Ped Damage Overhaul INI File Not Found? 5 Mod Installation Fixes That Solve 80% of Cases

So you installed Ped Damage Overhaul. You launched the game. You expected glorious realism. And instead… boom. “INI file not found.” Frustrating, right? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. This error is surprisingly common, and the good news is: it’s usually easy to fix.

TLDR: Most “INI file not found” errors happen because the mod files are in the wrong folder, Script Hook V is missing or outdated, the archive wasn’t extracted properly, or your mod loader isn’t working. Reinstalling cleanly fixes most cases. Checking your directory structure is the fastest win. Follow the five fixes below and you’ll likely solve it in under 20 minutes.

Let’s break it down in simple terms. No tech jargon. No guesswork. Just clear steps that work in 80% of cases.

Contents

First: What Does “INI File Not Found” Actually Mean?

An INI file is just a settings file. It tells the mod how to behave.

When the game says it can’t find it, one of these things is happening:

  • The file is in the wrong folder.
  • The file was never extracted.
  • The script loader can’t read it.
  • The mod didn’t install correctly.
  • The file name changed.

That’s it. Nothing mystical. Just a missing or misplaced file.

Let’s fix it.

Fix #1: Check Your Main Game Directory (The #1 Mistake)

This solves more cases than anything else.

Many players accidentally place Ped Damage Overhaul inside:

  • The mods folder
  • A subfolder inside scripts
  • The downloads folder
  • A nested “PedDamageOverhaul” folder inside another PedDamageOverhaul folder

The INI file must sit in the correct location.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Open your main GTA V directory.
  2. This is the folder where GTA5.exe is located.
  3. Open your scripts folder.
  4. Confirm the Ped Damage Overhaul files are directly inside it.

It should look like this:

  • scripts folder
    • PedDamageOverhaul.dll
    • PedDamageOverhaul.ini

If your INI is buried inside extra folders, move it up one level.

gta v directory folder structure windows explorer, scripts folder</ai-img]

Pro tip: If you see something like this, it’s wrong:

  • scripts
    • PedDamageOverhaul_1.2
      • PedDamageOverhaul.dll
      • PedDamageOverhaul.ini

Move those files up directly into scripts. That alone fixes a ton of cases.

Fix #2: Make Sure You Extracted the Archive Properly

Another classic mistake.

You downloaded the mod. You opened the ZIP. You dragged one file. And forgot the rest.

Or worse. You didn’t extract it at all.

Windows sometimes lets you view ZIP files like folders. But that doesn’t mean they’re installed.

To fix this:

  1. Right-click the downloaded ZIP file.
  2. Click Extract All.
  3. Choose a temporary folder on your desktop.
  4. Open that extracted folder.
  5. Copy the contents into your scripts directory.

Double-check that the INI file is physically there. Not inside a compressed archive.

If your INI file size is 0 KB, delete it and extract again. Corrupt extraction happens more often than you think.

Fix #3: Update (or Reinstall) Script Hook V and ScriptHookVDotNet

Ped Damage Overhaul depends on script loaders to work.

If those are outdated, the mod won’t initialize properly. And when that happens, it may claim the INI file is missing — even when it’s not.

Here’s what to check:

  • Do you have the latest Script Hook V?
  • Do you have the correct version of ScriptHookVDotNet?
  • Did GTA V update recently?

If GTA updated, your script hook might have broken.

Steps:

  1. Download the latest Script Hook V.
  2. Replace the old files in your main GTA V folder.
  3. Download the latest ScriptHookVDotNet.
  4. Replace the files inside your scripts folder.

script hook v files gta v folder windows explorer view</ai-img]

Now launch the game again.

This single reinstallation fixes a huge number of mysterious errors.

Fix #4: Check the INI File Name

This one is sneaky.

Sometimes the file exists. But the name changed slightly.

Common problems:

  • PedDamageOverhaul.ini.txt
  • peddamageoverhaul.ini
  • PedDamageOverhaul (1).ini

Windows hides file extensions by default. So you may not realize there’s an extra “.txt” at the end.

Here’s how to fix it:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click View.
  3. Enable File name extensions.

Now check the full name.

It must be exactly what the mod expects.

If there’s extra text, rename it carefully.

Also confirm you don’t have two copies. Duplicate INI files can confuse some scripts.

Fix #5: Delete and Reinstall Clean (The Nuclear Reset)

If nothing else worked, don’t patch it.

Start fresh.

Here’s the clean method:

  1. Delete PedDamageOverhaul.dll.
  2. Delete PedDamageOverhaul.ini.
  3. Remove any duplicate folders related to it.
  4. Verify Script Hook files are correct.
  5. Re-download the mod from a trusted source.
  6. Extract fresh.
  7. Install only the required files.

Do not reuse old files.

Old INI versions sometimes conflict with new DLL versions.

windows delete file confirmation dialog, mod cleanup, file manager</ai-img]

After reinstalling, launch the game without adding any other new mods. Test it alone first.

If it works, you’re good.

Bonus: Check for Mod Conflicts

If you’re running 40+ mods, conflicts happen.

Mods that affect:

  • Ped behavior
  • Combat mechanics
  • Damage scaling
  • Health systems

…can clash with Ped Damage Overhaul.

Try this:

  1. Temporarily remove other combat-related mods.
  2. Test the game.
  3. Add them back one at a time.

Yes, it’s slow.

But it works.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Before you panic, run through this checklist:

  • Is the INI in the scripts folder?
  • Is it fully extracted?
  • Does it have the correct name?
  • Are Script Hook V files updated?
  • Did GTA update recently?
  • Did you reinstall clean?

If you answer “no” to any of those, you’ve likely found the problem.

Why This Error Feels Scarier Than It Is

The words “file not found” sound serious.

But in reality?

It usually means something is in the wrong folder.

That’s it.

You don’t need coding skills.

You don’t need to reinstall GTA.

You just need clean structure.

Mods are picky about placement. Exact names. Exact folders.

Think of it like a key and a lock.

Right key. Right slot. It works.

Final Thoughts

Ped Damage Overhaul is worth the effort. The realism boost makes combat far more intense. Gunfights feel heavier. Injuries feel meaningful. It transforms gameplay.

And the “INI file not found” issue?

It’s almost always fixable.

Start with folder placement. Then extraction. Then script hook updates. Finish with a clean reinstall if needed.

Take it step by step. Don’t rush.

You’ll likely solve it faster than you expect.

Now go fix that folder. And enjoy the realism.

Happy modding.

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