How to Install Mods on a 7 Days to Die Server

Surviving in 7 Days to Die can be an exciting adventure, but some players may want to add custom features for more thrilling and challenging experiences. These additional aspects are called mods, which are not officially supported by Steam or the game developers. Because of this, the modding process for 7DTD can be tricky for some people. This is especially true for server owners who want to add mods, as playing with friends and modified features can be a lot of fun. In this Holy Hosting tutorial, we will guide you through the necessary steps to install mods on a 7 Days to Die server and client.

Downloading Mods

Go to the 7 Days To Die Nexus website and find a desired mod.

Note: You can use this alternative service to download mods if you wish.

Once you find a mod, open its page and click "Manual" to access the download area.

Continue by selecting a download option, but for most people, it will be "Slow Download."

Note: Mods sometimes have multiple main files, allowing you to choose the exact type to download. Click "Manual Download" on the one you want, then proceed as usual.

Wait for the files to download and move them to an easily accessible location.

Installing Mods on the Client

Before installing mods on the server, and before connecting to it, you need to install them on Steam.

Close 7 Days to Die if it is running, then open Steam and go to your Library.

Find 7 Days to Die in your games list and right-click on it.

Hover over "Manage" and then click "Browse Local Files."

Create a new directory called "Mods" in the newly opened folder that contains all the game files.

Extract the mod files into the new directory using 7zip or WinRAR.

Note: After extraction, it should reveal the mod folder and the .XML file, among others, inside it.

Following these steps, you have successfully modded 7 Days to Die! Make sure not to delete any compressed mod files, as you will need them later. Also, check that all mod folders contain .XML files. These are required along with all other content for the mods to work properly.

Installing Mods on the Server

Now that your mods are installed in the game, it’s time to upload them to the server. This process requires an external FTP program, as some mod files are too large to upload via the web. The application is designed to access your server files and allows faster upload speeds.

Download your preferred FTP program, such as FileZilla, and run it.

• Go to your Holy server panel, and near the top left, click "FTP File Access." Copy the FTP Address, Port, and Username.

• Return to FileZilla or your preferred program and enter the copied information in the respective fields.

Note: The password for the server panel is the one used for the Password field.

• Once the program is connected, enter your 7 Days to Die server profile if it is enabled in the panel.

• Then, right-click anywhere in the server files and select "Create Directory," naming it "Mods."

Note: If you use a different FTP application, creating a new directory may vary.

• Next, locate the compressed mod files on your computer and drag them into the new directory. Wait until everything finishes, then return to the "FTP File Access" area of your server panel.

• Log in with your password and go into the "Mods" folder.

• Select all compressed files and click "Unzip" in the top-right corner, then click "Submit."

Once complete, return to the main panel and restart the server to confirm.

Disabling EAC in 7 Days to Die

In some cases, Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) needs to be disabled for a mod to function fully. To do this, navigate to "Config Files" from the server panel and click "Main 7 Days To Die Configuration." Within this area, find the "EACEnabled" setting and change its value to "false." Make sure to click "Save" at the top, then restart the server to apply the changes. In-game, select the launcher option when running through Steam and then uncheck EAC to ensure compatibility.

Common Issues

Problems Loading Mods

There can be various reasons for issues loading mods, from an incorrect directory to the file type. Make sure all mod files are uploaded to the "Mods" folder for both the client and the server. Remember, you first need to create this folder to upload the mods. As for the files themselves, they must be compressed and require an external program to extract them. Without extraction, they won’t work in the game or on the server, even if uploaded correctly. Also, this process is usually handled with an external FTP program rather than the web version. Alternatively, you could use the panel to upload mods if they are small enough.

Mods Not Working

Unfortunately, some mods require EAC to be disabled to function correctly. This is necessary for both the client and the server, which should solve the issues. Other times, mods won’t work because they are outdated or defective. For example, you cannot use A19 version mods on A20 versions of 7 Days to Die. Make sure to download and install versions that match your setup, which should be the latest since our servers use that. To test mods, you can use single-player mode to ensure they work.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has been helpful! 🚀 Remember, don’t hesitate to ask questions on the HolyHosting Discord or contact our support team.

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Stuffy @ HolyHosting