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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE), launch Genesis Part 1 with the map identifier Genesis. For ARK: Survival Ascended (ASA), use Genesis_WP instead. The identifiers are not interchangeable, and the SteamCMD installation procedure below is for an ASE dedicated server.
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You will need a 64-bit Windows or Linux machine, SteamCMD, a correctly configured launch script, router and firewall rules for the game and query ports, and enough memory and storage for the world to grow. The complete process is: install the dedicated-server files, launch the correct map, forward the required UDP ports, verify local and external connectivity, then secure and maintain the instance.
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Confirm the game edition and map identifier first
Genesis Part 1 has different startup identifiers in the two ARK editions. Check which game your players own before installing anything.
| Game edition | Genesis Part 1 identifier | Installation scope |
|---|---|---|
| ARK: Survival Evolved | Genesis |
The SteamCMD workflow and app ID in this guide apply to ASE. |
| ARK: Survival Ascended | Genesis_WP |
Use the ASA server distribution and its documentation; do not substitute the ASE SteamCMD app. |
Gen2 is Genesis Part 2, not Part 1. Starting an ASE server with that identifier will load the wrong expansion.
#1 Best Overall
- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Prerequisites for an ASE Genesis server
Hardware and operating system
- Use a 64-bit Windows or Linux host. A home PC, a separately managed virtual machine, or a managed ARK dedicated server can work if it gives you the required network access.
- Linux requires glibc 2.17 or newer.
- Windows requires the documented Visual C++ 2013 x64 redistributable and DirectX June 2010 runtimes. Install these before troubleshooting a startup failure.
- Give the server a stable local IP address, either with a static address or a DHCP reservation. Port forwarding breaks when the router sends traffic to a different address after a lease change.
Storage and memory planning
| Resource | Published figure | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|
| Base installation storage | Approximately 18 GiB | ARK Official Community Wiki figure for the server files before saves, profiles, logs, updates, and mods consume additional space. |
| Fresh Genesis Part 1 memory use | Approximately 5–6 GiB of RAM | Empty-map estimate from the ARK Official Community Wiki; active players and accumulated world objects increase usage. |
Treat the memory number as a baseline, not a guaranteed capacity. Leave operating-system headroom and monitor the process after players, structures, creatures, and mods have populated the map. Reserve substantially more disk space than the base install so an update or backup cannot fill the volume.
Install the ASE dedicated-server files with SteamCMD
SteamCMD is Valve’s command-line installer. Create a directory dedicated to the server and another location for backups before you begin. Avoid placing the live server inside a personal desktop or downloads folder that might be cleaned automatically.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Download and extract SteamCMD for your operating system.
- Open a terminal or command prompt and change to the SteamCMD directory.
- Run the following commands, replacing
<install_dir>with the absolute path you want to use:
force_install_dir <install_dir>
login anonymous
app_update 376030 validate
exitApp ID 376030 is the ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated-server application. validate checks the downloaded files and can take longer than a normal update. Run the same app_update 376030 validate sequence whenever you intentionally update or repair the ASE installation, after stopping the running server and backing up its data.
Windows notes
Install the required Visual C++ and DirectX runtimes, then use a batch file in the server directory. Running the batch file from that directory makes relative save, configuration, and log paths predictable. Give the Windows service account or user that starts the server permission to read and write the entire installation and save locations.
Rank #2
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Linux notes
Use a dedicated unprivileged account where possible, verify that glibc meets the requirement, and run the executable from the installation directory. A terminal multiplexer or a service manager keeps the process alive after you disconnect from SSH. Configure automatic restarts only after you have confirmed that the server shuts down cleanly and that a restart loop will not overwrite useful error information.
Create the Genesis Part 1 launch command
For ASE, the essential map and session syntax is:
ShooterGameServer Genesis?SessionName=<server_name>?ServerPassword=<join_password>?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=<max_players>?ServerAdminPassword=<admin_password>On Windows, use the executable appropriate to your installation, commonly ShooterGameServer.exe. On Linux, use the corresponding ShooterGameServer binary. Keep the question-mark separators exactly as shown; each option follows the map name in the same command line.
| Parameter | Purpose | Safe handling |
|---|---|---|
Genesis |
Loads Genesis Part 1 in ASE. | Do not replace it with Gen2; use Genesis_WP only for ASA. |
SessionName |
The name players see in the server browser. | Use a distinctive name and avoid misleading tags. |
ServerPassword |
Restricts player joins. | Remove this option entirely for an open server. Do not reuse the administrator password. |
Port |
The gameplay port. | The example uses UDP 7777; any custom value must be forwarded and allowed through the firewall. |
QueryPort |
The browser-query port used for discovery. | The example uses UDP 27015 and must match the external rule. |
MaxPlayers |
Player-slot limit. | Set a value your CPU, memory, and connection can sustain rather than choosing a number solely for marketing. |
ServerAdminPassword |
Administrator authentication. | Use a long, unique secret and store it separately from the player join password. |
Do not put spaces or shell-special characters into a value unless you know how your operating system’s command parser handles quoting. After saving the batch or shell script, restrict write access so another local user cannot replace the administrator password or executable.
Forward ports and allow the firewall
Players need both gameplay and discovery traffic. Create router rules from the internet-facing interface to the server’s fixed local IP, then create matching operating-system firewall rules.
Rank #3
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game. Run too far and not only will you be exhausted, but you will also quickly get hungry and thirsty. Weather effects are based on real-world climates, and so you'll need to hide out from rain and snow, while making the most of sunny days
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Gather Resources, Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes and style of everything from the walls of your home, to your character's armor, weapons and more
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout. Make your way to the final boss and figure out why you've been dropped into this Jurassic-era experience
| Use | Protocol | Default port | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | UDP | 7777 | Forward to the server and allow through the host firewall. |
| Peer traffic | UDP | 7778 | Forward and allow it for the same instance. |
| Server query and browser discovery | UDP | 27015 | Forward and allow it; it must agree with QueryPort=27015. |
| RCON, if enabled | TCP | 27020 | Optional and commonly documented for RCON. Expose it only when you actually use RCON, and restrict access where your router permits. |
Do not forward a broad port range when three specific rules are sufficient. On the host, allow the server executable or the exact ports rather than disabling the firewall. Test from a connection outside your home network; a test from the same LAN can succeed through local routing even when internet clients cannot connect.
When forwarding appears correct but nobody can join
- Confirm that the router’s WAN address is a public address. Carrier-grade NAT, a second router, or an upstream modem in router mode can prevent unsolicited inbound traffic. Put the modem in bridge mode, forward through every routing layer, or ask the internet provider for a public address.
- Check that the server is listening on the intended ports and that no other application has claimed them.
- Verify that the operating-system rule applies to the active network profile and the correct executable.
- Have a remote player search for the exact session name and, if supported by the client, try a direct connection to the host’s public address and gameplay port.
Start the world and verify it in stages
- Stop any older ARK server process that might be using the same files or ports.
- Run the launch script from the server directory.
- Wait for world initialization to finish. The first start can take longer while saves and map data are created.
- Read the console for a clean listening state rather than closing the window as soon as the executable appears.
- From a client on the same network, check whether the server responds. This separates a launch problem from a router problem.
- From a different internet connection, search the server browser using the exact session name. If browser discovery fails but a direct connection works, investigate the query port and filtering rather than reinstalling the map.
- Join with a test account, confirm that the password behavior is correct, and verify that the player limit and administrator credentials work as intended.
Documentation establishes the configuration and networking requirements; it does not provide a benchmark for your particular processor, connection, or player load. Record CPU, memory, disk, and network use during a real session before increasing the slot limit.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesMake the server usable and secure
Passwords and access
Use separate secrets for player access and administration. If the server is private, retain ServerPassword and distribute it through a trusted channel. For a public server, remove that parameter but keep the administrator password strong and private. Never paste the administrator password into a public server name, description, screenshot, or support post.
Backups
Back up the world save, player profiles, configuration files, and logs to storage outside the live installation. Keep more than one dated backup and test restoring one on a separate directory. A backup made while the process is actively writing may be inconsistent, so schedule it after a clean shutdown or use a method that safely snapshots open files.
Rank #4
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Updates and mods
Before an update, announce downtime, stop the server, copy the save and configuration data, run SteamCMD with the ASE app ID, and start the server again. If you add mods, allow extra download, startup, and memory time and verify that every client can obtain the same content. Do not assume a mod update is harmless to an existing world; retain the pre-update backup until players have confirmed that the map loads correctly.
Genesis-specific compatibility checks
Genesis Part 1 is a paid expansion. Confirm that every intended player owns the relevant DLC and is using the same game edition as the server. An ASE client cannot join an ASA server simply because both are labeled Genesis, and an ASA client should not be pointed at an ASE installation.
If a player sees the server but is rejected while other players join, check edition, game build, DLC ownership, password entry, and mod synchronization in that order. Do not change the map identifier to solve a client entitlement problem.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Running more than one ARK instance
Each instance needs its own game, peer, query, and—when used—RCON port. The additional instance’s launch script must point to separate save and configuration locations; otherwise two processes can corrupt or overwrite the same world data.
| Resource | Single-instance example | Multiple-instance requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Game port | UDP 7777 | Choose a different UDP port for each additional server and forward it to the same host. |
| Peer port | UDP 7778 | Assign a unique companion port for each instance. |
| Query port | UDP 27015 | Use a unique query port so browsers can identify each server. |
| RCON port | TCP 27020 when enabled | Give every RCON-enabled instance a unique TCP port and protect it like an administrative interface. |
Start and test one instance completely before adding another. A port conflict can make the second process appear to start while leaving it undiscoverable.
Self-hosting versus a managed ARK server
Self-hosting gives you direct control over files, scripts, mods, backups, and network policy. A managed ARK dedicated server shifts much of the operating-system and router work to the provider. The right choice depends on whether you want infrastructure control or a simpler operational burden.
| Decision factor | Self-hosted | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | You supply hardware, electricity or virtual-machine capacity, storage, and internet service. | You pay a recurring service charge; current prices vary by provider, location, memory, and slot plan. |
| Mods and configuration | Full access to launch scripts, files, mods, and operating-system settings. | Usually controlled through a panel and provider-supported options; verify mod and file access before committing. |
| Ports and firewall | You must handle router forwarding, firewall rules, public addressing, and NAT complications. | The provider normally exposes the assigned ports, while you still configure the game through its panel. |
| Backups | You design, store, and test your own backup process. | Backup frequency, retention, and restoration tools depend on the service; confirm them rather than assuming they are included. |
| Geographic latency | You choose the physical or virtual host location, subject to your ISP and available regions. | You select from the provider’s available regions; test latency from the actual player group. |
| Player capacity | Limited by your CPU, memory, storage, and upload capacity. | Limited by the selected plan and provider node; a larger slot count may require more memory. |
| Upgrade effort | You install updates, resolve runtime issues, and recover failed services. | The provider may automate updates and restarts, but you have less control over timing and underlying fixes. |
Whichever route you choose, ask how the service handles Genesis Part 1, save downloads, mod installation, port changes, scheduled updates, and full-world restoration. A managed plan removes infrastructure chores; it does not remove the need to verify edition, map identifier, passwords, backups, and client compatibility.
Troubleshooting by symptom
The executable closes immediately
- Check that you installed the 64-bit build and are launching from the server directory.
- On Windows, install or repair the Visual C++ 2013 x64 and DirectX June 2010 runtimes.
- On Linux, verify glibc 2.17 or newer and execute under an account with access to the installation and save directories.
- Run the command in a terminal so that the error remains visible, then correct one issue at a time.
The server starts on the wrong map
Inspect the first token after ShooterGameServer. ASE Genesis Part 1 must read Genesis; Gen2 loads Genesis Part 2. For ASA, the identifier is Genesis_WP, but the ASE executable and SteamCMD app are not the ASA setup.
The server runs locally but is invisible online
Recheck the fixed local IP, the three UDP forwarding rules, host firewall scope, the query-port value, and any second router or carrier-grade NAT. Browser discovery depends on query traffic; a failure there does not necessarily mean the world process itself is broken.
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Confirm UDP gameplay and peer traffic, not just the query port. Check that the public address has not changed, the server is not exhausting memory or upload capacity, and the client has the required expansion and matching build.
Memory or disk usage keeps climbing
Genesis Part 1’s published empty-map memory figure excludes growth from players and world objects. Watch the process over several sessions, remove obsolete logs or old installers only after backing them up, and expand the volume before it reaches capacity. If the host is consistently swapping or terminating the process, reduce the player limit or move to a machine with more headroom.
Quick Recap
Final launch checklist
- Edition confirmed: ASE uses
Genesis; ASA usesGenesis_WP. - ASE SteamCMD app
376030installed and validated. - 64-bit operating system and required runtime prerequisites installed.
- Server launch script contains a unique session name, appropriate password settings, the intended player limit, and a separate administrator password.
- UDP 7777, UDP 7778, and UDP 27015 are forwarded to the server’s fixed local IP and allowed by the host firewall.
- TCP 27020 is forwarded only if RCON is enabled and needed.
- Storage exceeds the approximately 18 GiB base installation and leaves room for saves, logs, updates, and mods.
- Memory monitoring accounts for the approximately 5–6 GiB fresh-map baseline plus player and world growth.
- Local and external connection tests both succeed.
- Backups of saves, profiles, configuration, and logs exist before updates or mod changes.
- Every player has the relevant Genesis Part 1 DLC and the same game edition as the server.
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