What causes "unknown key" to show on mods?

[Verok]

It seems like over the last few months I've been getting more and more mods that have "unknown key" both on the tech tree and on the crafting screens. What causes this? Is it from a mod conflict, or is it from incompatibility with the game version, or something else? Is this something I can fix myself on the mods?

[Decker]

I know this is pretty old; but I found this on a google search for 'unknown key'
If there is a space around the = in locale file, then it generates this message.
some-tech = Some kind of Technology is wrong
some-tech=Some kind of Technology is correct.

[lightningdragon10065]

Originally posted by Decker:

I know this is pretty old; but I found this on a google search for 'unknown key'
If there is a space around the = in locale file, then it generates this message.
some-tech = Some kind of Technology is wrong
some-tech=Some kind of Technology is correct.

Yep, this is basically it. "unknown-key" basically means the localization for the item in question is either formatted incorrectly or missing entirely.

[piccolo255]

Originally posted by bearhiderug:

if unknown key pops up is it a waste to research?

Pretty sure it's just a display error. Localization strings are not loaded properly, so game says "unknown key" and gives you the internal name. It shouldn't impact functionality, as that is stored in a separate file, and works/is loaded differently.

[Kintharo]

Modder here. It is a localization bug. Even i try everytime to do it right, it still happens to me. But it is not a gamebreaker, it doesn't do anything. Just looks ugly