7 Days to Die supports two very different kinds of mods: lightweight "modlets" that just tweak XML data, and full overhaul mods like Darkness Falls that rebuild large chunks of the game. Both install the same basic way — into a Mods folder — but overhauls come with a couple of extra gotchas worth knowing before you start.
Step 1: Downloading Your Mod
- Download your chosen mod from a trusted source like 7daystodiemods.com or NexusMods.
- Extract the downloaded archive on your computer.
- Find the folder that directly contains
ModInfo.xml. This is the folder you'll upload — not any outer "download" or "readme" folder the archive might have wrapped around it.
Step 2: Uploading the Mod to Your Server
- Log into your MintServers panel and make sure your server is stopped.
- Navigate to the Files tab on the left-hand sidebar.
- Create a folder named
Modsin your server's root directory, if one doesn't already exist. - Upload the mod folder — the one containing
ModInfo.xml— into theModsfolder. - Start your server back up and confirm the mod loaded by checking the console output for its name.
📁 server (your main server directory)
📁 Mods
📁 YourModName
Players connecting to a modded server need the same modlets installed in a Mods folder in their own local game install — the game won't push mods to clients automatically.
Modlets vs. Overhaul Mods
Both install into the same Mods folder, but they behave very differently once they're there.
Modlets
Modlets are self-contained changes to the game's XML data — new items, tweaked loot tables, adjusted recipes, and so on. They don't touch the game's core code, so you can usually run several at once, and removing one is as simple as deleting its folder and restarting. Most modlets work fine with anti-cheat left on.
Overhaul Mods (Darkness Falls, and similar)
Overhaul mods like Darkness Falls go much further — they patch the game's own code, rework progression from the ground up, and typically ship with their own dedicated world files. They're far more likely to conflict with other mods, need their own specific installation steps (always follow the mod author's instructions over generic guides), and — critically — require Easy Anti-Cheat to be turned off. See below.
The EAC Gotcha
Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) watches for exactly the kind of code changes that overhaul mods make, and treats them as cheating — because that's normally what unauthorized code injection means. Leave EAC on with a code-based mod installed, and it'll block players from connecting or kick them the moment they try.
serverconfig.xml from the Files tab, set EACEnabled to false, save, and restart. Every player connecting to the server will also need to disable EAC in their own local game client — check the mod's own documentation for those steps, since it varies slightly by mod.
Two things worth knowing before you flip that switch:
- Plain modlets that only touch XML almost never need this — EAC only becomes a problem once a mod is patching compiled game code.
- EAC being on is a hard requirement for crossplay and console players. If you need Darkness Falls-style mods, you're committing to a PC-only, Steam-only server.
Troubleshooting
Mod doesn't show up in the console log:Double-check thatModInfo.xmlsits directly inside the folder you uploaded, not nested one level deeper — a common mistake with mods packaged inside an extra wrapper folder.Players get kicked or can't connect after adding a mod:This is almost always the EAC gotcha above. If the mod touches game code, EAC needs to be off on both server and client.Server won't start after installing an overhaul mod:Confirm the mod is built for your server's current game version. A mismatched version is the most common cause, especially with large overhauls right after a major game update.Two mods conflict with each other:This is more common with overhaul mods and mods that edit the same files. Try removing one at a time to isolate which one is causing the issue.
Modding always comes with a bit of trial and error, especially with bigger overhauls. If you get stuck, no worries! Just open a support ticket and our team will be happy to help.