Installing tModLoader and Mods on Your Terraria Server

tModLoader is the modding framework for Terraria, enabling thousands of community-made mods. This guide shows you how to set it up on your server.

Prerequisites

• An active Terraria server from SpillHosting
• tModLoader installed on your PC via Steam (free DLC)
• Access to the control panel

Understanding Terraria Modding

Terraria uses tModLoader (tML) as its modding platform. Key things to know:

• tModLoader runs as a separate version of Terraria
• Both the server and all players need the same tModLoader version
• All players must have the same mods enabled

Step 1: Enable tModLoader on Your Server

1. Stop your server
2. Go to the Startup tab in the control panel
3. Change the server type to tModLoader (if available as an option)
4. Save and start the server to download tModLoader files
5. Stop the server again before adding mods

If tModLoader isn't available as a startup option, contact support to have it set up for you.

Step 2: Install Mods

Through the Workshop (Recommended)

1. On your PC, open tModLoader via Steam
2. Go to Workshop > Manage Mods
3. Find and enable the mods you want
4. Note down the mod names and versions

Upload to Server

1. Connect to your server via SFTP
2. Navigate to the tModLoader mods folder:

   /.local/share/Terraria/tModLoader/Mods/
   

3. Upload the .tmod files from your local mods folder:
   • Windows: Documents\My Games\Terraria\tModLoader\Mods\
4. Create or edit enabled.json in the same directory to list enabled mods

Step 3: Configure Mod Load Order

The enabled.json file controls which mods are active:

[
  "ModName1",
  "ModName2",
  "ModName3"
]

Make sure only the mods you want are listed here.

Step 4: Start and Verify

1. Start your server from the control panel
2. Check the console for mod loading messages
3. All mods should show as loaded without errors
4. Connect to the server using tModLoader on your PC

Popular Terraria Mods

Client-Side Setup

All players need:

1. tModLoader installed (free on Steam as Terraria DLC)
2. The same mods downloaded and enabled
3. Launch Terraria through tModLoader, not vanilla

Troubleshooting

Server Crashes with Mods

• Check for mod compatibility issues in the console logs
• Remove recently added mods one at a time
• Ensure all mods support your tModLoader version
• Some large mods may require more RAM

Mod Version Mismatch

• Make sure server and client have the exact same mod versions
• Update mods on both server and client simultaneously
• Use the Steam Workshop to keep versions in sync

World Corruption After Removing Mods

• Removing mods that add blocks/items can corrupt worlds
• Always back up your world before changing mod lists
• Some mods have safe uninstall procedures in their documentation

Need help with mods? Our support team can assist you 24/7.