Cyberpunk 2.5 Mods Not Working? Fixes by Error Message

Start with the error message and logs, then check framework and mod-manager requirements. These are troubleshooting steps for Update 2.5, not a diagnosis of every crash. The 2.5 compatibility table separates reviewed author support from publication dates for the projects we track.

The game closes right after launch

Symptom: after updating to 2.5 the game shows the logos, then closes without an error.

First check: whether your RED4ext loader and plugins support your installed game patch. A report on the ArchiveXL tracker from 22 October 2026 describes every RED4ext plugin crashing silently at startup with RED4ext 1.30.0 and ArchiveXL 1.27.5; removing the plugins let the game start. The issue was closed on 25 October as the frameworks shipped 2.5 builds.

Fix:

1. Update RED4ext to 1.31.0 or newer. Check red4ext/logs/red4ext.log in the game folder: the first lines name the RED4ext version and the game version it detected.
2. Choose ArchiveXL, TweakXL and Codeware releases whose author notes support your game patch and installed loader. Check the reviewed framework evidence; a file date alone does not establish compatibility.
3. Still closing? Move the contents of red4ext/plugins out of the game folder, launch, then put plugins back a few at a time. The batch that brings the crash back needs further isolation; check its logs, dependencies and author notes before changing versions. The flatline crash fix walks through this isolation step by step.

“Didn't Find Expected AMM Installation!” in Vortex

Symptom: Vortex stops near the end of installing Appearance Menu Mod (AMM) with this message.

Cause: Vortex's Cyberpunk 2077 extension is older than the AMM release, so its installer does not recognise the new file layout.

Fix: update Vortex and its Cyberpunk extension to 0.13.1 or later, then install AMM again. A Vortex contributor gave this fix on 27 October 2026 in issue #24656. Older reports show the same message for ArchiveXL and Input Loader; the fix is the same. If you cannot update Vortex, install the mod manually by following the author's instructions.

“ARP is not installed”

What ARP is: the Appearance Runtime Plugin, a RED4ext plugin that AMM and Appearance Creator Mod 2.0 rely on.

Fix:

1. Install ARP from its Nexus page. It needs RED4ext, so update RED4ext first (1.31.0 or newer on 2.5).
2. Check that it loaded: an appearanceruntimeplugin log should appear in red4ext/logs. No log means RED4ext did not load it.
3. Use an ARP release whose author explicitly supports your game and RED4ext versions. If support is not documented, treat it as unverified; a newer upload date alone is not enough.

Virtual Atelier is not showing up

Work through these in order. They come from the troubleshooting notes on the Virtual Atelier mod page.

1. Install a store. Virtual Atelier adds no stores by itself. Install at least one store add-on.
2. Read the logs. red4ext/logs/red4ext.log should show a RED4ext version that matches your game, and the redscript log in r6/logs should end with a successful compilation and no errors.
3. Vortex users: turn off REDmod autoconvert before installing, and make sure the mod sits in archive/pc/mod, not in mods.
4. Broke after a Mod Settings update? One player reported that rolling Mod Settings back to 0.2.25 brought the store back. Try the newest Mod Settings release first (0.2.28 was published on 28 October 2026).

The Mods settings menu is missing

There are two different "Mods" menus. Native Settings UI adds the settings menu for Cyber Engine Tweaks (Lua) mods. Mod Settings adds one for redscript and RED4ext mods.

• Native Settings UI missing: first check whether CET is loading and Native Settings UI is installed correctly. Look for cyber_engine_tweaks.log in bin/x64/plugins/cyber_engine_tweaks. If the log is missing, verify the install path and whether CET started: update CET and RED4ext (CET now requires RED4ext), and turn off overlays such as Discord, Steam and the Xbox Game Bar if the CET overlay will not open. See the Native Settings UI guide.
• Mod Settings missing: check its installation and whether RED4ext or redscript logged a load error. Update both, then check red4ext/logs/red4ext.log.

Equipment-EX, Cyberware-EX or another mod does nothing

These mods sit on top of ArchiveXL, TweakXL, Codeware and RED4ext. A missing dependency or a version mismatch can prevent them from working. Compare the installed versions with the author’s requirements rather than using file age as a compatibility test.

1. Update the frameworks in the order given in the 2.5 compatibility guide.
2. Check the mod itself. Equipment-EX's saved release record predates the patch; this does not establish that it is broken. Check its author notes and the table’s source date. We recorded a Cyberware-EX 1.6.0 changelog for game 2.5 on its directory page.
3. Use the dependency checker to see every framework a tracked mod needs.

Still stuck

Disable every mod, install only the frameworks, and launch. If that works, add your mods back in small batches until the problem returns. Back up your saves and installed mod versions before changing the setup. A save backup alone does not restore an older game installation.

Playing on PS5 or Xbox? Console mods update through the in-game Mods menu instead. See the PS5 and Xbox mods list.