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Guides / Terraria / Basics

How to host a tModLoader server with Workshop mods

Switch a Terraria server to tModLoader on the World page, pick a 1.4.4 world, add Steam Workshop mods, and have players join with tModLoader. Step by step.

Updated , checked on Terraria tModLoader v2026.09.3.1

To host a modded Terraria server, switch the server to tModLoader on the World page, play a world that tModLoader can open, and add mods on the Mods page. Players join with tModLoader, which is free on Steam, and it downloads the mods for them.

What you need to know first

  • tModLoader runs Terraria 1.4.4. A world made or saved by Terraria 1.4.5 does not open on it. A new server’s world World was made by 1.4.5, so it does not open. This was true on 12 November 2026.
  • Mods come from the Steam Workshop. The panel downloads them for you.
  • Players need tModLoader, not the normal game.
  • Your worlds are shared with the other programs. Switching back to Vanilla or TShock loses nothing.

Switch the server to tModLoader and pick a world

Do these steps in this order, then restart once. If you restart after the switch but before you pick a world, the server tries the 1.4.5 world and fails.

  1. Open the World page.
  2. In the Server software card, choose tModLoader.
  3. A box asks “Run tModLoader?” and explains the change. Read the warning about worlds, then choose Continue.
The World page with the box "Run tModLoader?" open, explaining that tModLoader runs Terraria 1.4.4 and downloads first
  1. Look at the Worlds list. Each world shows its size, mode and the Terraria version that saved it. A world that 1.4.5 saved is marked Too new for tModLoader. Do not play that one.
The Worlds list on a tModLoader server, with the 1.4.5 worlds marked Too new for tModLoader and an older world with Play this world
  1. Too new for tModLoader
  1. Choose one of these:
    • Pick a world that is not marked, for example a 1.4.4 world you uploaded, and choose Play this world.
    • Make a new world. Under New world, set Name, Size, Difficulty and Seed, then choose Make this world. tModLoader makes it at the next start, and a large world takes a minute or two. World evil is random on tModLoader whatever you pick: only TShock obeys it.
  2. Restart the server. A restart disconnects everyone who is on, so warn them first with Message everyone on the Players page. tModLoader downloads first, so the first start takes longer.

tModLoader needs a .NET runtime. The panel sets it up for the server at the first start, so you do nothing. If it fails, see the last section.

Add mods

  1. Open the Mods page. On a server that does not run tModLoader, this page says “Mods need tModLoader” and links to the World page.

  2. Open the Workshop tab. Search, or paste a mod’s Workshop link or ID into Add by link or ID (1) and choose Look up (2). Searching (3) works too. The Workshop tab of the Mods page with the Add by link or ID box, the Look up button and a search for a mod

  3. Choose Add on a mod. If it needs other mods, the page offers them in the box Add these mods?. They go on the list now and download when you apply.

  4. A bar says Changes not applied yet. Choose Apply and restart, or Apply if you want to restart later.

  5. A box lists the downloads. On a running server it says the server stops, downloads and starts again, and players online are disconnected: warn them first with Message everyone. Confirm.

The server then loads every mod on the list. A mod that cannot load, for example one that is missing a mod it needs or one made for a newer tModLoader, is not loaded. It stays on the list, waiting, and the rest loads. The row says why.

If searching is not set up on the page, find the mod on the tModLoader Workshop on Steam and paste its link into Add by link or ID.

More in install mods on a tModLoader server.

Join

Each player:

  1. Installs tModLoader from Steam. It is free.
  2. Chooses Multiplayer, picks a character, and chooses Join via IP.
  3. Types the address and port from the Join box on the Players page.

tModLoader downloads the server’s mods as the player joins. Not checked as of 13 November 2026: a join with a real player on tModLoader v2026.09.3.1.

If it does not work

  • The world will not open. It was saved by Terraria 1.4.5. Play it on Vanilla or TShock, or make a new world for tModLoader on the World page and restart. See a 1.4.5 world will not open.
  • A mod did not load. The Mods page row names the reason. The Crashes page also reports “A mod did not load”. Add what is missing, or take the mod off the list.
  • ”.NET host” or ”.NET could not be set up”. The server downloads the .NET it needs at its first start. Start it again. If it keeps failing, use Reinstall Server under Settings. The worlds stay. See the .NET error.
  • Players cannot join. They need tModLoader, not the normal game. They also need the address and port from the Join box.
  • A mod has a newer version. The row says “The Workshop has a newer version. Players who already have it cannot join until the server has it too.” Choose Update on the row, then apply.
  • The mod list changed but nothing happened. A change to the list does nothing until you apply it.

More about the game on Loafhosts: Terraria servers.

Sources: store.steampowered.com: TModLoader, github.com: Command Line, terraria.wiki.gg: Server

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