If youโre a fan of Schedule 1 and run into the frustrating “MelonLoader not working” issue, youโre not alone.
This is a common challenge in the modding community, but the good news is that itโs usually fixable.
This guide will explain whatโs causing the problem and walk you through step-by-step solutions to get your mods running again.
๐ Understanding the Problem
MelonLoader is a universal mod loader for Unity-based games like Schedule 1.
It injects code into the gameโs executable so it can load mods (plugins) that add or change features.
When MelonLoader fails, the cause is often:
- ๐ Mod incompatibility
- ๐ Incorrect file placement
- ๐ Missing permissions
- โ ๏ธ Software conflicts
- ๐ Corrupted game files
Symptoms include the game not launching, crashing instantly, or mods not loading.
๐งฉ Outdated or Incompatible Mods
When Schedule 1 updates, older mods may no longer work because of game code changes.
๐ก Fix:
- โ Check compatibility โ Visit the modโs page to confirm it supports your current game version.
- ๐ Remove and re-add mods โ Clear your
Mods
andPlugins
folders, then add mods back one by one to find the problem. - ๐ฆ Use a mod manager like Thunderstore to simplify installation and avoid mismatches.
๐ Incorrect Installation or File Placement
MelonLoader and its mods must be installed in the correct locations.
๐ก Fix:
- ๐ Reinstall MelonLoader โ Delete the
MelonLoader
folder andversion.dll
file, then reinstall with the official installer. - ๐ Place mods properly โ
.dll
files should be in theMods
orPlugins
folder, not inside subfolders.
๐ Administrative Privileges & Permissions
Windows security can prevent MelonLoader from injecting into the game.
๐ก Fix:
- ๐ฑ Run as Administrator โ Right-click your gameโs
.exe
file and choose Run as Administrator. - โ Adjust folder permissions โ Give your Windows account Full Control over the gameโs folder.
๐ซ Conflicts with Other Software
Antivirus programs, firewalls, or other mod loaders can interfere with MelonLoader.
๐ก Fix:
- ๐ก Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily โ If it works, add exceptions for Schedule 1 and MelonLoader.
- ๐งน Remove old mod loaders completely before installing MelonLoader.
๐ Game File Issues
Damaged or missing game files can break MelonLoader.
๐ก Fix:
- ๐ Verify game integrity โ On Steam:
Right-click game โ Properties โ Installed Files โ Verify integrity of game files
.
๐ง Advanced Troubleshooting
- ๐ Check log files โ Open
MelonLoader/Logs
for error details. - ๐ฆ Try manual installation โ Extract MelonLoader files directly into the game folder instead of using the installer.
- ๐ง Linux/Proton setup โ Configure
WINEDLLOVERRIDES
or follow the MelonLoader Wiki instructions.
โ Final Tip
Work through each fix one at a time.
With patience, you can get MelonLoader running smoothly and enjoy your modded Schedule 1 experience again.
More troubleshooting guide here.
Should melonloader work through cross over on mac?
It’s a great question, and the accurate answer is that MelonLoader can be made to work on a Mac through CrossOver, but it is not officially supported and will likely require manual configuration. It’s not a simple, “plug-and-play” process.
Here’s a breakdown of the technical details and common issues:
No Official Support: The developers of MelonLoader do not have macOS devices for testing and development, so they cannot provide official support. This means that any success is a result of community-found workarounds.
Missing Dependencies: MelonLoader is a Windows application and requires Windows-specific dependencies to run. You will need to install the following directly into your CrossOver bottle:
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015-2019).
The correct version of the .NET Desktop Runtime (often .NET 6.0).
The version.dll Problem: A very common issue is that the version.dll file, which MelonLoader uses to load into a game, does not function as intended in the CrossOver environment. The most widely reported fix for this is:
Rename version.dll to winhttp.dll in the game’s installation directory.
Open the CrossOver Wine Configuration for that bottle.
Go to the “Libraries” tab and add an override for winhttp. Set its load order to native, then builtin.
Instability and Performance: Since you are using a compatibility layer, there’s a higher chance of encountering crashes, performance issues, or conflicts with certain mods. The experience can vary significantly from one game to another.