How to Download and Install Kaiserreich

Before you start

• Install Hearts of Iron IV and update it. Kaiserreich 1.7 targets HOI4 1.19.4.
• Disable other total-conversion mods in your playset.
• Back up your save games if you have ongoing campaigns.

Official download sources

The mod's own README says the only authorised download locations are listed on the official wiki, and asks players to report copies found elsewhere.

Method 1: Steam Workshop

1. Open the Kaiserreich Workshop page, or use the Steam button on our download section to open it inside Steam.
2. Click Subscribe. Steam downloads the mod.
3. Launch Hearts of Iron IV. In the Paradox launcher, create a new playset.
4. Add Kaiserreich to the playset and press Play.

Steam then updates the mod automatically whenever the team releases a patch.

Method 2: Manual install from GitHub

This follows the steps in the README shipped with Kaiserreich 1.7b:

1. Download the archive. Our red button fetches 1.7b.zip directly from the official repository.
2. Extract the .zip into Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\mod.
3. In the extracted folder, make a copy of descriptor.mod. Edit it if needed so that name and path match the folder name.
4. Rename the copy (for example Kaiserreich.mod) and move it into the mod folder itself.
5. Open the launcher and enable the mod in a playset.

The official wiki also has a detailed manual installation page.

Downloading older versions

Major Kaiserreich patches are not save-compatible. To finish an old campaign, open the GitHub tags list, download the tag that matches your save (for example 1.6.4c) and install it manually in its own folder with its own .mod file. You may also need the matching older version of Hearts of Iron IV, which Steam lets you select under the game's Betas tab when Paradox provides it.

Common problems

“Descriptor file missing”

The launcher cannot find the mod. For Workshop installs, unsubscribe and resubscribe. For manual installs, check the path line in your .mod file.

Mod shows as outdated

Your game and mod versions differ. Update both, or pair an older game version with an older mod tag.

Download link opens a page instead of a file

Make sure you are using a tag archive link from github.com/Kaiserreich. Unofficial mirrors may wrap files in ad pages; avoid them.

Safety tips

• Only download from Steam Workshop or github.com/Kaiserreich.
• The archive contains game script and asset files, not an installer. There is no .exe to run.
• Never disable antivirus protection to install a mod.