To use third-party Baldur’s Gate 3 mods with BG3 Mod Manager on Windows, install the manager, add mods according to their authors’ instructions, move them into the active load order, then export that order to the game. Adding a mod to the manager alone does not send the updated order to Baldur’s Gate 3.
BG3 Mod Manager is a community desktop tool; Larian’s in-game Mod Manager is a separate, supported option for mods in its catalogue. Which route fits depends on the mod you want to use.
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Choose the manager that fits your mods
Larian’s in-game Mod Manager and BG3 Mod Manager do different jobs. Neither universally replaces the other.
| Tool | Mod availability | Main task | Support boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larian’s in-game Mod Manager | Mods in Larian’s supported in-game catalogue | Install, toggle, and update supported mods. An Update button may appear in the Installed tab when an update is available. | Larian provides support for its official mod system; player-created third-party mods are outside that support. |
| BG3 Mod Manager | Third-party mods, commonly distributed as .pak files | Organize an active mod list and export its load order to the game. | A community tool; Larian does not directly manage or fix third-party mods. |
Larian describes its supported system as improving compatibility and accessibility, and says supported mods are intended to work across platforms, with consoles included later. That statement applies to supported mods, not every third-party mod. Larian’s official mod support guidance and Nexus Mods’ technical documentation distinguish the supported catalogue from third-party files.
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Prepare BG3 Mod Manager on Windows
- Start Baldur’s Gate 3 once. This creates the game profile and Mods folder used by the usual mod workflow.
- Download BG3 Mod Manager from its official GitHub repository. The project says it has no separate official website.
- Install .NET 8.0 and the latest C++ redistributable, as required by the manager’s current README.
- Extract the portable application to a folder you can access, rather than a protected location such as Program Files.
- Open the manager. If it does not detect the game paths, go to Settings → Preferences, set the paths, save, and refresh.
These instructions describe the Windows-oriented desktop workflow documented by the tool. Check the repository README for current setup requirements and interface details.
Install and activate third-party mods
Check each mod’s requirements first
Follow the mod author’s current installation, dependency, and compatibility instructions. Most BG3 mods use .pak archives, and the usual Windows Mods directory is %LOCALAPPDATA%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3Mods. A particular mod may require a different location or extra steps, so do not assume every archive installs the same way. Nexus Mods’ technical documentation describes the usual folder and file model.
Add the mods to the active list
- Open BG3 Mod Manager and select the
Publicprofile. - Add the mod files using the method specified by the author and the manager’s current instructions.
- Move the mods you intend to use into the active list.
- Arrange them according to the authors’ instructions and required dependencies. The manager displays descriptions and dependencies; a red dependency indicates that a required mod is missing.
There is no universal load order that works for every collection. Dependencies and conflicts vary by mod, so use the mod-specific guidance rather than copying an order recipe from an unrelated setup. Consult the manager README for its current controls.
Export the load order to Baldur’s Gate 3
After arranging the active list, export it. BG3 Mod Manager writes the active order to modsettings.lsx, the file the game reads. Until you export, adding or arranging mods in the manager does not update the game’s load order.
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- Check that the manager has the correct game-data path and campaign selected.
- Choose Export Load Order to Game, or use File → Export Order to Game.
- Launch the game and check whether the intended mods are available.
The manager repository documents the current export behavior. A Nexus Mods guide also explains the basic need to export after adding a mod, but its patch-specific steps date from 2023; use the live manager instructions rather than relying on those older details.
Why aren’t my mods showing up?
Check the workflow in order instead of changing several things at once:
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- The files may not be installed where expected. Confirm the mod author’s current location and installation requirements. For the usual Windows .pak setup, check the Mods directory shown above.
- The mod may not be active. In BG3 Mod Manager, confirm it is in the active list under the
Publicprofile. - The load order may not have been exported. Export the active order to the game after changes.
- A dependency may be missing. Review the manager’s dependency display; red dependencies indicate missing requirements.
- The game paths or campaign may be wrong. Verify them in the manager, then save and refresh.
- The Mods folder may contain subfolders. The manager README identifies subfolders as a possible cause of a load-order reset; check that the directory structure follows the mod’s instructions.
If the order resets, the manager README says one or more mods may be causing an error. Troubleshoot dependencies and individual mods rather than assuming the export button itself is broken. The README documents this behavior and path settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot crashes, saves, and game updates
Larian lists crashes, save-loading failures, user-interface problems, and shader issues among possible problems with modded saves. For mods installed through Larian’s supported system, try unchecking them in the in-game manager to see whether the issue persists. For third-party mods, Larian advises removing existing mod files, especially after a major game update. Check each author’s compatibility notes before reinstalling or updating a mod; a mod that worked with one game patch is not necessarily compatible with another. See Larian’s troubleshooting and mod support guidance.
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For a multiplayer session using a modded save, every participant needs the exact same mods at the same versions. Compare both the mod list and version numbers with the rest of the party when a multiplayer launch fails. Larian’s mod support guidance covers this requirement.
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