# Installing Mods on Your Subnautica 2 Server (/docs/subnautica-2/install-mods)



import { Callout } from "fumadocs-ui/components/callout";
import { Steps, Step } from "fumadocs-ui/components/steps";

Beacon supports **UE4SS Lua mods**. Mods run server-side and replicate to connected clients, so connected players get the modded behaviour without manual setup on their end.

<Callout type="warn">
  **Take a [save snapshot](/docs/subnautica-2/save-snapshots) before adding or changing mods.** A bad mod can break a world — a snapshot is your undo button.
</Callout>

How to install a mod [#how-to-install-a-mod]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Snapshot first [#snapshot-first]

    Take a manual snapshot (launcher admin panel **Take snapshot**, or RCON `save snapshot`).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Drop the mod folder into the Mods directory [#drop-the-mod-folder-into-the-mods-directory]

    Place the mod's folder into the server's UE4SS `Mods` directory (browse it from the panel File Manager). Mods are distributed by their authors as folder zips — there's no central registry.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enable it in mods.txt [#enable-it-in-modstxt]

    Open `mods.txt` and add a line for your mod:

    ```text
    MyMod : 1
    ```

    `: 1` = on, `: 0` = off. By default `mods.txt` contains only:

    ```text
    BeaconServerRuntime : 1
    ```

    That entry is Beacon's own runtime — **leave it enabled**; it loads everything else internally.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Restart [#restart]

    Restart the server from the panel for the mod to load.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Notes [#notes]

* Mods are **UE4SS Lua mods** — the broader UE4SS ecosystem's mods apply here.
* If a mod has client-side parts that must match the server, the author will say so and provide the client piece separately.
* C++ mods aren't a stable, supported path yet — stick to Lua mods.

Troubleshooting mods [#troubleshooting-mods]

* **Mod doesn't load:** confirm the folder is in the `Mods` directory and the `mods.txt` line is spelled exactly (`ModName : 1`), then restart.
* **Server won't start after adding a mod:** remove the mod's `mods.txt` line (set it to `: 0`), restart, and [restore your pre-mod snapshot](/docs/subnautica-2/save-snapshots) if the world was affected.

Related [#related]

* [Save Snapshots & Rollback →](/docs/subnautica-2/save-snapshots)
* [Configure Your Server →](/docs/subnautica-2/configure-your-server)
* [Troubleshooting →](/docs/subnautica-2/troubleshooting)