Set up an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server on Windows

What HaruHost does for you

• SteamCMD: not needed. HaruHost downloads the ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server, without a Steam account, and updates it with one button.
• What the server needs: the DirectX runtime and Visual C++ 2013. When one is missing, HaruHost offers to install it when you start the server.
• Start file and launch options: no batch file to write. The map, server name, mods and options are set on the cards, and HaruHost builds the start line.
• GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini: the Auto Config page shows them as cards, from rates and breeding to stacks and spawns, plus a card for each file that takes any other setting.
• Port forwarding: each server gets its ports from your port range, and HaruHost opens them on your router and in Windows Firewall once Auto-manage UPnP and Auto-manage Firewall are on. See ports.
• An existing server: import it with its world and settings instead of starting over.

Step by step

1. Download HaruHost for Windows and sign in.
2. Choose Add → New game server, pick this PC, then ARK: Survival Evolved. Give the server a name.
3. Pick Latest or Preaquatica.
4. Choose Create New Server, or Import Existing Server and point HaruHost at the server's folder.
5. Set the Server Name and the map on Base Config, the passwords on Passwords, and any other card you want.
6. On the Connection step, choose Ports.
7. Create the server, wait for the download and start it. If something the server needs is missing, install it when HaruHost asks.
8. Turn on Auto-manage UPnP and Auto-manage Firewall, or forward your port range on the router once, and send friends the server's name.

Questions