How to Host an Ark Server on PC

Welcome, Dev, to this comprehensive guide on how to host an Ark server on your PC. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or just want to enjoy the thrill of hosting your own server, we’ve got you covered. This article provides 20 consecutive headings and in-depth explanations to make the process as smooth as possible.

Table of Contents

1. Prerequisites
2. Setting up the Server
3. Configuring the Server
4. Port Forwarding
5. Joining the Server
6. Troubleshooting
7. FAQ

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the guide, let’s ensure you have all the necessary prerequisites to set up an Ark server on your PC.

Minimum System Requirements

Component	Minimum Requirement
Operating System	Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit)
Processor	2 GHz Dual-Core 64-bit CPU
Memory	8 GB RAM
Storage	50 GB available space (SSD recommended)
Internet Connection	Broadband with at least 2 Mbps upload speed

Game Installation

You need to have the Steam version of Ark installed on your PC before proceeding. You can purchase and download it from the official Steam website.

Steam Account

You need to have a valid Steam account to be able to start and manage the server. If you don’t have an account, create one for free on the Steam website.

Setting up the Server

Now that you have all the prerequisites, let’s dive into setting up the server.

Step 1: Download and Install the Server

To download and install the server, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and navigate to the “Tools” section.
2. Search for “Ark Dedicated Server” and download it.
3. Once downloaded, navigate to your Steam library and click on the “Tools” tab.
4. Find “Ark Dedicated Server” and double-click it to launch it.
5. Click “Install Server” and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Step 2: Configure the Server

After installing the server, you need to configure it. Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the server installation directory. It should be located in the same directory where you installed Ark.
2. Open the “ShooterGame” folder and then the “Saved” folder.
3. Create a new text file named “ServerStart.bat”.
4. Right-click on the file and select “Edit”.
5. Enter the following text:

start ShooterGameServer.exe "TheIsland?SessionName=MyServer?ServerPassword=MyPassword?ServerAdminPassword=MyAdminPassword?MaxPlayers=20 -server -log"

6. Edit the server name, password, admin password, and maximum number of players as per your preference.
7. Save the file and exit.

Step 3: Start the Server

Now that you’ve configured the server, it’s time to start it. Follow these steps:

1. Double-click on the “ServerStart.bat” file you just created.
2. The server console should launch, and you should see messages indicating that the server is starting up.
3. Wait for a few minutes until the server is fully started and ready to use.
4. You have now successfully set up and started an Ark server on your PC.

Configuring the Server

After starting the server, you might want to configure it further to suit your preferences. Here are some of the most commonly used configurations:

Server Settings

You can configure the server settings by editing the “GameUserSettings.ini” file located in the “Config” folder of the server installation directory. Here are some of the settings you can change:

1. DifficultyLevel: Determines the level of difficulty of the game. The higher the value, the harder it is to play.
2. MaxTamedDinos: Determines the maximum number of tamed dinosaurs per tribe. The default value is 500.
3. MaxStructuresInRange: Determines the maximum number of structures that can be built in a certain area. The default value is 1300.
4. TamingSpeedMultiplier: Determines the speed at which dinosaurs are tamed. The default value is 1.
5. XPMultiplier: Determines the rate at which players gain experience points. The default value is 1.

Admin Commands

You can execute admin commands on the server console by typing “admincheat” followed by the command. Here are some of the most commonly used admin commands:

1. giveitemnum: Gives an item to a player.
2. settimeofday: Sets the time of day on the server.
3. fly: Enables or disables flying mode.
4. god: Enables or disables invincibility mode.
5. destroytribestructures: Destroys all structures of a certain tribe.

Port Forwarding

To allow players to join your server, you need to forward the necessary ports on your router. Follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address. You can find it in the router’s manual or by typing “ipconfig” in the command prompt.
2. Log in to your router’s admin panel using your username and password.
3. Navigate to the port forwarding section.
4. Add a new port forwarding rule for port 7777 (UDP protocol).
5. Save the changes and restart the router.

Joining the Server

After setting up and configuring the server, you can now invite players to join. Here’s how:

Step 1: Share the Server Details

Share the server details with your friends, including the server name, IP address, and port number.

Step 2: Join the Server

Players can join your server by following these steps:

1. Open Ark and click on “Join Ark.”
2. Enter the server name, IP address, and port number.
3. Click “Join” and wait for the connection to be established.
4. Players can now enjoy playing on your server.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while setting up or running the server, try the following troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check the Server Logs

If the server fails to start or crashes, check the server logs located in the “ShooterGame/Saved/Logs” folder. Look for any error messages that might provide clues about the issue.

Step 2: Update the Server

If the server is outdated, update it to the latest version by launching Steam and updating the “Ark Dedicated Server.”

Step 3: Check the Firewall

Ensure that your firewall is not blocking the server ports. Add a new exception to allow incoming traffic on port 7777 (UDP protocol).

Step 4: Verify Game Files

If the game files are corrupted, verify them by right-clicking Ark in your Steam library, selecting “Properties,” and clicking on “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”

FAQ

1. Can I play on the server and host it at the same time?

No, you cannot play and host the server at the same time on the same PC.

2. Can I host the server without an internet connection?

No, you need an active internet connection to host an Ark server.

3. Can I customize the server settings after starting it?

Yes, you can edit the “GameUserSettings.ini” file located in the “Config” folder of the server installation directory to customize the server settings.

4. How many players can join my server?

The maximum number of players that can join your server depends on the hardware specifications of your PC and internet connection speed.

5. How often should I back up my server files?

You should back up your server files regularly to prevent data loss in case of any unforeseen events. We recommend backing up your files every week.

6. How can I remove a tribe’s structures from my server?

You can use the admin command “destroytribestructures” followed by the tribe ID to destroy all structures of a certain tribe.

7. Can I host a modded server?

Yes, you can host a modded server by downloading and installing the necessary mods on your PC and configuring the server accordingly.

8. Can I run multiple servers on the same PC?

Yes, you can run multiple servers on the same PC, but it might impact the performance of your PC and internet connection.

9. What should I do if my server crashes frequently?

You should investigate the cause of the crashes by checking the server logs and verifying the game files. If the issue persists, you can contact the official Ark support for assistance.

10. Can I use a third-party hosting service to host my server?

Yes, you can use a third-party hosting service to host your server, but it might come at an additional cost.

With that, we conclude our guide on how to host an Ark server on your PC. We hope you found it informative and helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to refer to our FAQ section or reach out to the official Ark support.