How to Fix Untranslated Hardcoded Text in a Mod Using Vault Patcher

What Vault Patcher Actually Does

Vault Patcher is a library mod that intercepts hardcoded strings inside other mods and swaps them for localization keys. It does not translate anything by itself — it only redirects text so a language file can take over. If a mod shows English text even when your game is set to another language, Vault Patcher is the tool that makes that text translatable in the first place.

Steps to Enable Localization for a Mod

1. Confirm Vault Patcher is installed alongside the mod whose text you want localized. Both must load in the same instance.

2. Locate the mod's bundled patch or translation files. Vault Patcher reads patch definitions that map a hardcoded string to a translation key.

3. Place or edit the corresponding language file (for example an en_us or your target locale file) so the new key resolves to real text.

4. Launch the game and check the mod's GUI, tooltips, and chat messages. Text that was previously frozen in English should now follow your selected language.

5. If a string still refuses to change, the mod likely builds that string at runtime rather than storing it as a literal — Vault Patcher can only redirect strings that exist as fixed literals in the compiled code.

Common Pitfalls

• Missing language entries leave raw keys visible instead of text.
• Patches written for one mod version may not match a different build, since the target string has to match exactly.
• Client-side and server-side text are handled separately; a server message may need its own patch.