# How to Install an ARK: Survival Evolved Server?

How to Install an ARK: Survival Evolved Server? – Step-by-step guide for your Ark on NexoraHost.

**Quick answer:** Set up your server step by step – check requirements, install files, configure ports and start the service.

# 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)

    - Open your Steam library
- Enable the **Tools** category in the filter settings
- Search for **ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server**
- 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

    - Launch ARK: Survival Evolved
- Click **Multiplayer**
- Select **Unofficial Servers**
- Search for your server name
- Select the server and join
- 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

    
        Server Type
        RAM
        CPU
    

    
        Single map, 10-20 players
        8-12 GB
        4 cores at 3.5 GHz+
    

    
        Single map, 20-50 players
        12-16 GB
        4-6 cores at 4.0 GHz+
    

    
        Cluster (multiple maps)
        16-32 GB
        6-8 cores at 4.2 GHz+
    

    
        Cluster with mods
        24-48 GB
        8 cores at 4.5 GHz+
    

## 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