How to add Workshop mods to a DayZ server (load order and .bikey keys)

Your DayZ server won't start, or players get kicked, because a Workshop mod is missing its .bikey key or loads in the wrong order. DayZ never copies keys or checks the order for you, and plain RCON tools leave that to you too. RCON Hub fixes it: its DayZ Manager copies each mod in from your own Steam, syncs its key and checks the load order before every start.

Why mods break on DayZ

A DayZ server doesn't download Workshop mods by itself. Every mod has to be set up by hand:

• Copy the @Mod folder out of Steam's Workshop downloads into the server folder.
• Copy its .bikey file into the server's keys folder, or players can't join with it.
• Add it to the -mod= start line, in the right order, with no spaces in folder names.
• Put required mods first, or the server can crash.
• Do it all again every time a mod updates in Steam.

Miss one step and the server won't boot.

What the game and other tools leave out

• No key handling. Players can't join with a mod whose .bikey isn't in the keys folder, and nothing copies it for you. DayZ Manager copies the key with each mod and takes it away when the mod goes.
• No load order check. The server loads the -mod= line as written, so a required mod that loads too late can crash it. DayZ Manager flags it and gives you a Fix the order button.
• No warning before a bad boot. A missing folder, a space in a folder name or a mod line near 2000 characters just stops the server. DayZ Manager runs a check before every start and tells you what's wrong.
• No Workshop updates. The server never downloads mods, so every update means copying files again. DayZ Manager spots mods updated in Steam and copies them in, or warns players and restarts for you.
• BattlEye RCon traps. With RestrictRCon on, kick, ban and shutdown are blocked, and the password must be letters and digits only. For a server on this PC, DayZ Manager sets RCon up for you at every start.

How RCON Hub fixes it

DayZ Manager has one Mods page for the whole job:

• Paste a Workshop ID or link, or a whole collection, and add mods in one click.
• See the load order, mark server only mods, and check the Worth a look box for anything to fix.

It never downloads from the Workshop itself. It only copies what your own Steam downloaded.

Step-by-step setup

1. Install RCON Hub. Download it from rconhub.gg and run the installer. It's free for Windows 10 and 11.
2. Add the DayZ game pack. Open RCON Hub. On Your games, click Add game, pick DayZ and click Install.
3. Add your server. On the Servers page, give it a name. Paste your server folder under Already have the DayZ server? Its folder (optional), or leave it empty to have it downloaded. Click Add. To download it, sign SteamCMD in to your own Steam account in its own window.
4. Subscribe in Steam. Subscribe to the mod in the Steam Workshop and let Steam download it for your DayZ game.
5. Add the mod. Open the Mods page. Paste the Workshop link into Add a mod. When it says Ready to add, click Add to the server. Tick server only for mods players don't need.
6. Check the load order. Under Load order, the server loads mods top to bottom. Use the arrows to move a mod. If a mod needs one that loads after it, click Fix the order. If the Worth a look box lists a missing key, click Sync keys.
7. Start the server. On the Server page, click Start server. The mod check runs first.
8. Keep mods current. A mod marked updated in Steam gets a Copy in now button while the server is stopped. Or open the Automation page and tick When a mod is updated in your Steam, warn players and restart to copy it in.

Players need the same mods. The DZSA Launcher gets them automatically, and Post in Discord shares your list.

Is it safe?

Yes.

• It runs locally. RCON Hub and DayZ Manager run on your own Windows PC. For a server on this PC, BattlEye RCon is limited to this PC and gets a new password at every start.
• No injection. RCON Hub never touches the game client or your players' games. There's nothing for anti-cheat to flag, so it won't get anyone banned.
• Your secrets stay put. Passwords, tokens and webhooks are stored encrypted on your PC and never shown again.

It's beta software. Back up your server's settings and data before you change things.

Stop copying keys by hand

Your mod list should just work, in the right order, with every key in place. Download RCON Hub, add the DayZ pack, and get your modded server up.

Download RCON Hub 0.3.13 More guides