⚠️ Stardew Valley Mod Troubleshooting
⚠️ Troubleshooting
My mods don't work — the game launches normally / 'SMAPI not found'
You launched Stardew Valley itself instead of SMAPI. Launch StardewModdingAPI.exe from the game folder (or set Steam launch options to point at it) so every mod in the Mods folder loads.
SMAPI is out of date after a Stardew Valley update
A game update breaks the installed SMAPI. Download the newest SMAPI from smapi.io, run its installer again, and relaunch the game.
The game crashes on launch after an update
Usually the installed SMAPI is too old for the new game version. Reinstall the latest SMAPI from smapi.io; if it still crashes, update your mods too, since the update can break them as well.
A mod gives a 'mod requires SMAPI' error
That mod is built for SMAPI and needs it installed. Run the SMAPI installer from smapi.io, then launch through StardewModdingAPI.exe instead of the base game.
I installed a mod but it's not showing up in the game
Make sure the mod folder sits directly inside Mods and contains manifest.json — copying the zip's wrapper folder leaves the mod too deeply nested. Relaunch via SMAPI and look for the mod in the console list.
SMAPI console says a mod was skipped / something is missing
The console names the missing requirement. Install that dependency — usually Content Patcher, or Json Assets for older packs — from Nexus into Mods and relaunch.
A content pack loads but I don't see its changes
The pack needs its loader framework. Most Stardew content packs require Content Patcher, so install it from Nexus into Mods and relaunch; a few older packs need Json Assets instead.
My save won't load or the game crashes with mods on
Move mod folders out of Mods one at a time until the game works to isolate the culprit, then run the SMAPI log through the parser at smapi.io/log to see the exact error.
I need to show someone what went wrong
SMAPI writes log files to the ErrorLogs folder inside your StardewValley data folder. Drag the latest log file into the parser at smapi.io/log and share the link it generates.
Steam says it can't start the game after I set launch options
The StardewModdingAPI.exe path in the launch options is wrong or the exe was moved. Correct it to the full path (Steam > Stardew Valley > Properties > Launch Options), or remove the options and launch StardewModdingAPI.exe directly.
I can't join my friend's farm / co-op fails with mods
In Stardew Valley co-op, every player in the session must run the same mods and SMAPI. Have each player install the same mod list, then connect again.
Mods downloaded through Vortex aren't showing up
In Vortex, make sure each mod is Enabled and Deployed — the Deploy step places them into the game's Mods folder — then launch the game through StardewModdingAPI.exe rather than the base game.
The console shows a JSON error from a content pack
There's a syntax problem — usually a missing comma or quote — in the pack's manifest.json or content.json, or the pack folder is nested wrong. Re-download the pack or fix the file and relaunch.
I can't find where Stardew Valley is installed (for SMAPI or Mods)
In Steam, right-click Stardew Valley > Manage > Browse local files to open the game folder; SMAPI and the Mods folder live there.
An old mod stopped working after a Stardew Valley update
Older mods can break when the game changes. Check the mod's Nexus page for an updated version — frameworks like Json Assets changed with 1.6, so packs built for older versions often need a newer release.