How to Add Mods to Your Hytale Server (2026 Guide)

Mods transform your Hytale server by adding custom features, gameplay mechanics, and administrative tools. Installing mods is straightforward on both Windows and Linux—simply drop mod files into the mods folder and restart your server.

What you'll learn: Finding trusted mods, installing mods on Windows and Linux, configuring mod settings, managing dependencies, and troubleshooting common issues.

Before You Begin

Prerequisites

▸A working Hytale server (see our Windows or Linux setup guides)
▸Access to your server files
▸Ability to restart your server
▸Basic understanding of file management

Important: Always backup your server before installing mods. Some mods may conflict with each other or cause crashes if incompatible.

Step 1: Finding Trusted Mods

Always download mods from reputable sources to avoid security risks and ensure compatibility.

Recommended Sources

▸
CurseForge: Largest mod repository with community ratings and automated scanning
▸
Official Hytale Forums: Community-verified mods and plugins
▸
GitHub: Open-source mods with transparent code review
▸
Hosting Provider Marketplaces: Mods verified by Nitrado, ApexHosting, etc.

What to Check Before Downloading

✓Compatibility: Verify the mod supports your Hytale server version
✓Dependencies: Check if the mod requires other mods or libraries
✓Reviews: Read user feedback for bugs or compatibility issues
✓Last Updated: Recent updates indicate active maintenance
✓File Type: Should be .jar or .zip files (never .exe files)

Step 2: Installing Mods on Windows

Locate Your Server Directory

Your server directory is where you extracted the Hytale server files. Common locations:

C:\hytale-server\
C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\hytale-server\
D:\GameServers\hytale\

Find or Create the Mods Folder

1.
Navigate to your server directory in File Explorer
2.
Look for a folder named Server\mods
3.
If it doesn't exist, create it: Right-click → New → Folder, name it mods

Install the Mod

1.
Download the mod file (usually a .jar or .zip)
2.
Copy or move the mod file to the Server\mods folder
3.
Do NOT extract .jar files—leave them as-is
4.
If the mod came as a .zip, check the documentation—some need to be extracted, others don't

Restart Your Server

Stop your server if it's running, then start it again:

# If using a batch file:
Double-click start.bat

# Or run directly:
java -Xms4G -Xmx8G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

Check the server console for mod loading messages. Most mods will log "Loaded [ModName] v1.0" or similar.

Step 3: Installing Mods on Linux

Navigate to Server Directory

Use terminal to navigate to your server installation:

cd /opt/hytale-server
# Or wherever your server is located
cd ~/hytale-server

Create Mods Directory (if needed)

# Check if mods folder exists
ls -la Server/

# If it doesn't exist, create it
mkdir -p Server/mods

Upload and Install the Mod

Method 1: Direct Download (Recommended)

# Navigate to mods folder
cd Server/mods

# Download mod directly
wget https://example.com/path/to/mod.jar

# Or use curl
curl -O https://example.com/path/to/mod.jar

Method 2: Upload via SCP/SFTP

# From your local machine:
scp mod-file.jar user@your-server-ip:/opt/hytale-server/Server/mods/

You can also use SFTP clients like FileZilla, WinSCP, or Cyberduck for a graphical interface.

Set Permissions

Ensure the server can read the mod files:

chmod 644 Server/mods/*.jar
chown -R youruser:youruser Server/mods

Restart Your Server

# If using systemd
sudo systemctl restart hytale-server

# If using screen/tmux
screen -r hytale
# Stop server, then restart it

# Or if running directly
./start.sh

Monitor the server console for mod loading confirmations.

Step 4: Configuring Mods

Locating Config Files

Most mods generate configuration files in the Server/config folder after first launch:

Server/config/mod-name.json
Server/config/mod-name.yml
Server/mods/mod-name-config.cfg

Editing Configuration

On Windows:

▸Use Notepad++, VSCode, or any text editor
▸Avoid Windows Notepad (can cause formatting issues)

On Linux:

nano Server/config/mod-name.json
# Or use vim, vi, or any editor you prefer

Applying Configuration Changes

After editing config files:

1.Save the file
2.Restart your server (or use /reload if the mod supports hot-reloading)
3.Check the console for configuration errors

Managing Mod Dependencies

Some mods require libraries or framework mods to function. Common dependencies include:

▸
Fabric API: Required for most Fabric mods
▸
Library Mods: Shared code libraries (e.g., config libraries, utility frameworks)

Installing Dependencies

1.
Check the mod's description or README for required dependencies
2.
Download each dependency from the same source
3.
Place dependencies in the mods/ folder alongside your mods
4.
Restart the server and verify all mods load correctly

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Mod Not Loading

Checklist:

▸Verify the mod file is in Server/mods/
▸Check the server console for error messages
▸Ensure the mod is compatible with your Hytale version
▸Install any missing dependencies
▸Verify file permissions (Linux: should be readable by server user)

Server Crashes After Installing Mod

If your server crashes immediately after adding a mod:

1.Check logs/latest.log for the crash reason
2.Remove the mod and restart to confirm it's the cause
3.Check for mod conflicts (two mods modifying the same game feature)
4.Try updating the mod to the latest version

Mod Conflicts

If two mods conflict, you'll typically see errors in the console mentioning both mods. Try removing one at a time to identify the conflict, or check if updated versions resolve the issue.

Performance Issues After Adding Mods

Some mods are resource-intensive. Monitor server RAM and CPU usage. If performance degrades, try allocating more memory or removing heavy mods. Consider using performance optimization mods like PerformanceSaver.

Recommended Server Mods

Administration & Management

▸Nitrado:WebServer - API framework for web-based server management
▸Nitrado:Query - Server status API for monitoring
▸ApexHosting:PrometheusExporter - Detailed metrics and monitoring

Performance Optimization

▸Nitrado:PerformanceSaver - Dynamic view distance based on server load
▸ChunkPregen - Pre-generate world chunks to reduce lag

Security & Protection

▸Anti-Grief - Protect your world from griefing
▸Login Protection - Enhanced player authentication

Your Server is Now Enhanced!

You've successfully installed and configured mods on your Hytale server. Remember to keep your mods updated, back up your server regularly, and monitor performance. Share your customized server with the community!

List Your Server Docker Mod Guide →

Related Guides

What you'll learn: Finding trusted mods, installing mods on Windows and Linux, configuring mod settings, managing dependencies, and troubleshooting common issues.

Before You Begin

Prerequisites

▸A working Hytale server (see our Windows or Linux setup guides)
▸Access to your server files
▸Ability to restart your server
▸Basic understanding of file management

Important: Always backup your server before installing mods. Some mods may conflict with each other or cause crashes if incompatible.

Step 1: Finding Trusted Mods

Always download mods from reputable sources to avoid security risks and ensure compatibility.

Recommended Sources

▸
CurseForge: Largest mod repository with community ratings and automated scanning
▸
Official Hytale Forums: Community-verified mods and plugins
▸
GitHub: Open-source mods with transparent code review
▸
Hosting Provider Marketplaces: Mods verified by Nitrado, ApexHosting, etc.

What to Check Before Downloading

✓Compatibility: Verify the mod supports your Hytale server version
✓Dependencies: Check if the mod requires other mods or libraries
✓Reviews: Read user feedback for bugs or compatibility issues
✓Last Updated: Recent updates indicate active maintenance
✓File Type: Should be .jar or .zip files (never .exe files)

Step 2: Installing Mods on Windows

Locate Your Server Directory

Your server directory is where you extracted the Hytale server files. Common locations:

C:\hytale-server\
C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\hytale-server\
D:\GameServers\hytale\

Find or Create the Mods Folder

1.
Navigate to your server directory in File Explorer
2.
Look for a folder named Server\mods
3.
If it doesn't exist, create it: Right-click → New → Folder, name it mods

Install the Mod

1.
Download the mod file (usually a .jar or .zip)
2.
Copy or move the mod file to the Server\mods folder
3.
Do NOT extract .jar files—leave them as-is
4.
If the mod came as a .zip, check the documentation—some need to be extracted, others don't

Restart Your Server

Stop your server if it's running, then start it again:

# If using a batch file:
Double-click start.bat

# Or run directly:
java -Xms4G -Xmx8G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

Check the server console for mod loading messages. Most mods will log "Loaded [ModName] v1.0" or similar.

Step 3: Installing Mods on Linux

Navigate to Server Directory

Use terminal to navigate to your server installation:

cd /opt/hytale-server
# Or wherever your server is located
cd ~/hytale-server

Create Mods Directory (if needed)

# Check if mods folder exists
ls -la Server/

# If it doesn't exist, create it
mkdir -p Server/mods

Upload and Install the Mod

Method 1: Direct Download (Recommended)

# Navigate to mods folder
cd Server/mods

# Download mod directly
wget https://example.com/path/to/mod.jar

# Or use curl
curl -O https://example.com/path/to/mod.jar

Method 2: Upload via SCP/SFTP

# From your local machine:
scp mod-file.jar user@your-server-ip:/opt/hytale-server/Server/mods/

You can also use SFTP clients like FileZilla, WinSCP, or Cyberduck for a graphical interface.

Set Permissions

Ensure the server can read the mod files:

chmod 644 Server/mods/*.jar
chown -R youruser:youruser Server/mods

Restart Your Server

# If using systemd
sudo systemctl restart hytale-server

# If using screen/tmux
screen -r hytale
# Stop server, then restart it

# Or if running directly
./start.sh

Monitor the server console for mod loading confirmations.

Step 4: Configuring Mods

Locating Config Files

Most mods generate configuration files in the Server/config folder after first launch:

Server/config/mod-name.json
Server/config/mod-name.yml
Server/mods/mod-name-config.cfg

Editing Configuration

On Windows:

▸Use Notepad++, VSCode, or any text editor
▸Avoid Windows Notepad (can cause formatting issues)

On Linux:

nano Server/config/mod-name.json
# Or use vim, vi, or any editor you prefer

Applying Configuration Changes

After editing config files:

1.Save the file
2.Restart your server (or use /reload if the mod supports hot-reloading)
3.Check the console for configuration errors

Managing Mod Dependencies

Some mods require libraries or framework mods to function. Common dependencies include:

▸
Fabric API: Required for most Fabric mods
▸
Library Mods: Shared code libraries (e.g., config libraries, utility frameworks)

Installing Dependencies

1.
Check the mod's description or README for required dependencies
2.
Download each dependency from the same source
3.
Place dependencies in the mods/ folder alongside your mods
4.
Restart the server and verify all mods load correctly

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Mod Not Loading

Checklist:

▸Verify the mod file is in Server/mods/
▸Check the server console for error messages
▸Ensure the mod is compatible with your Hytale version
▸Install any missing dependencies
▸Verify file permissions (Linux: should be readable by server user)

Server Crashes After Installing Mod

If your server crashes immediately after adding a mod:

1.Check logs/latest.log for the crash reason
2.Remove the mod and restart to confirm it's the cause
3.Check for mod conflicts (two mods modifying the same game feature)
4.Try updating the mod to the latest version

Mod Conflicts

If two mods conflict, you'll typically see errors in the console mentioning both mods. Try removing one at a time to identify the conflict, or check if updated versions resolve the issue.