Palworld supports various types of server mods, most commonly UE4SS, .lua, and .pak mods. In this guide, you will learn how to prepare your server, identify the correct mod type, upload the necessary files, and restart your server so the mods load correctly.
Before installing mods, make sure your server and the chosen mod are compatible.
Always create a backup of your world first You should always back up your Palworld save data before installing mods. If a mod is incompatible or causes startup issues, you can restore your previous world state.
Check the following first:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Server Edition | Dedicated Palworld servers use the Steam version. Mods intended only for the Game Pass version should not be used. |
| Mod Compatibility | Ensure the mod author explicitly states that the mod works on a Dedicated Server. |
| Mod Type | Verify if it is a UE4SS, .lua, or .pak mod. |
| Client Requirement | Some mods must be installed on both the server and all player clients. |
| Server Version | Check your current server version before installing mods. |
To confirm your current Palworld server version, open the server console in your ZAP-Hosting game server management and run:
info
This will display version information you can compare with the mod requirements.
Install only one mod at a time Always install one mod at a time and test it before adding another. This makes it easier to identify issues caused by faulty mods or startup problems.
Palworld mods are not all installed the same way. You need to identify the mod type before uploading files.
| Mod Type | Typical Content | Common Installation Path | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
UE4SS / .lua Mod | Folder with scripts like main.lua | Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/ | Usually requires the UE4SS framework |
.pak Mod | One or more .pak files, sometimes with additional files | Pal/Content/Paks/~mods/ | Some mods use Pal/Content/Paks/LogicMods/ instead |
| Client-side Mod | Varies | Not always installable server-side | Use only if the mod author confirms server support |
Follow the mod author's path The paths listed here are the most common for Palworld mods currently. Some mods require a different folder structure. Always follow the mod author's instructions if they differ.
Lua and other UE4SS-based Palworld mods are usually distributed as folders, not single .pak files.
Download the mod archive from the official release page of the mod author and extract it first on your PC. Do not upload the .zip or .rar file unless the author explicitly instructs you to.
For most Lua or UE4SS mods, upload the extracted mod folder here:
Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/
A typical Lua mod structure looks like this:
Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/UploadedMod/scripts/main.lua
Replace UploadedMod with the actual folder name specified by the mod author.
| Item | Example Path |
|---|---|
| Mod Folder | Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/UploadedMod/ |
| Script File | Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/UploadedMod/scripts/main.lua |
Do not rename files arbitrarily
Do not rename the mod folder, script files, or internal folder structure unless the mod author explicitly requires it. Many UE4SS mods rely on the original structure to load correctly.
.pak mods are installed differently than Lua or UE4SS script mods.
For most Palworld .pak mods, upload the file here:
Pal/Content/Paks/~mods/
Example:
Pal/Content/Paks/~mods/UploadedMod.pak
Some mods specify using this path instead:
Pal/Content/Paks/LogicMods/
Some .pak mods include multiple files, such as metadata or companion files. If the mod archive contains several required files, upload all exactly as described by the mod author.
Common .pak Storage Location | Use Case |
|---|---|
Pal/Content/Paks/~mods/ | Most common location for general .pak mods |
Pal/Content/Paks/LogicMods/ | Used by some mods, depending on author instructions |
Some Palworld mods include their own configuration files that need editing after upload. These settings vary, so filenames and values depend on the specific mod.
If the mod provides a config file, you may find it here after uploading:
| Mod Type | Possible Config Location |
|---|---|
UE4SS / .lua Mod | In the mod folder under Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/[your_mod_name]/ |
.pak Mod | Sometimes no editable config included; check mod documentation |
| Server Config Integration | In some cases, additional settings can be edited via the Configuration tab |
Only change values explicitly documented by the mod author. Typical examples include:
- Enabling or disabling mod features
- Setting multipliers or limits
- Defining admin-only behavior
- Changing key names or internal options used by the mod
Since Palworld mods do not use a unified config format, there is no universal configuration entry that applies to all mods.
No universal Palworld mod config entry Currently, there is no single Palworld server config file or built-in config section that globally enables all mods. In practice, mod installation usually involves placing the correct files in the right directories and editing mod-specific config files only if the mod provides them.
| Task | Action |
|---|---|
| Check Server Version | Run info in the server console |
| UE4SS Base Path | Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/ |
| UE4SS/Lua Mod Path | Pal/Binaries/Win64/ue4ss/Mods/ |
| Typical Lua Script File | scripts/main.lua |
Common .pak Mod Path | Pal/Content/Paks/~mods/ |
Alternative .pak Path | Pal/Content/Paks/LogicMods/ |
| Access Config Files | Open the Configuration tab of your game server |
| Final Step | Restart the server |
