7 Days to Die Mod Types

Mods extend 7 Days to Die far beyond the vanilla scope — from small quality-of-life tweaks all the way to complete overhaul packages that fundamentally change the feel of the game. This page gives a structured overview of mod types, the most-used individual mods and overhauls, as well as the correct installation routine.

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Fundamentals: 7 Days to Die mod types

7 Days to Die distinguishes two categories:

• Modlets — small, self-contained mods that do not overwrite the vanilla XML files but are loaded from the Mods folder. They combine well.
• Overhaul mods — extensive total packages that replace core systems. As a rule they cannot be combined with other overhauls or with many modlets.

:::warning Disabling EAC Many mods — especially those with C# code or their own assets — require Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) to be disabled. In Steam this is done via right-click the game → Properties → Launch Options. Without this step, most of the larger mods will not load correctly. :::

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Installing mods in 7 Days to Die

Preparation

Before you install mods, you should work through the following points:

1. Back up your save — Make a copy of your saves under %appdata%/7daystodie (Windows: Win+R → %appdata%/7daystodie).
2. Check your game version — Every mod is tied to a specific game version. Only download mods for the version you have installed.
3. Disable EAC — See the callout above.
4. Do not delete the 0_TFP_Harmony folder — This folder sits in the Mods directory and is required as a base by many C# mods. It must not be removed under any circumstances.

Step by step: manual installation

1. Download the mod from Nexus Mods or 7daystodiemods.com.
2. Extract the ZIP file with WinRAR or 7-Zip.
3. Copy the extracted mod folder (it contains a ModInfo.xml) into the game's Mods directory.
   1. Recommended path (V1.0+): %appdata%\7daystodie\Mods\
   2. Alternative path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\7 Days To Die\Mods\
4. Start the game — correctly installed mods load automatically.

Correct structure: Mods\[ModName]\ModInfo.xml

:::warning Wrong folder structure Mods that ship as a ZIP with an extra parent folder (for example ModPaket_v1.2/ModName/ModInfo.xml) have to be nested correctly. The folder holding the ModInfo.xml must sit directly in the Mods directory, not one level deeper. :::

Step by step: installing via the 7D2D Mod Launcher

For overhaul mods, the 7D2D Mod Launcher is the recommended method. It downloads mods, keeps them up to date and keeps mod installations separate from the Steam directory.

1. Download and install the 7D2D Mod Launcher.
2. Open the launcher → select the overhaul or modlet you want.
3. Download and installation run automatically.
4. Different mod setups can be managed in parallel and switched between save games.

A multiplayer specialty

For gameplay-changing mods the rule is: the server and all clients have to have identical mods installed in identical versions. Purely server-side mods (marked as such) are the exception.

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The most-used 7 Days to Die mods

Quality-of-life modlets

These modlets can usually be combined without trouble and do not change any core systems.

HUD and UI mods

:::warning SMX UI The long-popular SMX UI mod has not been updated since August 2023 and is not compatible with V1.0 and V2.x. SteelUI is considered the direct replacement with a comparable look. :::

Weapon and vehicle mods

• IZY All-in-One Gun Pack — Adds a large selection of new weapons, ammunition types and weapon animations. It is among the most-downloaded mods on Nexus Mods.
• Bdub's Vehicles — More than 20 additional vehicles (cars, trucks, helicopters, gyrocopters) with their own mechanic trader POI. Has to be installed on the server and the client.
• Mods Unbound — Lifts the slot restrictions for weapon and armor mods; several mods can be stacked per item.

World and environment

• Urban Decay — Adds street grime, graffiti, power lines, ivy and further atmospheric details to the game world.
• World Gen Tweaker — Extends random world generation; among other things it enables city spawns across biomes.
• Walking Dead POI Pack — Seven points of interest inspired by the series: Alexandria, CDC, Woodbury, The Prison, Hilltop, The Hospital, Hershel's Farm.

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Overhaul mods compared

Overhaul mods replace large parts of the core game. Use only one overhaul per installation/server.

:::warning Overhauls and save files Always start overhaul mods with a new world. Loading an existing vanilla save into an overhaul regularly leads to errors or data loss. On top of that, further modlets can only be combined if the overhaul developer has explicitly approved them. :::

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Mod management and troubleshooting

Load order

Mods in 7 Days to Die are loaded alphabetically by folder name. If a mod is meant to load earlier or later, the folder name can be given a corresponding prefix (for example AAA_ModName for early loading, ZZZ_ModName for late).

Common sources of error

• Wrong directory structure when extracting (a doubled folder) — check directly whether ModInfo.xml sits at the right level.
• Mod conflicts — when errors occur, disable mods one at a time to isolate the culprit.
• Outdated mod version — always check version compatibility with the installed game version before enabling a mod.
• 0_TFP_Harmony folder deleted — without this folder, no C#-based mod works. It can be restored through Steam (Verify integrity of game files).

Resetting the Steam game integrity

If mods have left the game in a broken state:

Steam → Library → 7 Days to Die → right-click
→ Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files

This process only restores the vanilla game files. The Mods folder itself is left untouched and has to be emptied manually if needed.