Home Cloud Serevrs Install and Configure an ARK: Survival Evolved Server on a Windows VPS

Install and Configure an ARK: Survival Evolved Server on a Windows VPS

Last updated on Feb 13, 2025

Hosting an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server on a Windows VPS allows you to create a private multiplayer experience for friends or a gaming community. This guide will walk you through installing, configuring, and optimizing an ARK server on your Windows Server VPS.

📌 Prerequisites

  • A Windows Server VPS (2016, 2019, or 2022) from VolticHost

  • Administrator access

  • At least 8GB RAM (16GB+ recommended for large servers)

  • SteamCMD installed (for downloading ARK server files)

  • Ports 7777 (UDP), 27015 (UDP), and 32330 (TCP) open in the firewall

1️⃣ Install and Set Up SteamCMD

  1. Download SteamCMD from:
    👉 https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD

  2. Extract steamcmd.zip to C:\steamcmd.

  3. Open Command Prompt (Admin) and navigate to the SteamCMD folder:

    cd C:\steamcmd

  4. Run SteamCMD:

    steamcmd.exe

  5. Log in as an anonymous user:

    login anonymous

  6. Set the installation directory for ARK:

    force_install_dir C:\ARKServer

  7. Download the ARK server files:

    app_update 376030 validate

  8. Once complete, exit SteamCMD:

    quit

✅ ARK server files are now installed!

2️⃣ Configure the ARK Server

  1. Open C:\ARKServer\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer.

  2. Edit GameUserSettings.ini with Notepad and configure basic settings.
    Example:

    [ServerSettings]
ServerAdminPassword=YourAdminPass
MaxPlayers=20
ServerPVE=False
ServerCrosshair=True
ShowMapPlayerLocation=True

  3. Save and close the file.

✅ Your ARK server is now configured!

3️⃣ Open ARK Server Ports in Windows Firewall

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall (Win + R, type wf.msc, press Enter).

  2. Click Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules → New Rule.

  3. Select Port, then click Next.

  4. Choose UDP, enter 7777, 27015, then click Next.

  5. Select Allow the connection, then click Next again.

  6. Apply to Domain, Private, and Public networks.

  7. Name the rule ARK Server UDP Ports and click Finish.

Repeat the process for TCP Port 32330.

✅ Your server is now accessible online!

4️⃣ Start the ARK Server

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Navigate to the ARK server folder:

    cd C:\ARKServer\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64

  3. Start the server using:

    start ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?listen?SessionName=YourARKServer?MaxPlayers=20?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015 -server -log

  4. Keep the window open while the server is running.

✅ Your ARK server is now online!

5️⃣ Connect to Your ARK Server

Find Your Public IP

To share your server with others, find your VPS public IP address:

ipconfig

Join the Server from ARK Client

  1. Open ARK: Survival Evolved.

  2. Click Join ARK.

  3. Filter by "Unofficial Servers".

  4. Enter your VPS IP:27015 in the server search box.

  5. Click Join.

✅ Players can now join your ARK server!

6️⃣ Automate Server Startup (Optional)

To start the server automatically when Windows boots:

  1. Open Task Scheduler (Win + R, type taskschd.msc, press Enter).

  2. Click Create Basic Task (right panel).

  3. Name it Start ARK Server → Click Next.

  4. Select When the computer starts → Click Next.

  5. Select Start a program → Click Next.

  6. Browse to ShooterGameServer.exe inside C:\ARKServer\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64.

  7. In Add arguments, enter:

    TheIsland?listen?SessionName=YourARKServer?MaxPlayers=20?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015 -server -log

  8. Click Finish.

✅ Your ARK server will now start automatically on reboot!

🎉 Conclusion

You've successfully set up an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server on a Windows VPS! Your multiplayer world is now online, ready for friends and players. 🚀

For more assistance, contact VolticHost Support.