Baldur’s Gate 3: how to use the in-game mod manager and load order

1 Nov 2026 · 4 min read · ModsDrop

Official image from Baldur's Gate 3 — Image: official, via Steam.

This guide is for anyone who wants to add mods to Baldur’s Gate 3 without touching outside tools or folders. It covers the official mod manager built into the main menu, how to install and enable mods there, and how to keep your load order working after updates. By the end you will know how to browse, add, order and troubleshoot mods using only what the game gives you.

Before you install anything, back up your save files. Mods can change how a save behaves, and a backup means you can always return to a clean state if something goes wrong.

Finding the mod manager

Baldur’s Gate 3 has an official mod manager built on mod.io, accessible from the main menu. You do not need a separate launcher or website account open in a browser tab. This is the safest place to get mods, because it pulls directly from each mod’s own page rather than a mirror or a random download link.

Open the mod manager from the main menu before loading a save. Browsing there shows you mods organised by category, with each entry linking back to its own page where the author lists what the mod does and what it needs.

Browsing and installing mods

Once you are in the manager, treat it like a shop window. Scroll through categories, read descriptions, and check screenshots if the mod has them. Nothing installs until you choose to add it.

A simple way to add your first mods:

Open the mod manager from the main menu.
Browse or search for a mod that interests you.
Open its page and read the description and requirements before doing anything else.
Choose the option to download or install the mod.
Enable it from your mod list once it has finished downloading.
Set its position in the load order if it needs to sit above or below another mod.

Installing a mod does not always mean it is switched on straight away. Many managers separate the download step from the enable step, so check your active mod list afterwards to confirm it is actually turned on.

Reading each mod’s page for requirements

Every mod page is there for a reason. Authors use it to list what their mod needs to work: other mods it depends on, load order notes, or warnings about what it should not be combined with. Skipping this step is the most common reason mods fail to load or cause odd behaviour in a save.

If a mod page mentions another mod as a requirement, install that one first and make sure it is enabled before you turn on the mod that depends on it. If a mod warns against use in a particular mode, such as online play, take that seriously. Mods used in the wrong context can lead to bans or broken saves.

Setting the load order

The load order decides which mod’s changes take priority when two mods try to alter the same thing. The manager lets you reorder your active mods in a list. As a general rule, mods that depend on another mod should load after it, and larger overhaul-style mods often need to sit in a specific position relative to smaller ones.

There is no universal order that works for every combination, so always check the specific advice given on each mod’s own page rather than guessing. If two mods conflict and you are not sure why, try moving one above the other and see if the issue clears.

Game updates and mod compatibility

When the game updates, some mods may not be compatible with the new version yet. The mod manager can automatically switch off mods it detects as incompatible, which is a safety feature rather than a bug. It stops an outdated mod from corrupting your save.

After any update, open your mod list and check which mods are still enabled. If one has been turned off, check its page to see if the author has confirmed it works with the version of the game you have installed before switching it back on yourself.

If something goes wrong

If a mod causes crashes, odd behaviour, or a save that will not load properly, disable it from the manager first rather than deleting your save. Turn mods off one at a time to find which one is causing the problem, starting with the most recently added.

If disabling mods does not fix things, load your backup save and confirm the game runs normally without the suspect mod enabled. Once you have identified the cause, you can either look for an updated version on the mod’s page or leave it disabled until one appears.

To remove a mod entirely, disable it in the manager and then uninstall or delete it from your mod list rather than just leaving it switched off. This keeps your active list clean and makes future load order changes easier to follow.

Keep your mod list short and deliberate rather than adding everything that looks interesting. A smaller, well-ordered set of mods you understand is far easier to fix than a long list you can barely remember installing.

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