How To Host An ARK Server — Local and Internet Dedicated Servers (2024)

Playing ARK: Survival Evolved is exciting, but choosing a decent ARK server host solution can be a challenge and could cost you a lot.

Good thing is you could go for the cheaper route of setting up your own ARK dedicated server. In this article, we will share how to host an ARK server in a detailed guide below to prevent you from spending unnecessary cash.

The operating system must be a 64-bit OS. Our team reiterates the need to have an operating system of at least 64-bit OS, because without an operating system of this data storage, you won’t be able to run the system.

For example, if you are running a Microsoft server, then you will need the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and DirectX, both of which can be located in the Steam ARK game folder.

An important step is to decide whether you want to host your server locally or through a Virtual Private Server (VPS).

This decision should be made only after you choose the operating system of your server. A Linux user will require more RAM to build the ARK: Survival Evolved game server compared to Windows.

The operating system should be Windows 7 + (Windows 10 is preferred) for the PC or Windows Server 2012 + (Windows 2019 is preferred) for the server.

Your ARK server will also require a Quad-Core processor (single-thread performance preferred), with a server access to 8 GB RAM (although 6 GB memory suffices for 100 players), and 5 GB hard disk space.

We listed the steps you are required to follow for hosting an ARK server on Windows.

The first step is to get the game server files from SteamCMD. Two methods allow you to get these:

You have to create a file where you want to store your ARK game server hosting files. Inside this folder, you will need to place the downloading SteamCMD.exe file. Then, you must create a batch file named SteamCMD.bat. The SteamCMD.bat file should contain the following code:

@echo off

start “” steamcmd.exe +login USER PASS +force_install_dir “C:\Some\Path\Where\You\Want\Game\Server\Files\To\Go” +app_update 346110 validate +quit

Right-click on the batch file and select Run as Administrator. The game files should be downloaded using Steam.

Right-click on the ARK: Survival Evolved from Steam and select the Properties option. Then, click on the Local Files tab and then click on the Browse button.

Setting up your ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server requires you to create a batch file named ARK.bat in the previously created SteamCMD file (step 1) or your Steam common file (step 2).

In this batch you will have to place the following code:

start ShooterGameServer.exe “TheIsland?Port=27015?QueryPort=27016?SessionName=SURVIVALSERVERS?MaxPlayers=127?listen?ServerPassword=MYPASSWORD?ServerAdminPassword=MYPASSWORD” -nosteamclient -game -server –log

Before running the batch file that will start up your server, you will have to customize some parameters: ServerPassword, ServerAdminPassword, MapName, and SessionName.

Open a text editor and copy the code below for instant setup:

<#! /bin/bash

./ShooterGameServerTheIsland?SessionName=MySuperAwesomeArkServer?ServerPassword=testpassword?

ServerAdminPassword=megasecretadminpass Port=27015?QueryPort=27016?listen

Next, save the file in the Linux server files folder. To start the server, open the terminal window and type the file name.

However, keep in mind that you have to check if you can run the script as Linux can be moody when it comes to security options. This check can be done by opening the terminal in the same location as the created file. Next, type in the following command that makes the file executable:

$chmod +x startserver.sh

You can start the server anytime by opening a terminal window from the folder and typing the following command:

./startserver.sh

Other methods might give you more control over scheduled updates or restarts. However, for playing with friends, installing using Steam UI should do fine.

The first step is to open Steam and to navigate to Tools under the Library drop-down list. Scroll down until you find ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server.

Right-click on this and choose Install Game. The location is \Program Files\(x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Evolved Dedicated Server.

Now, all you have to do is to create a batch file with the following syntax:

start ShooterGameServer.exe “TheIsland?SessionName=ArkServer?ServerPassword=testpassword?ServerAdminPassword=adminpassword Port=27015?QueryPort=27016?listen”

exit

If you are using Linux, the command is slightly different as you will be using a shell file instead of a batch one.

#! /bin/bash

./ShooterGameServerTheIsland?SessionName=ArkServer?ServerPassword=testpassword?ServerAdminPassword=adminpassword Port=27015?QueryPort=27016?listen

After you customize the passwords, server name, and map, click on File, then on Save As. For Windows, keep in mind to alter the Save as type: to All Files then rename it under startserver.bat. Click on Save, and you are done.

For Linux, save the file as startserver.sh and make it executable – right-click on it, go to Properties and tick Allow executing file as program from the Permissions tab.

Windows users will just have to click on the batch file, while Linux enthusiasts will have to run the following command line: ./startserver.sh.

The Steam CMD installation method is meant for power users or for those who use VPS servers. SteamCMD represents the command version of the Steam workshop client.

The feature is a little complicated, so our team recommends using third-party tools such as ARK Server Manager, ARK Commander, or BattleMetricsRCOM. These are easy to use features that allow you to spawn different entities like dinos or Steam workshop mods with a single command line.

If you choose to rent a VPS or a dedicated server and set up an ARK: Survival Evolved game server, this can be easily done. However, there are some features to which you should pay attention.

You do not control the 3rd party tools or their game servers, and you might experience hardware limitations, security requirements, or bandwidth limitations. Apart from that, the steps presented in this guide work fine.

Also, most server hosting providers have knowledge bases and customer service available to assist you with your queries. The best ARK server hosting companies offer FTP access and DDoS protection features to their customers. But it all comes with a price that might change your budget.

If you want other users to connect to your game server, you have to configure the firewall so it will not block them.

For Windows users, this is a very easy activity that requires only tweaking some settings:

Go to Start and type Firewall. Choose Inbound Rule, then New Rule. Select the Port and then click on Next. Choose TCP and then Specific local ports, then type 27020. Click Next, then select to Allow the connection, and click Next.

A new dialog box appears displaying three options: Domain, Private, and Public. Tick whichever is relevant to you, and then click on Next. In the Name area, type in ARK Server TCP and press on Finish the server settings.

The whole process will have to be repeated, but you have to make sure to select UDP instead of TCP. Under the specific local ports, make sure to include 27015, 27016, and 7777. Make sure you keep the same settings as before and name this ARK Server UDP.

After you configured the ports, the next step is to allow access to the game server. This is done by creating a rule – go into the program and press Next. Search for ShooterGameServer file and allow both public and private connections.

In case you are playing ARK: Survival Evolved on a local locations connection, you don’t have to configure any firewall. FTP access and DDoS protection are not for you to worry at this stage.

For Linux users, it is far easier to open the firewall ports. All you need to do is to copy the following command line in your terminal:

Sudo ufw enable

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp

sudo ufw allow 27015/udp

sudo ufw allow 27016/udp

sudo ufw allow 27020/tcp

Next, you need to enter sudo iptables-L and look under Chain ufw-user-input for the different ports.

To find details on how to open your router’s firewall [1], you can perform a Google search for your specific router model or visit portforward.com.

It is essential to keep in mind that hosting users outside your network and different locations implies security risks, so you should use port forwarding only if necessary. The ports that need to be opened are 27015, 27016, and 7777, for both UDP and TCP. Just ensure that your port forwarding is correct to prevent the“Waiting for Publication” message on Ark’s Server Managerfrom appearing.

This file can be found in Program, (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\startserver.bat.

Click on Next, and make sure you tick the Open the Properties dialogue for this task when I click Finish option. If you click on finish, you will reach the General tab. Here, under Security options, tick the Run whether user is logged on or not checkbox. Also, tick the Run with the highest privileges checkbox.

Under the Configure for drop-down list, select your operating system and press on OK, and you are done with the server settings.

For the Linux operating system, this operation is very similar and faster than for Windows. All you have to do is to open Startup Applications. On the right-hand side, click on the Add option, and a new window will open. In this window, put the name of the ARK server and browse to the shell file locations. For SteamCMD users, one of the locations is /home/Ubuntu/arkserver/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux.

Click on Add, and now your server will start on login.

(For related page, you can checkhow to setup a FiveM server here)

Want to fully automate your Ark server setup? Here are some tips onhow to properly use Ark Server Manager.

Backing up your server data is very easy even without a live chat support to walk you through. As a server host, the first time your ARK server hosting is run, you will get a folder named ShooterGame/Saved. This folder contains various configuration and saved files.

To backup your ARK server before updating it to a new release, all you have to do is copy the previously mentioned folder and all its content to the chosen backup location.

If you love playing on PS4, here arethe most reliable ARK PS4 server rental we reviewed.

You can host your own ARK server for free but you will have to pay for renting a VPS or a dedicated server.

To get your money back, you should learnhow to make money from game server hosting in this guide.

However, if you are looking for an Ark server, you can check the following list too!

• The best Ark server hosting we reviewed
• The best South America Ark server hosting
• The best Ark server hosting in Australia