Valheim mods only work on PC, and only at your own risk, because Iron Gate doesn’t officially support them. This guide explains what that means for version 1.0, what BepInEx does, where mod files usually go, why there are no mods on PS5, Switch 2 or Xbox, and how to get your achievements back after modding. You won’t find a list of specific mods here; this is about the rules that apply to all of them. Everything below is current as of patch 1.0.20, released on 15 October 2026.
Does Valheim officially support mods?
No. The studio says so plainly in its Regarding Mods statement: creating and using mods is done at your own risk, and Iron Gate can’t guarantee that a mod will work with newer versions of the game.
That has two practical consequences. There’s no Steam Workshop for Valheim, so you can’t subscribe to mods through Steam with one click. And any new version of the game can break a mod until its author updates it. That’s exactly what happened at the 1.0 launch: in the Valheim 1.0 FAQ the studio warned in advance that mods always take some time to catch up, and players did end up waiting for their mods to work again. Fix patches keep coming, most recently 1.0.17 (6 October) and 1.0.20 (15 October). For everything 1.0 changed, see our Valheim 1.0 update overview.
What BepInEx is and where mods go
Most Valheim mods need BepInEx. It’s a modding framework and loader for games built on the Unity engine, which Valheim uses.
The mod itself typically goes into the BepInEx/plugins folder. “Typically” matters here: always follow the instructions for the specific mod, because some have their own requirements or file structure. The general process looks like this:
- Read the mod’s description and check whether it needs BepInEx and which game version it targets.
- Install BepInEx following the instructions that come with the mod.
- Put the mod’s files where its instructions say, usually in
BepInEx/plugins. - Launch the game and check that the mod has loaded.
We’re deliberately not recommending specific mods or mod managers. What works changes with every patch, and we don’t want to point you at something that stops working a week later.
Mods on consoles and in crossplay
There are no mods on consoles. The 1.0 FAQ gives a simple reason: since the studio has no official mod support on PC, there’s none on consoles either. That covers Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. For what the console versions can and can’t do compared to PC, read our guide to Valheim on PS5.
For co-op, that means one thing: if you play with friends on console via crossplay, they can’t have mods.
Modded dedicated servers
Mods don’t only affect your own game. The studio points out that joining a modded dedicated server can automatically trigger a mod download. That’s why Iron Gate wants mods to be clearly labelled as unofficial, both in the game and on the sites that host them. The game has a built-in feature for this: a mod can trigger a pop-up that tells players they’re running a modded game.
Iron Gate is also against paid mods. In the studio’s view, mods should be free for everyone. If you want to run your own server, the official setup is covered in our dedicated server guide.
Achievements and the cheated flag
Version 1.0 added achievements (there are 53 on Steam). Mods and cheats can block them, but you can undo that. Since patch 1.0.12 there’s a command, yesiuseddevcommandsbutiwantmyachievementsanyway, that re-enables achievements even after cheats or mods. You type it into the console, which opens with F5 on PC once you’ve enabled it in the settings (Gameplay section). The details are in our list of console commands.
Patch 1.0.20 also reset the “cheated” flag on items and buildings from older versions of the game. A bug at the 1.0 launch had marked even legitimately obtained items as cheated.
Checklist before you install
- Game version. The studio doesn’t guarantee mod compatibility with new versions, so check that the mod’s author lists support for the current one.
- BepInEx. Most mods won’t work without it.
- Your group. Anyone playing on console can’t use mods.
- Paid mods. Iron Gate rejects them; mods should be free.
- Achievements. The console command above brings them back after modding.
Join our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/feTRJNn9wE to agree with your group whether to play vanilla or modded, and to find Valheim teammates. Come say hi on the GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
No. Mods are used at your own risk, Iron Gate doesn’t guarantee compatibility with new versions, and there’s no Steam Workshop.
A modding framework and loader for Unity games. Most Valheim mods need it, and the mods themselves typically go into the BepInEx/plugins folder, though you should always follow each mod’s own instructions.
No. Valheim has no official mod support on PC, so it has none on consoles either.
They can, but since patch 1.0.12 the console command yesiuseddevcommandsbutiwantmyachievementsanyway turns achievements back on.
Joining a modded dedicated server can automatically download a mod. That’s why Iron Gate wants mods to tell players in-game that they’re unofficial.
Information verified on 19 October 2026. Find more guides in our Valheim guides hub.