How to Make a Dedicated Server on ARK

If you’re looking to learn how to make a dedicated server on ARK for complete control over your survival adventures, this guide will walk you through the essential steps. Whether you want to host it yourself or prefer a professional hosting service, you’ll be able to jump into the action in no time.

Tip: If you’d like a simpler route rather than configuring everything on your own, you can always order a pre-configured ARK server. Check out our ARK hosting plans here.

Prerequisites

A Steam account (ARK: Survival Evolved is available on Steam).
Basic knowledge of using Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Linux).
Sufficient resources (CPU/RAM) and a stable internet connection to run an ARK server.

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

Windows: Download SteamCMD from Valve’s official developer site (SteamCMD Wiki) and extract it into a folder, for example: C:\steamcmd.
Linux: Install SteamCMD via your package manager (e.g., sudo apt-get install steamcmd) or download and extract the .tar.gz file from Valve.

Note: Keep SteamCMD updated to avoid any download or update issues for server files.

Step 2: Create a Folder for Your ARK Server

Before downloading server files, create a dedicated folder to hold all ARK server data. Examples:

Windows: C:\arkserver
Linux: /home/username/arkserver

Step 3: Download and Install ARK Server Files

Open a Command Prompt or Terminal where SteamCMD is installed.
Log in to SteamCMD (login anonymous is usually enough for dedicated server files).
Use the following commands to download or update the ARK server:

force_install_dir "C:\arkserver" (Windows) force_install_dir "/home/username/arkserver" (Linux) app_update 376030 validate

Note: “376030” is the ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server App ID. validate checks and re-downloads any missing or corrupted files.

Step 4: Basic Server Configuration

After downloading completes, navigate to your arkserver folder. You can create or edit configuration files such as:

GameUserSettings.ini: Main server settings (e.g., server name, admin password, XP multipliers).
Game.ini: Advanced settings for more in-depth control (e.g., taming speed, resource respawn rates).

Hint: Refer to ARK’s official documentation or community forums for detailed explanations of each config parameter.

Step 5: Port Forwarding (If Self-Hosting)

If you’re hosting from home and want external players to join:

Log in to your router’s admin panel and forward the necessary ports (typically UDP 7777 and 7778 for the game, plus UDP 27015 for Steam queries).
Ensure these ports are allowed through any firewall on your server machine.
Find your public IP via a service like WhatIsMyIP and share it with friends so they can connect.

Step 6: Launch and Test Your Server

Create a startup script or batch file, for example:

start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?listen?SessionName=MyArkServer?ServerPassword=?ServerAdminPassword=MyAdminPass" -Port=7777 -QueryPort=27015 -log

SessionName: The name displayed in the server browser.
ServerPassword: (Optional) Password for private servers.
ServerAdminPassword: For admin commands.
Port and QueryPort: Should match your port forwarding setup.

Open ARK, go to “Join ARK,” and look for your server name. Alternatively, join directly via IP.
Verify that your settings (server name, admin password, etc.) are working correctly.

Tip: Check the server console or logs for any errors that may prevent proper operation.

Step 7: Consider Professional Hosting (Optional)

Running an ARK server can be resource-intensive. If you want a smoother experience or plan to host many players and mods, a professional hosting solution might be best. Benefits include:

Automatic updates and server maintenance
An intuitive control panel for easy setup
Scalable CPU and RAM
24/7 support for quick issue resolution

CTA: Ready for hassle-free hosting? Check out our ARK hosting plans and let us handle the technical details!

Why Make a Dedicated ARK Server?

Enjoy complete control over mods, settings, and who can join
Customize gameplay rates like XP, taming speed, and gathering
Create a stable and optimized environment for friends or a gaming community

Need Help?

If you run into any problems or need extra guidance, feel free to contact our support team via:

Support Center
Live Chat in your control panel

CTA: We’re here to help you get the most out of your dedicated ARK server. Contact Support.

By following these steps, you’ll know how to make a dedicated server on ARK—ready to tame dinosaurs, gather resources, and explore the world at your own pace. Good luck!

Don’t have a server yet? Start your ARK adventure with our hosting solutions today!