How to Host Dedicated Ark Server PC

Hello, Dev! Are you tired of playing on overcrowded servers with constant lag spikes and disconnections? Well, worry no more because in this article, we’ll be guiding you step by step on how to host a dedicated Ark server on your own PC. This way, you’ll have complete control over the server and can customize it to suit your preferences.

Step 1: Server Requirements

The first step in hosting a dedicated Ark server on your PC is to ensure that your PC meets the necessary requirements. These include:

Requirement	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better	Intel Core i7-4770K/AMD Ryzen 5 1600X or better
RAM	8GB	16GB or more
Storage	100GB free space	500GB or more free space
Bandwidth	Minimum 10Mbps upload/download speed	Minimum 20Mbps upload/download speed

If your PC meets these requirements, then you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Install SteamCMD

The next step is to install SteamCMD, which is a command-line tool used to install and update Steam games. To install SteamCMD, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official SteamCMD website and download it to your PC.
2. Extract the files from the downloaded zip folder to a location of your choice.
3. Open the SteamCMD.exe file to launch the tool.

With SteamCMD installed, you’re now ready to proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Create a New Steam Account

The next step is to create a new Steam account that will be used exclusively for hosting the Ark server. This is important because it prevents any interference with your personal Steam account and ensures that only authorized users can access the server.

To create a new Steam account, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official Steam website and click on “Join Steam” in the top right corner.
2. Fill in your details in the registration form and click on “Create Account”.
3. Verify your email address and sign in to your new Steam account.

With a new Steam account created, you’re now ready to move on to the next step.

Step 4: Download the Ark Server Files

The next step is to download the Ark server files from Steam. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open SteamCMD and log in to your new Steam account by entering the following command: login your-username. You’ll be prompted to enter the account’s password.
2. Enter the following command to install the Ark server files: app_update 346110 validate. This will download the necessary files to host an Ark server.
3. Wait for the download to complete. This may take a while depending on your internet speed and the size of the files.

With the Ark server files downloaded, you’re now ready to proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Configure the Server Settings

The next step is to configure the server settings to suit your preferences. This includes setting the server name, password, game mode, and other parameters.

To configure the server settings, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the folder where the Ark server files were downloaded to.
2. Open the “ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer” folder.
3. Edit the “Game.ini” and “GameUserSettings.ini” files using a text editor like Notepad.
4. Make the necessary changes to the settings. Refer to the Ark wiki for a list of available settings and their descriptions.

With the server settings configured, you’re now ready to move on to the next step.

Step 6: Start the Server

The final step is to start the Ark server and invite your friends to join. To start the server, follow these steps:

1. Open SteamCMD and log in to your new Steam account by entering the following command: login your-username. You’ll be prompted to enter the account’s password.
2. Enter the following command to start the server: start ShooterGameServer.exe your-settings-file.ini -server -log. Replace your-settings-file.ini with the name of the ini file containing your server settings.
3. Wait for the server to start. You can monitor the progress by watching the log files.
4. Invite your friends to join by giving them the server IP address and password (if you set one).

That’s it! You’re now hosting your own dedicated Ark server on your PC. Enjoy lag-free gameplay and complete control over your server.

FAQ

1. Can I host an Ark server on my laptop?

Yes, you can host an Ark server on a laptop as long as it meets the necessary requirements. However, keep in mind that laptops are not typically designed for prolonged use as servers and may overheat or experience hardware issues.

2. How many players can join my Ark server?

The number of players that can join your Ark server depends on your PC’s hardware and internet connection speed. Generally, you can host up to 100 players on a dedicated server with high-end hardware and a fast internet connection.

3. How do I update my Ark server to the latest version?

To update your Ark server to the latest version, follow these steps:

1. Open SteamCMD and log in to your new Steam account by entering the following command: login your-username. You’ll be prompted to enter the account’s password.
2. Enter the following command to update the server: app_update 346110 validate. This will download the latest version of the Ark server files.
3. Wait for the download to complete. This may take a while depending on your internet speed and the size of the files.

4. Can I use mods on my Ark server?

Yes, you can use mods on your Ark server. To do this, you’ll need to subscribe to the mod(s) on the Steam Workshop and add them to the server’s mod list. Consult the Ark wiki for more information on how to do this.

5. Can I run other applications on my PC while hosting an Ark server?

Yes, you can run other applications on your PC while hosting an Ark server. However, keep in mind that running CPU-intensive applications may affect the server’s performance and cause lag or crashes.