Satisfactory: Server Modding Guide
Modding a Dedicated Server is different from single-player. You generally cannot just "Subscribe" to mods. You must ensure the mod is **compatible with dedicated servers** (not all are!).
1. The Requirement
Both the Server AND the Client (you) must have the exact same mods installed to connect.
2. The Tool
We strongly recommend using the Satisfactory Mod Manager (SMM). It has a specific mode for managing remote servers.
3. FICSIT.app
This is the official mod repository. Check if a mod has the "Server Compatible" tag before trying to install it.
Method 1: Satisfactory Mod Manager (Recommended)
The SMM can connect directly to your server via FTP/SFTP.
- Download SMM from ficsit.app.
- Open it and look at the **"Select Game Installation"** dropdown at the top.
- Select **"Manage Servers"**.
- Click **Add Server** and enter your IP, Port, and Admin Password.
- Once connected, the SMM will show the server's mod list.
- Select mods from the list and toggle them **ON**. The SMM will automatically upload the files to your server.
Method 2: Manual Upload
If SMM fails, you can do it manually:
- **Stop the Server.**
- Download the mod `.smod` file (and its dependencies!) from ficsit.app.
- Open your server's **File Manager**.
- Navigate to:
/FactoryGame/Mods/(Create folder if missing). - Upload the `.smod` files here.
- You also need to install the **Satisfactory Mod Loader (SML)**. This usually goes in
/FactoryGame/Binaries/Win64/modsor similar, but honestly, **stick to Method 1** if possible. Manual SML installation is prone to breaking.
Updating Mods
When to game updates, mods frequently break due to API changes. SMM can detect and update compatible mods automatically:
Automatic Updates (Recommended)
- Open SMM and select your Server profile.
- Look for available updates - SMM will check automatically on launch.
- Click "Update All" to update all mods to their latest compatible versions.
- Restart your server after updates complete.
Manual Updates
If automatic updates fail or you need specific mod versions:
- Version Selection: Click the dropdown next to each mod and select a specific version from the mod's release history.
- Rollback Option: If a new update breaks your save, you can revert to the previous working version.
- Update Verification: After updates complete, verify mod versions in SMM match what's actually installed on your server.
- Compatibility Check: Before updating, check mod documentation for game version compatibility notes.
When Updates Break Things
Common scenarios and recovery steps:
- Server Won't Boot: A mod became incompatible with the game update.
- Disable all mods in SMM
- Restart server
- Re-enable mods one at a time
- Update mod to latest version
- Test before re-enabling others
- Save Corruption: Mod files became corrupted during the update process.
- Restore from a backup made before the update
- Contact mod author for support
- Check for known issues on the mod's GitHub page
- Client Can't Connect: Players are getting version mismatch errors.
- Ensure all players update their mods simultaneously
- Share direct download links to compatible versions
- Provide clear instructions in server chat or Discord
- Consider disabling non-essential mods temporarily
Update Best Practices: Always check for mod updates before major game patches. When an update is announced, verify your critical mods have updates available before launching your server. This prevents unexpected downtime and gives you time to identify and resolve compatibility issues proactively.
Warning: Removing a mod that adds buildings/items (like Refined Power) will cause those items to vanish from your world permanently. Even if you reinstall the mod later, the machines you built will be gone.
Mod it 'til it breaks. Host your Satisfactory server with Supercraft and enjoy full SFTP access for easy mod management.