Setting up an ARK: Survival Ascended server

Updated 4 Nov 2026

Join your server

The first start downloads ARK from Steam. It is a big download, so allow ten minutes or more. Watch the Console tab. When it stops scrolling, your server is ready.

In ARK, go to Join Game, choose Unofficial, tick Show Player Servers, and search for your name.

The basic settings

Change these on the Startup tab, then restart.

SettingWhat it does
Server NameThe name in the list.
Server PasswordEmpty for public.
Server MapFor example TheIsland_WP.
Server PvEOn means no player combat.
Max PlayersHow many can join.

Be an admin

Press Tab in game and type:

ARK console
enablecheats YourAdminPassword

Your Server Admin Password is on the Startup tab.

Add mods

  1. Copy the Project ID from each mod's CurseForge page.
  2. Put them in MOD IDs on the Startup tab, like 928102,931874.
  3. Restart. Players get the mods when they join.

Rates

Taming, harvest and XP rates are in ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/GameUserSettings.ini. Stop the server first.

Problems

It is not in the list

Tick Show Player Servers and choose Unofficial. Wait until the map has loaded.

It crashes with a mod

Remove the last mod you added and restart.

Players cannot join after an update

Restart the server so it updates.

Still stuck? Open a ticket and we will take a look.
Open a ticket

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