll or xinput1_3.dll) remain in Pal\Binaries\Win64 while using Workshop UE4SS. It can also stem from typos in PalModSettings.ini, corrupted uploads, or outdated mods missing dependencies.

What happens when Palworld releases an official update?

Official patches often break mods, especially UE4SS script hooks and native Workshop mods. Disable mods temporarily by setting bGlobalEnableMod=false in PalModSettings.ini or clearing Pal\Content\Paks\~mods until creators release compatible updates.

Is there a limit to how many mods I can install?

Nitrado does not enforce a hard cap, but hardware limits still apply. Every mod increases server RAM usage and lengthens boot times. Stacking too many mods also increases file conflict risks, causing partial mod failures or crashes.