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Install Mods - Factorio Wiki

Factorio Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Install Mods

Mods can dramatically enhance your Factorio experience by adding new content, mechanics, quality of life features, and complete overhauls. This guide explains how to install mods on your dedicated server.

Understanding Mod Compatibility

Important considerations before installing mods:

  • All players must have the same mods installed to connect
  • Mods must be compatible with your Factorio version
  • Some mods may conflict with each other
  • Installing mods on an existing save may require starting a new game

Finding Mods

The official Factorio Mod Portal is the primary source for mods:

  1. Visit mods.factorio.com

  2. Browse or search for desired mods

  3. Check mod compatibility and requirements

  4. Read user reviews and descriptions

Installing Mods on Your Server

Method 1: Manual Installation

  1. Download the mod .zip file from the Mod Portal

  2. Locate your server's mods folder:

  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Factorio\mods
  • Linux: ~/.factorio/mods
  1. Copy the .zip file into the mods folder

  2. Do NOT extract the zip file - Factorio reads mods directly from zip archives

  3. Restart your server

Method 2: In-Game Installation

  1. Start Factorio and go to "Mods" in the main menu

  2. Click "Install Mods" to browse the Mod Portal

  3. Select desired mods and click "Download"

  4. The game will automatically install them to the correct folder

  5. Restart Factorio to activate the mods

Managing Server Mods

Enabling and Disabling Mods

  1. Open the mod-list.json file in your mods folder

  2. Each mod has an "enabled" field:

{
  "name": "example-mod",
  "enabled": true
}
  1. Set to false to disable without uninstalling

  2. Save and restart the server

Updating Mods

  1. Download the latest version from the Mod Portal

  2. Delete the old version from your mods folder

  3. Add the new version .zip file

  4. Restart the server

Client-Side Mod Synchronization

To ensure players have the correct mods:

  1. Provide a list of required mods to players

  2. Players must install the exact same mod versions

  3. Consider using a mod pack for easier distribution

  4. Test connections before announcing server is ready

Popular Server Mods

Quality of Life Mods

  • LTN (Logistic Train Network) - Advanced train automation
  • Squeak Through - Walk between placed entities
  • FNEI - Recipe and usage browser
  • Auto Deconstruct - Automatically mark depleted resources

Content Expansion Mods

  • Krastorio 2 - Complete gameplay overhaul
  • Space Exploration - Multi-planet expansion
  • Bob's Mods - Extensive new content and complexity
  • Angel's Mods - Advanced resource processing

Troubleshooting Mod Issues

Desynchronization Errors

If players get desynced during multiplayer:

  • Ensure all players have identical mod versions
  • Check for mod conflicts in the server log
  • Disable mods one by one to identify the problematic mod

Server Won't Start

If the server crashes on startup after installing mods:

  • Check the factorio-current.log for error messages
  • Verify mod compatibility with your Factorio version
  • Check for missing dependencies
  • Try disabling recently added mods

Version Mismatch

If mod versions don't match:

  • Update all mods to their latest versions
  • Ensure server and clients use the same Factorio version
  • Consider creating a mod pack to distribute
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