How to Add Mods to Your Unturned Server

Unturned comes with its own download system for the Steam Workshop: you add the file IDs of the mods and maps you want to the file WorkshopDownloadConfig.json, and your server downloads them automatically on startup.

The best part

Your fellow players do not have to install or subscribe to anything manually. When connecting, the client automatically downloads all mods configured on your server.

Find the file ID

Open the Steam Workshop
Open the Steam Workshop for Unturned and look for the mod or map you want.
Copy the file ID
The file ID is part of the URL of the Workshop page. Copy the number after ?id=.
Example
In the URL https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2136497468 the file ID is 2136497468.

Add mods to the server

Stop the server
Stop your server via the dashboard.
Connect via SFTP
Connect to your server via SFTP.
Open the configuration file
Open the following file:
```
/Servers/<ServerID>/WorkshopDownloadConfig.json
```
Which folder is mine?
<ServerID> is the folder name inside /Servers/. It comes from your server's startup parameter – usually there is exactly one folder there.
Enter the file IDs
Add the IDs to the File_IDs section, separated by commas:
json
```
"File_IDs":
[
    2136497468,
    1497352180
],
```
Warning
Only change the File_IDs section and leave the remaining entries of the file untouched. There must be no comma after the last ID, otherwise the file is invalid and your server will not start.
Start the server
Save the file and start your server. On startup all configured mods and their dependencies are downloaded and updated.

Use a Workshop map

A map from the Workshop needs two entries: the file ID so it gets downloaded, and the map name so the server actually loads it.

Add the file ID
Add the file ID of the map to WorkshopDownloadConfig.json as described above.
Select the map
Open the following file:
```
/Servers/<ServerID>/Server/Commands.dat
```
and enter the name of the map – one instruction per line:
```
Map Elver
```
Start the server
Save both files and start your server.

Important

Switching the map starts the world from scratch. Create a backup of your current save beforehand.

File IDs of popular maps

Map	File ID
Elver	`2136497468`
Carpat	`1497352180`
Hawaii	`1753134636`
Greece	`1702240229`
Arid	`2683620106`
Buak	`3000549606`
A6 Polaris	`2898548949`
Escalation	`3251926587`
France	`1975500516`
Ireland	`1411633953`
Belgium	`1727125581`
Kuwait	`2483365750`
California	`1905768396`
Rio de Janeiro	`3416057692`

Further settings in the file

Entry	Meaning
`File_IDs`	The list of mods and maps your server downloads
`Ignore_Children_File_IDs`	Dependencies that should deliberately not be downloaded
`Use_Cached_Downloads`	Reuse files that have already been downloaded
`Should_Monitor_Updates`	The server watches whether an update is available for a mod
`Shutdown_Update_Detected_Timer`	Waiting time in seconds before shutting down after a detected update (default `600`)
`Shutdown_Update_Detected_Message`	Message players see when an update is detected
`Shutdown_Kick_Message`	Message shown when players are disconnected

Automatic update monitoring

When your server detects a Workshop update it warns the players and shuts down after the timer expires, so the mod is updated on the next start. If your server restarts on its own after a mod update, that is expected behaviour.

Remove mods

Stop the server
Stop your server via the dashboard.
Delete the entry
Remove the file ID from the File_IDs section and make sure there is no comma after the last remaining ID.
Start the server
Save the file and start your server.

Warning

Removing a mod also removes every item, vehicle and object from that mod that was placed in your world. Create a backup beforehand.

Common problems

Mod is not downloaded

Workshop content that has not been updated since the engine change in version 3.28 is not downloaded by the server. Check on the Workshop page when the mod was last updated and switch to a maintained alternative if necessary.

Do not upload mods manually

Do not upload mods manually via SFTP into the Workshop folder. Players only download the mods that are listed in WorkshopDownloadConfig.json automatically – manually uploaded mods are missing on the clients and joining fails. Always configure mods in WorkshopDownloadConfig.json.

How to Add Mods to Your Unturned Server ​

Find the file ID ​

Add mods to the server ​

Use a Workshop map ​

File IDs of popular maps ​

Further settings in the file ​

Remove mods ​

Common problems ​