Payday 2 Modding Troubles? A Comprehensive Fix Guide Inside!

Payday 2 Modding Troubles

PayDay 2, a highly acclaimed cooperative first-person shooter, continues to captivate gamers worldwide with its intense heists and strategic gameplay. Within this dynamic gaming environment, modifications, or mods, have become increasingly popular, allowing players to personalize their experience and introduce new elements into the game. However, some players have recently encountered frustrating issues where their PayDay 2 mods are failing to function correctly. This problem seems to be linked to the BLT mod manager, leaving players seeking effective solutions to restore their modded gameplay. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive approach to troubleshooting and resolving these modding challenges, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable PayDay 2 experience.

PayDay 2 officially supports modding, as long as these modifications do not negatively impact other players or introduce unfair advantages. Violations of these guidelines can result in account penalties. It is important to remember that PayDay 2 is fully playable without mods, so these enhancements are purely optional. However, for those who enjoy the added customization and features mods provide, resolving these technical issues is crucial.

Why Don’t My Mods Work in Payday 2?

One of the primary reasons PayDay 2 mods cease to function is game updates. Game developers frequently release patches and updates to improve gameplay, fix bugs, and introduce new content. These updates can sometimes create incompatibilities with previously installed mods. Even mods that seem unrelated to the updated game components can unexpectedly conflict and cause problems. To diagnose whether mods are the source of the issue, a simple troubleshooting step is to temporarily remove all installed mods and run the game in its vanilla state. If the game functions correctly without mods, it is highly likely that a mod conflict or incompatibility is the root cause of the problem.

Fix Payday 2 Mods Are Not Working

Fortunately, resolving mod issues in PayDay 2 is often straightforward. Several effective solutions can address common mod-related problems and get your game back on track. These fixes range from simple file management to software adjustments, and can usually be implemented quickly. Below are detailed steps for each solution to help you restore your PayDay 2 mod functionality.

1] Transfer Mod Files to the Correct Location

The proper placement of mod files is crucial for them to be correctly recognized and loaded by PayDay 2. If mod files are located in the incorrect directory, they will simply not be activated in the game. Fortunately, verifying and correcting the mod file location is a simple process. Follow these steps to ensure your mods are in the right place:

  1. Locate the Game Shortcut: Begin by finding the shortcut you use to launch PayDay 2 on your computer, typically found on your desktop or in the Start Menu.
  2. Open File Location: Right-click on the PayDay 2 shortcut. From the context menu that appears, select the “Open File Location” option. This action will open the folder where the PayDay 2 game files are installed.
  3. Navigate to the Mods Folder: Within the PayDay 2 game folder, you should look for a folder specifically named “mods“. This is the primary location where mods are often initially placed.
  4. Copy Mod Files (Except mod.txt): Open the “mods” folder. Inside, you will see the files related to your installed mods. Select all the files within the mod folders, but be sure to exclude any file named “mod.txt“. Copy these selected files. You can do this by right-clicking and selecting “Copy” or by pressing Ctrl+C.
  5. Access the Assets Folder: Navigate back to the main PayDay 2 directory (the folder you arrived at after selecting “Open File Location” in step 2). Look for and open a folder named “Assets“.
  6. Open or Create mod_overrides Folder: Inside the “Assets” folder, check if a folder named “mod_overrides” exists.
    • If the “mod_overrides” folder exists: Open this folder.
    • If the “mod_overrides” folder does not exist: Right-click within the “Assets” folder, select “New” -> “Folder“, and name the new folder “mod_overrides“. Then, open the newly created “mod_overrides” folder.
  7. Paste Mod Files: Inside the “mod_overrides” folder, paste the mod files you copied in step 4. You can do this by right-clicking and selecting “Paste” or by pressing Ctrl+V.
  8. Delete from Original Mods Folder: Finally, return to the original “mods” folder (from step 3) and delete the mod files you copied and pasted into the “mod_overrides” folder. This step ensures that the mods are only loaded from the correct “mod_overrides” location.

By following these steps, you will have effectively transferred your PayDay 2 mod files to the correct location within the game directory, which can resolve many common issues preventing mods from working.

2] Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is a set of runtime libraries required for many applications, including games like PayDay 2, to function correctly. If the installation of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is corrupted or if certain files are missing or damaged, it can lead to various issues, including problems with game functionality and mod compatibility. Reinstalling the Redistributable can resolve these issues by ensuring a clean and complete installation of these essential libraries. Here’s how to reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable:

  1. Open Settings Menu: Press the Windows key and the “I” key simultaneously (Windows key + I) to open the Windows Settings application.
  2. Navigate to Apps & Features: In the Settings menu, click on “Apps“. Then, in the left-hand sidebar, select “Apps & features“. This section lists all the applications installed on your computer.
  3. Uninstall Existing Redistributables: In the “Apps & features” list, scroll down and look for entries named “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable“. You may see multiple entries, often differentiated by year (e.g., Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable). Uninstall each of these entries one by one. To uninstall, click on a “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable” entry and then click the “Uninstall” button that appears. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process for each version.
  4. Download Latest Version: Once all Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable versions are uninstalled, open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page. You can easily find this page by searching for “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download” on any search engine.
  5. Install the Redistributable: On the Microsoft download page, locate and download the latest version of the Visual C++ Redistributable package. Make sure to download the correct architecture for your system (usually x64 for 64-bit Windows). Run the downloaded installer file. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Redistributable package on your system.
  6. Restart Your Computer: After the installation is complete, it is crucial to restart your computer. This ensures that the changes made by the installation are properly applied and that the newly installed libraries are correctly loaded by the system.

After restarting your computer, launch PayDay 2 and check if your mods are now working correctly. Reinstalling Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable can often resolve underlying system library issues that may be interfering with game functionality and mod loading.

3] Remove Vanilla BLT in Favor of Super BLT

The BLT (BeardLib Tool) mod loader is a popular tool used to manage and load mods in PayDay 2. However, there are different versions of BLT, and “Vanilla BLT” might sometimes be less robust or compatible with certain mods compared to “Super BLT”. Super BLT is often considered an improved and more actively maintained fork of the original BLT, offering better compatibility and stability. If you are using Vanilla BLT and experiencing mod issues, switching to Super BLT can often resolve these problems. Here’s how to transition from Vanilla BLT to Super BLT:

  1. Locate Your PayDay 2 Installation: Find the main installation directory of PayDay 2. You can usually do this by right-clicking on your PayDay 2 shortcut, selecting “Open File Location,” or by browsing to the installation path through your game library platform (e.g., Steam).
  2. Remove Vanilla BLT Files: Inside the PayDay 2 installation directory, look for files related to Vanilla BLT. Common files to remove include:
    • <strong>WSOCK32.dll</strong> or <strong>WSOCK64.dll</strong> (depending on your system architecture) - This is the core DLL file for Vanilla BLT.
    • Any folders related to Vanilla BLT, such as a folder named “BLT” or “mods” if it was specifically created by Vanilla BLT (note: be careful not to delete your actual “mods” folder if you have one).
  3. Download Super BLT: Open your web browser and go to the official Super BLT download page. You can find this by searching for “Super BLT PayDay 2” online. Make sure to download Super BLT from a reputable source, such as GitHub or a well-known modding community website.
  4. Install Super BLT: Once you have downloaded Super BLT, it usually comes as a ZIP archive. Extract the contents of the ZIP file. Inside, you will find the Super BLT DLL file (usually named <strong>WSOCK32.dll</strong> or <strong>WSOCK64.dll</strong> depending on the version). Copy this DLL file into your PayDay 2 installation directory. This will replace the Vanilla BLT DLL if it existed or simply install Super BLT if you didn’t have BLT installed before.
  5. Run PayDay 2: Launch PayDay 2. Super BLT should now be active. You can usually verify this by checking for a Super BLT splash screen or menu when the game starts. Your mods that are compatible with Super BLT should now be loaded.

Switching to Super BLT can provide a more stable and compatible mod loading environment, resolving issues that might have been present with Vanilla BLT. Ensure you download Super BLT from a trusted source to avoid any security risks.

Related: loading

4] Run the Mod in Compatibility Mode

Compatibility Mode is a feature in Windows that allows you to run older programs or applications in an environment that mimics an earlier version of Windows. This can sometimes resolve compatibility issues that arise when mods or games are not fully optimized for the latest operating system. Running PayDay 2 or specific mods in Compatibility Mode might help if you suspect that OS compatibility is causing mod malfunctions. Here’s how to run a program (in this case, potentially PayDay 2 or a mod loader) in Compatibility Mode:

  1. Locate the Executable File: Find the main executable file for PayDay 2. This is usually named <strong>payday2_win32_release.exe</strong> or <strong>payday2_win64_release.exe</strong> and is located in the main PayDay 2 installation directory. You can find the game installation directory by right-clicking on your PayDay 2 shortcut and selecting “Open File Location“.
  2. Access Properties: Right-click on the PayDay 2 executable file (<strong>payday2_win32_release.exe</strong> or <strong>payday2_win64_release.exe</strong>). From the context menu, select “Properties“.
  3. Navigate to Compatibility Tab: In the Properties window, click on the “Compatibility” tab.
  4. Enable Compatibility Mode: Under the “Compatibility mode” section, check the box labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode for:“.
  5. Choose a Windows Version: From the dropdown menu below “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”, select an older version of Windows. A good starting point is to try “Windows 7” or “Windows 8“. You can experiment with different versions if the first one doesn’t work.
  6. Apply and OK: Click the “Apply” button and then click “OK” to save the changes and close the Properties window.
  7. Run PayDay 2: Launch PayDay 2 as you normally would. The game will now attempt to run in the Compatibility Mode you selected. Check if your mods are working correctly.

If running the game in Compatibility Mode does not resolve the issue, you can try setting compatibility mode for the mod loader executable if it has one, or experiment with different Windows versions in the Compatibility settings. Remember to test after each change to see if it has resolved the mod problem.

Can Payday 2 Mods Crash My Game?

Yes, PayDay 2 mods can indeed crash your game. Mod conflicts are a common cause of game crashes in modded environments. Certain mods might not be designed to work together, and when used simultaneously, they can interfere with each other’s code or game assets, leading to instability and crashes. Additionally, some mods might have dependencies on other specific mods to function correctly. If these required mods are missing, the game might crash upon loading or during gameplay. It is essential to carefully read mod descriptions and compatibility notes provided by mod creators to understand any potential conflicts or dependencies. If you experience frequent crashes after installing mods, try disabling mods one by one or in groups to identify the conflicting mod(s).

How Do I Activate Mods in Payday 2?

Activating mods in PayDay 2 generally involves placing the downloaded mod files in the correct game directory and then enabling them through the game’s mod options menu, if available, or through the mod loader. Here’s a general guide on how to activate mods in PayDay 2:

  1. Download Mods: Obtain the mods you want to use from reputable sources. Mods are often distributed as ZIP files or folders.
  2. Locate the Mods Folder: Navigate to your PayDay 2 game installation directory. Within this directory, locate the “mods” folder. If it doesn’t exist, create a folder named “mods“.
  3. Extract or Place Mod Files:
    • If the mod is a folder: Extract the downloaded mod ZIP file. You should get a folder containing the mod files. Place this entire mod folder directly into the “mods” folder in your PayDay 2 directory.
    • If the mod is loose files: Sometimes, mods come as loose files. In this case, place these files directly into the “mods” folder.
  4. Launch PayDay 2: Start PayDay 2 through your usual method (e.g., Steam).
  5. Access Mod Options (If Available): Once in the game, look for a “Mod Options” or similar menu in the main settings or options panel. This menu is usually provided by the mod loader (like BLT or Super BLT).
  6. Enable Mods: In the “Mod Options” menu, you should see a list of installed mods. Enable the mods you want to activate. The process for enabling can vary depending on the mod loader, but it often involves toggling a checkbox or selecting the mod from a list.
  7. Restart Game (If Required): Some mods may require you to restart PayDay 2 for the changes to take effect. If prompted or if mods are not appearing to work, restart the game.

After these steps, your activated mods should be running in PayDay 2. Always consult the specific instructions provided by the mod creator, as activation methods can vary slightly between different mods and mod loaders.

Will I Get Banned for Modding Payday 2?

No, you will generally not get banned for modding PayDay 2, as long as the mods you are using adhere to Overkill Software’s guidelines. Overkill Software, the developers of PayDay 2, have stated that they allow user-created mods that do not provide unfair advantages or negatively impact other players’ experiences in multiplayer. Mods that are purely cosmetic, enhance visual aspects, add new UI features, or introduce single-player content are typically considered acceptable.

However, mods that enable cheating, provide unfair gameplay advantages in multiplayer (e.g., unlimited ammo, increased damage, invincibility), or disrupt the experience of other players are against the rules and could potentially lead to penalties, although outright bans for modding are rare in PayDay 2. It is always best to ensure that the mods you use are within ethical boundaries and respect the intended game balance and multiplayer experience. When in doubt, check the mod’s description, community discussions, and official PayDay 2 forums for any information regarding the mod’s compliance with Overkill’s guidelines. Using mods responsibly and ethically will help ensure a positive and ban-free modding experience in PayDay 2.


We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you resolve your PayDay 2 modding troubles! If you have any further questions or have discovered other solutions, please feel free to share them in the comments below. Your experiences can help other players in the PayDay 2 community!

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