How to Join a Modded Arma 3 Server

Last modified on Apr 18, 2023 in Arma

By Nathan Young

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Overview

Arma 3 allows players to customize their gameplay experience through adding mods, which is extremely popular among dedicated server owners. Unfortunately, joining a modded type to play with friends can be confusing for some users due to a number of reasons. For example, many players forget to load their mods or completely miss a few of them when making a connection. This likely rejects them from the game, meaning they cannot join without fixing the problems. Whether you’re wanting to enjoy a unique experience or test around with interesting modifications, you’ll want to ensure everything is prepared properly. With this in mind, we’ve created this Apex Hosting guide to show you how to join a modded Arma 3 server.
 

Adding the Server

Before doing anything, you’ll want to make sure that the targeted server is added on your Steam client. This will allow you to easily join through the Arma 3 launcher, which comes in handy later on. Follow these steps below to learn how to do this properly.

1. Head towards your Apex server panel, then locate the IP Address:Port section.
   
2. Proceed to copy these values for later use.
3. Afterward, open Steam and navigate to the View > Servers from the top left.
4. Press Add a Server, then paste your IP Address:Port values in the text field.
   
5. Once this is done, simply click the Add This Server to Favorites button.

Downloading Mods

Whether you’re trying to join a friend’s modded server or your own, make sure to have all the mods installed. This can be checked by attempting to join through the launcher, as it’ll list out any missing modifications. Doing this will help you get everything sorted out so a successful connection can be done. Review the instructions below to start this process.

1. Open your Arma 3 launcher from Steam, then enter the Servers section.
   
2. Locate and hover over the one you wish to connect, then press Join.
   
3. Afterward, look up each missing modification on Arma 3’s Workshop.
   

   Note: Alternatively, you can search for them online if you’re having trouble.

4. Subscribe to every mod with your correct Steam account.

If all modifications have “Subscribe mod…”, then you can continue to click the Setup DLCs and Mods and Join button. This will automatically install the mods to your account, allowing you to join the server. However, if you see “Choose action” or something else, then manually subscribe to all the missing ones and follow our subsection below.

Joining the Server

Once you’ve subscribed to all the missing modifications, loading them into the launcher is the next step. Afterward, you can join the server without any further troubles. The directions below will guide you through this process.

1. Start up your Arma 3 launcher and enter the Mods section.
   
2. Confirm you have all the mods in the list, then click Load All at the top right.
   
3. Once this is done, head over to the Servers tab from the left hand-side.
4. Hover over the desired server, then press Join on it.
5. If all mods appear green, then click Setup DLCs and Mods and Join at the bottom.
   
6. This should automatically launch the game and connect you to the server.

Common Issues

In cases where you or other players can’t join, then it could mean mods are missing. For example, you can have the modifications installed properly, but the server’s end doesn’t. Fixing this requires the owner to install mods in the FTP panel before attempting to join. Once the server is configured with all modifications, then try to make the connection again to see if that worked.
 

If you have missing mods and cannot find them, then try searching them on your browser. Sometimes, the Steam Workshop won’t display the correct modification, leading to problems. Hopefully, using the internet with the mod’s name will return the correct page for you to subscribe. Otherwise, double-check the server’s modifications to see what exactly is missing or not enabled.
 

Useful Links

Arma 3 Workshop
How to Add Mods to an Arma 3 Server
Becoming an Admin on Your Arma 3 Server
Setting a Password for an Arma 3 Server