This guide is for players who want to self-host an ARK: Survival Ascended server. If you’d rather skip the setup, port forwarding and maintenance, you can rent a managed ARK server that deploys in about 60 seconds.
Self-hosting ARK: Survival Ascended gives you total control over rates, mods and rules — but be warned: ASA is built on Unreal Engine 5 and is one of the most hardware-hungry game servers there is. A weak machine will lag badly. Here’s the full process.
Hardware you’ll need
ASA’s server is heavy. Budget a fast multi-core CPU, a large amount of RAM (an ASA server can use well over 10 GB, more with mods and players), and SSD/NVMe storage. Underpowered hardware is the number-one cause of a laggy self-hosted ASA server.
Step 1: Install with SteamCMD
Use SteamCMD to download the ARK: Survival Ascended Dedicated Server files to your machine or VPS. The download is large, so give it time and disk space.
Step 2: Port forwarding
Forward the game and query UDP ports your server uses to the host machine in your router, choosing UDP when asked. Mismatched or unforwarded ports are the top reason players can’t find or join your server.
Step 3: Configure the server
Set your server name, max players, an admin password (so EnableCheats works), and your rates and rules in GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini. Our server settings guide explains exactly what to change.
Step 4: Mods (optional)
ASA mods come through CurseForge, not the Steam Workshop. Add the mod IDs to your launch configuration and players download them automatically on join. See our mods guide for the details and load order.
Step 5: Launch & connect
Start the server with your map and launch parameters, then join via the in-game server browser or Direct Connect using your IP. Keep the server updated with SteamCMD whenever ASA patches — and it patches often.
Because ASA’s UE5 server is so demanding, most players let a host handle the hardware. A managed ARK: Survival Ascended server from $7/month runs on Ryzen 9 hardware with updates handled for you — 30% off with XGAMEON.
