For a current dedicated Sons of the Forest server, install RedLoader directly beside SonsOfTheForestDS.exe, start the server once, then add only mods whose pages explicitly support dedicated servers. Windows servers normally work after extracting the loader. Linux or Wine servers also need WINEDLLOVERRIDES="version=n,b" and a wine64 launch. RedLoader and BepInEx are different loader ecosystems, so each mod must use the loader it names. Back up the server, test privately, and check whether players need matching client installations before inviting your group.
What do I need before installing server mods?
Mod installation changes the files that start and operate your dedicated server. Prepare a reversible test setup before changing anything.
- A fully stopped server: shut down the process cleanly and confirm your host panel no longer reports it as running.
- A complete backup: copy the save data and the entire server directory, including configuration files and existing mod folders.
- The correct server directory: locate the folder that contains
SonsOfTheForestDS.exe. This is the destination for RedLoader, not a parent folder and not a newly created nested directory. - The mod’s installation notes: identify its loader, dependencies, multiplayer scope, required folder layout, and whether the author explicitly supports dedicated servers.
- Official downloads: obtain RedLoader or RedManager from the project’s official distribution channels. SOTF Mods warns against unofficial copies.
Keep a clean copy of the unmodified server directory. If a mod prevents startup, that copy lets you determine whether the problem is the loader, a dependency, or the mod itself instead of troubleshooting several changes at once.
How do I install RedLoader on a Windows dedicated server?
On Windows, extract the current RedLoader release directly into the directory containing SonsOfTheForestDS.exe. The important path check is that the _RedLoader folder and the executable are at the same directory level.
- Stop and back up the server. Save a copy of the complete directory and your saves before extracting anything.
- Download RedLoader. Use the current official release archive. RedManager is intended for a client installation; a dedicated server normally uses the RedLoader archive directly.
- Open the executable’s directory. Do not use the parent folder that merely contains the server directory. You should be looking at
SonsOfTheForestDS.exeitself. - Extract the archive in place. Extract
RedLoader.zipinto that exact directory. After extraction, the layout should resembleServerFolderSonsOfTheForestDS.exeandServerFolder_RedLoader. If extraction createsServerFolderRedLoader_RedLoader, move the contents up one level. - Start the server once without mods. Allow RedLoader to create its folders and configuration files, then stop the server cleanly. This first launch separates loader installation problems from mod problems.
- Read each mod’s page before copying files. Install only a mod that explicitly identifies dedicated-server support. Follow the exact folder and dependency instructions on that page rather than assuming every DLL belongs in a generic folder.
- Launch a private test. Start the server with no players, inspect the loader and server logs, and connect with one test account. Invite the rest of the group only after the test account can join, load a save, and disconnect normally.
The RedLoader README describes Windows dedicated servers as working out of the box after the archive is extracted into the server directory. That statement assumes the path is correct and does not make client-only mods compatible with a server.
Where do Sons of the Forest server mods go?
Put a mod in the server’s own installation folders only when its current page says it supports dedicated servers. The mod page is authoritative for the final destination, because some packages use a server Mods folder while others require a particular subfolder or companion library.
| Mod scope | Where it belongs | Who installs it | What happens if misplaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server-only | The dedicated server directory and the folders specified by the mod | Server administrator | Players usually do not need a copy, but the server must have every listed dependency |
| Client-only | Each player’s regular game directory | Individual players | Putting it on the server may do nothing or can prevent startup |
| Server and client | Server locations named by the author, plus each player’s game directory | Administrator and every required player | Missing or mismatched sides can block joining, cause errors, or produce desynchronization |
A visual, interface, or convenience mod is often client-only, but its name does not prove its scope. Look for an explicit dedicated-server statement and a multiplayer requirement on the current mod page. If the page is silent, treat the mod as unsupported on a dedicated server until the author documents otherwise.
Do all players need the same mods and versions?
No. Players do not need every server mod, but they do need any client component that the mod author marks as required. When a page says all players are required, each player should install the identical mod version and its listed dependencies.
Server-only packages
Server-only administration, rule, or world-behavior packages stay on the server. Players connect with an otherwise unmodified client unless the package’s instructions say otherwise.
Client-only packages
Keep client-only visual, user-interface, and convenience modifications in each player’s normal game folder. Do not upload them to the dedicated server simply because the file has a familiar DLL extension.
Packages requiring both sides
For a two-sided mod, record the exact version and dependency set in a message your group can reference. Updating the server first while one player still has the old client package is a common cause of rejected connections or desynchronization; schedule both sides of the update together.
How do I install RedLoader on a Linux or Wine server?
The official RedLoader instructions for Wine use the same server-directory extraction as Windows, then add a DLL override and launch through wine64.
- Stop and back up the server. Preserve the complete directory and saves before changing the Wine launch script.
- Extract RedLoader beside the executable. The directory containing
SonsOfTheForestDS.exemust also contain_RedLoader; do not extract into a nested subfolder. - Set the DLL override. In the shell or service definition that starts the server, set
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="version=n,b". - Launch with Wine 64-bit. Use your existing server arguments with a
wine64invocation, for exampleWINEDLLOVERRIDES="version=n,b" wine64 SonsOfTheForestDS.exe. Keep the working directory pointed at the folder containing the executable. - Perform a loader-only launch. Start once without mods, wait for the loader folders to be created, then stop the process and inspect the logs.
- Add supported server mods one at a time. Confirm each package’s dedicated-server status and dependencies before adding the next one.
Linux version warning
An open RedLoader issue dated October 25, 2025 reports that versions 0.8.0 and later can hang while starting a Linux dedicated server, while version 0.7.3 was reported as working in that issue. This is a compatibility warning, not a guarantee that 0.7.3 remains the correct choice: check the current issue and release information before selecting a version, and test it on a copy of the server.
What is the difference between RedLoader and BepInEx?
They are separate mod-loader ecosystems. A mod built for one is not converted by dropping its DLL into the other loader’s folder.
| Question | RedLoader | BepInEx |
|---|---|---|
| How is it installed? | Extract the RedLoader archive beside SonsOfTheForestDS.exe for a dedicated server |
BepInExPack IL2CPP documents automated and manual installation into the game folder |
| Which mods work? | Mods whose requirements name RedLoader | Mods whose requirements name BepInEx and its required packages |
| Can files be exchanged? | No; a BepInEx plugin is not a RedLoader mod merely because it is a DLL | No; use the loader and folder structure documented by the mod author |
| What should you check first? | Dedicated-server support, RedLoader version, and dependencies | Loader version, IL2CPP requirements, and whether the package supports multiplayer servers |
Choose the ecosystem named on the mod page. If a server collection contains mods from both ecosystems, do not assume they can coexist; require explicit compatibility guidance from the authors and test on a duplicate server before attempting a combined installation.
Why is my RedLoader server not starting?
Most failures come from a path error, an unsupported client mod, a missing dependency, or a Wine/version mismatch. Roll back to the last known-good backup, then test one change at a time.
The loader is invisible and no mods load
Check that _RedLoader is directly beside SonsOfTheForestDS.exe. A second nested folder is the most common extraction mistake. Start the unmodified server once so RedLoader can create its expected folders, then check the loader log for a path or permission error.
A specific mod is missing
Re-read that mod’s page for its required libraries, manifest names, and folder layout. Confirm that the package uses the loader installed on your server. Installing a file into a guessed Mods folder will not substitute for a required dependency or a different manifest structure.
The server crashes after adding a mod
Remove the newest package and launch again. If the server starts, verify that the removed mod explicitly supports dedicated servers and that its version matches the current game and loader. Add it back only after installing every dependency it lists.
Linux startup hangs
Verify the Wine launch includes WINEDLLOVERRIDES="version=n,b", the process is running through wine64, and the RedLoader version is not affected by the open Linux dedicated-server hang report. Test a documented alternative version on a copy rather than replacing the live installation without a rollback.
Players cannot join or become desynchronized
Compare the server’s mod list with every player’s client list and versions. Remove client-only packages from the server, install required client components for every player, and remove any package that lacks multiplayer compatibility information.
A managed-host panel offers no obvious loader option
Ask the provider whether it exposes RedLoader support and file access. BisectHosting documents a RedLoader support toggle, while Pingperfect documents FTP upload for RedLoader and mod files. If your provider supplies neither a supported toggle nor direct file or FTP access, request confirmation before editing files through an unsupported method or move the test to a server you control.
How should I update or remove server mods?
Treat a mod update as a server change, not as a simple file replacement. A short maintenance routine prevents a failed update from destroying a working installation.
- Announce a maintenance window and stop the server cleanly.
- Copy the complete server directory and current saves to a dated backup location.
- Record the old loader, mod, and dependency versions.
- Read the new mod release notes for loader, game, platform, and multiplayer changes.
- Update the loader or mod on a duplicate server first, keeping the same folder layout.
- Start without players, inspect logs, and connect with one test account.
- For two-sided mods, give players the exact client version and dependency list before reopening the server.
- If the update fails, stop the server, restore the dated directory, and return to the last known-good versions rather than mixing old and new files.
When removing a mod, follow its uninstall notes and remove only files belonging to that package. Some mods leave configuration or save changes behind; retain the backup until the server has run successfully through a complete session.
What is the safest test plan before inviting the group?
A private test catches path and dependency errors before they become a multiplayer outage.
- Use a duplicate directory or a separate test instance.
- Launch with the loader but no mods, then with one server mod at a time.
- Check the server and loader logs after every change.
- Join from one test account and verify loading, saving, normal gameplay, and a clean disconnect.
- Test a second account when a mod requires all players, using exactly the same client version.
- Keep the working backup and a written mod/version list where the administrator can reach them.
This process also clarifies whether an error belongs to the game server, RedLoader, Wine, a dependency, or a player’s client installation.
Can I use a managed host for RedLoader?
Yes, if the host supports the loader and gives you a supported way to place server files. Before renting or migrating, confirm the provider’s current documentation for a RedLoader toggle, FTP access, restart behavior, backups, and log access.
- Panel toggle: a documented RedLoader switch can install or enable the loader, but you still need to verify the resulting path and add mods in the provider’s specified directory.
- FTP or file manager: direct access lets you upload the archive and mod files, but you must preserve the executable-level folder layout.
- Restricted panels: if you cannot reach the directory containing
SonsOfTheForestDS.exe, ask support to confirm whether dedicated-server RedLoader is supported before proceeding.
Regardless of host, maintain your own backup and version record. A provider’s installer does not decide whether an individual mod is server-compatible or whether every player needs a matching client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run RedLoader and BepInEx on the same Sons of the Forest server?
They are separate loader ecosystems, and their plugins are not interchangeable. Do not combine them unless the specific loader and mod authors document coexistence; test any claimed combination on a separate server first.
What should I do if a mod page does not mention dedicated-server support?
Do not install it on the server by inference from its name or file type. Leave it on the player’s client only when the page identifies it as client-side, or contact the author for a clear multiplayer and server-support statement.
How can I recover quickly after a failed mod update?
Stop the server and restore the dated copy of the complete server directory, including saves and configuration files. Start that restored copy without players, confirm the previous mod versions load, and only then investigate the update on a duplicate instance.
Does a host-panel RedLoader toggle install every mod automatically?
No. A loader toggle typically enables the loader; individual mods, dependencies, and their folder layouts still follow each mod’s instructions. Verify file access and logs after enabling it before adding players.