Friends can't join your ARK: Survival Ascended server

After an ARK update

Players on the new version can't join a server on the old one. Press Update on the server, or let an automation update it as soon as ARK updates; see updates.

Password, platforms and whitelist

• Server Password on the Passwords card: friends enter it when they join, exactly as set.
• Allowed Platforms on the Launch Arguments card: a server limited to some platforms keeps players on the others out; see crossplay.
• Exclusive Players on the Player Role Settings card: with exclusive mode on, only listed players get in; see private server.

Joining times out

1. Check that the server shows as online in HaruHost. A new map can take several minutes on its first start.
2. For a server on Ports, have a friend outside your network open the console on PC and type open followed by the Server Address from the Details tab.
3. If that times out too, the server can't be reached from the internet. Turn on the Tunnel for a public address with no router setup, even behind CGNAT, or forward the server's port; see ports.

From the server's own network

When you host on your own address, the server list gives your public address. Many routers can't send a player at home back to it (NAT loopback), so joining fails from the server's PC or the same house while friends outside get in. Players on that network use the Local Address, shown on the Details tab: open the console and type open followed by that address.

Questions