How to Install an ARK: Survival Evolved Server

This guide shows you step by step how to set up an ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server – from installation and first world creation to port forwarding.

Requirements

• Operating system: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) or Windows Server 2019/2022
• Processor: 4 cores at 3.5 GHz+, strong single-core performance preferred
• RAM: At least 8 GB for the base, 16 GB recommended for mods and multiple maps
• Storage: 50 GB free disk space per map, more for mods and backups
• Network: Stable internet connection with at least 10 Mbps upload

Step 1: Install server files

There are two ways to get the server files:

Method A: Via Steam (easier)

1. Open your Steam library
2. Enable the Tools category in the filter settings
3. Search for ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server
4. Click Install and wait for the download to complete

Method B: Via SteamCMD (for headless servers)

Run SteamCMD and enter the following commands:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\ARKServer +login anonymous +app_update 376030 validate +quit

Step 2: Set up port forwarding

The following ports must be opened in your firewall:

• UDP 7777 – Game port (main connection for players)
• UDP 7778 – Game port +1 (used automatically)
• UDP 27015 – Query port (server information such as name, player count)
• TCP 27020 – RCON port (optional, for remote administration)

Windows Firewall (PowerShell as Administrator)

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "ARK Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 7777,7778,27015 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "ARK Server RCON" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 27020 -Action Allow

Then forward the ports in your router to your server's local IP address.

Step 3: Start the server and initial configuration

Navigate to the installation folder. Create a startup file start.bat with the following content:

start ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?SessionName=MyServer?MaxPlayers=20?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?ServerPassword=secret?ServerAdminPassword=admin123 -log

Explanation of parameters:

• TheIsland: Map name (other maps: Ragnarok, TheCenter, ScorchedEarth, Aberration, Extinction, Valguero, CrystalIsles, Genesis, LostIsland, Fjordur)
• SessionName: Name of your server as it appears in the server list
• MaxPlayers: Maximum number of players
• Port: Game port (default: 7777)
• QueryPort: Query port (default: 27015)
• ServerPassword: Password for players (leave empty for public server)
• ServerAdminPassword: Admin password for server management

Run start.bat. The server will now generate the world and start.

Step 4: Join the server

1. Launch ARK: Survival Evolved
2. Click Multiplayer
3. Select Unofficial Servers
4. Search for your server name
5. Select the server and join
6. Enter server password (if set)

Step 5: Adjust server configuration

Configuration files can be found in the folder ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/:

• GameUserSettings.ini: Player count, taming speed, harvest multipliers, XP rates
• Game.ini: Engram points, stack sizes, spawn rates, level distribution

Example GameUserSettings.ini

[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword=secret
ServerAdminPassword=admin123
MaxPlayers=20
TamingSpeedMultiplier=3.0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=2.0
XPMultiplier=2.0
MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.5
EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=5.0
BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=5.0

Example Game.ini

[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]
OverrideOfficialDifficulty=5.0
bUseSingleplayerSettings=false

Changes take effect after a server restart.

Hardware recommendations by server type

Common problems

• Server not showing in the list: Check query port (27015) and firewall
• Players cannot join: Check game port (7777) and port forwarding in router
• Server lags heavily: Check RAM usage, consider switching to NVMe SSD
• Mods not loading: Are mod IDs correct in GameUserSettings.ini? Check the order
• Server crashes on startup: Check if all required VC++ Redistributables are installed