How to Install and Manage Mods on Your Sons Of The Forest Server

Mods can add new content, quality-of-life improvements, and completely fresh experiences to your Sons Of The Forest server. Whether you want to tweak survival mechanics or add new items, this guide walks you through how to install and manage mods on your server using the RiverHosting panel.

Before you start

• Make sure your Sons Of The Forest server is set up and has started at least once. This ensures the correct folder structure is in place.
• Download the mod files you want to install from a trusted source such as Nexus Mods or Thunderstore. Make sure you are downloading the server-compatible version of any mod.
• Have your server stopped before uploading mod files. Uploading files while the server is running can cause issues.

1. How to navigate to the mods folder using the File Manager

Sons Of The Forest uses BepInEx to load mods. Mod files go inside the BepInEx plugins folder on your server. Here is how to find it.

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
2. Click on your Sons Of The Forest server to open its page.
3. In the left-hand menu, click Files to open the File Manager.
4. Look for a folder called BepInEx in the root of your server files.
5. Open the BepInEx folder, then open the plugins folder inside it.

2. How to upload mod files to your server

Once you are inside the BepInEx/plugins folder, you can upload your mod files directly from the File Manager.

1. Inside the plugins folder in the File Manager, click the Upload button.
2. Select the mod file or files from your computer. Most mods come as a .dll file, though some may include additional folders or config files.
3. Wait for the upload to finish. You will see the file appear in the folder once it is done.
4. If the mod came with a separate config folder or additional files, upload those into the correct location as described in the mod's own instructions.

3. How to start your server with mods loaded

Once your mod files are uploaded, you can start your server and BepInEx will automatically load the mods from the plugins folder.

1. In the left-hand menu, click the power button or go back to your server's main page.
2. Click Start to start your server.
3. Open the Console from the left-hand menu and watch the startup logs. You should see BepInEx loading your mods during startup.
4. Once the server is fully started, connect to it in-game and check that the mod is working as expected.

4. How to remove or disable a mod

If a mod is causing problems or you simply no longer want it, you can remove it from the plugins folder.

1. Stop your server.
2. Go to Files in the left-hand menu and navigate back to BepInEx/plugins.
3. Find the mod file you want to remove. Right-click it (or use the options menu next to the file) and choose Delete.
4. Confirm the deletion.
5. Start your server again. The mod will no longer be loaded.

5. How to use the Mods page in the panel

Your Sons Of The Forest server also has a dedicated Mods page in the left-hand menu. This gives you a quick overview of your mod setup and may provide shortcuts for managing your mod configuration alongside the File Manager approach.

1. In the left-hand menu, click Mods.
2. Review the information on this page. It can help you keep track of what is installed and flag any configuration you may need to update.
3. Use this page alongside the File Manager to keep your mod setup organised.

Troubleshooting

• The server crashes on startup after adding a mod. Stop the server, remove the most recently added mod from BepInEx/plugins, and try starting again. The mod may not be compatible with your current server version.
• The mod does not seem to be doing anything in-game. Check the Console logs at startup for any error messages related to the mod. Some mods also require the same mod to be installed on the client (your own game), not just the server.
• I cannot find the BepInEx folder. Start the server once, let it fully load, then stop it. BepInEx will create its folder structure automatically on first run.
• The upload button is greyed out or not working. Make sure your server is stopped first, then try refreshing the File Manager page.
• A mod requires a config file to be set up. After starting the server once with the mod installed, BepInEx usually generates a default config file in BepInEx/config. You can edit this file from the File Manager.

Need help?

If you are having trouble getting mods working on your Sons Of The Forest server, the RiverHosting support team is happy to help.