Trying to host a private / non dedicated, but how?

[Zenith]

My wife and I just want to play for like 45 mins to 1.5 hour or so after work, we like to just chill with us two. I used to be able to host a non dedicated server before, with it's own password.

Now I can 'host' one in theory, but if I set it to private she can't locate or join using any method we've been able to find. I've even tried going into the GameUserSettings and setting a password for the server, nada. Any advice?

[Platvia12]

Originally posted by Platvia12:

Originally posted by Niopha:

Hey, I run one from my own PC as a dedicated server that's not got the crappy host tether the built in game host has.
I play with someone from across the world so you should have no problem using it to play with your wife.

Here's roughly what I did from memory to set it up.

In steam library, above your games on the left, click the drop down and select tools as well.
This shows Ark: Survival Ascended Dedicated Server
Install this wherever you want to. For me its on a different SSD on my E: drive. Adjust the below to match your install directory.

File location for me is E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server.

Create a batch file in the directory below to start the server:

Notepad:

start ArkAscendedServer.exe TheIsland_WP?listen?SessionName=SERVERNAME?ServerPassword=SERVERPASSWORD?ServerAdminPassword=ADMINPASSWORD?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=5 -NoBattlEye
exit

Save as ServerStart.bat in the directory "E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ServerStart.bat" and make a shortcut on your desktop for convenience.

Forwarded the ports 7777 and 27015 to the pc running the server.
Allow the server exe in windows firewall. in my case E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ArkAscendedServer.exe
Same for any anti-virus you use that has a built in firewall, it'll need to be allowed.

A quick note: I had GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini missing for some reason, so I created those in:
E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer
Modify the config with the server settings you prefer and save.

Note: add -Mods and the mob ID to the batch file to use mods on the server. e.g.
"-Mods=1234567,1234567,1234567"

Run the batch file to start the server - once its loaded (servers boot way faster than my ASE one ever did!) you'll see the green status at the bottom.

Launch Ark and connect to your server!
Give it a couple of minutes to show up in-game.

Note: for me, no matter what I do, the server is added to my favourites it never shows under my favourites list and "Join last session" never finds the server. I have to click unofficial, search for my server and then I can connect to it this way... no idea why, but it works this way.
I run the server and the game from the same PC too.

Hopefully this helps you/someone!

I followed this exact guide and got my server working, however my friend always gets the ''connection timed out' error when trying to join. The .exe is exempted from my firewall, the ports 7777/7778/27015/27020 are open for my LAN host adress. I don't know what the problem could be anymore. Everything is as it was for my ark:se server but for some reason it just doesn't work. Would you maybe know a fix?

Turns out my local LAN adress changed itself without me knowing and this fixed the problem...spent an hour on this lol

[Zenith]

Originally posted by Platvia12:

Originally posted by Niopha:

Hey, I run one from my own PC as a dedicated server that's not got the crappy host tether the built in game host has.
I play with someone from across the world so you should have no problem using it to play with your wife.

Here's roughly what I did from memory to set it up.

In steam library, above your games on the left, click the drop down and select tools as well.
This shows Ark: Survival Ascended Dedicated Server
Install this wherever you want to. For me its on a different SSD on my E: drive. Adjust the below to match your install directory.

File location for me is E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server.

Create a batch file in the directory below to start the server:

Notepad:

start ArkAscendedServer.exe TheIsland_WP?listen?SessionName=SERVERNAME?ServerPassword=SERVERPASSWORD?ServerAdminPassword=ADMINPASSWORD?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=5 -NoBattlEye
exit

Save as ServerStart.bat in the directory "E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ServerStart.bat" and make a shortcut on your desktop for convenience.

Forwarded the ports 7777 and 27015 to the pc running the server.
Allow the server exe in windows firewall. in my case E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ArkAscendedServer.exe
Same for any anti-virus you use that has a built in firewall, it'll need to be allowed.

A quick note: I had GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini missing for some reason, so I created those in:
E:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer
Modify the config with the server settings you prefer and save.

Note: add -Mods and the mob ID to the batch file to use mods on the server. e.g.
"-Mods=1234567,1234567,1234567"

Run the batch file to start the server - once its loaded (servers boot way faster than my ASE one ever did!) you'll see the green status at the bottom.

Launch Ark and connect to your server!
Give it a couple of minutes to show up in-game.

Note: for me, no matter what I do, the server is added to my favourites it never shows under my favourites list and "Join last session" never finds the server. I have to click unofficial, search for my server and then I can connect to it this way... no idea why, but it works this way.
I run the server and the game from the same PC too.

Hopefully this helps you/someone!

I followed this exact guide and got my server working, however my friend always gets the ''connection timed out' error when trying to join. The .exe is exempted from my firewall, the ports 7777/7778/27015/27020 are open for my LAN host adress. I don't know what the problem could be anymore. Everything is as it was for my ark:se server but for some reason it just doesn't work. Would you maybe know a fix?

I'm actually having the same issue as well. A friend can't join mine either, getting the connection timed out error. Likewise, all my ports are opened on my end, and no one on the house network has issues connecting, just outside connections.

[Niopha]

Glad you guys are able to get it working! Happy to help honestly :)

Platvia resolved his as his LAN IP changed it looks like!

@Zenith - Since it's only outside connections... double check your local IP address as it may have changed just like Platvia's. (I don't know if you're familiar with DHCP/Static IP addresses but you can prevent this issue by using a static address)

I guess the only thing I can think of without knowing your setup, security etc would be to turn off Windows Firewall and try again, if it works you've found the problem. Double check the rules.

Otherwise it could be an Anti-Virus you have installed, some have built in Firewalls which may see the incoming connection as a potential threat, so try disabling both of those and see if your friend can connect. If they can, then you'll have to allow the ports and connection via that.

If you turn both of those off and friends are still unable to connect then it could be something Mod related, have your friends download the mods prior to trying to connect.

If that doesn't work I'm not sure what else it could be I'm afraid... unless it's something on their side blocking the connection.

[Platvia12]

Originally posted by Niopha:

Glad you guys are able to get it working! Happy to help honestly :)

Platvia resolved his as his LAN IP changed it looks like!

@Zenith - Since it's only outside connections... double check your local IP address as it may have changed just like Platvia's. (I don't know if you're familiar with DHCP/Static IP addresses but you can prevent this issue by using a static address)

I guess the only thing I can think of without knowing your setup, security etc would be to turn off Windows Firewall and try again, if it works you've found the problem. Double check the rules.

Otherwise it could be an Anti-Virus you have installed, some have built in Firewalls which may see the incoming connection as a potential threat, so try disabling both of those and see if your friend can connect. If they can, then you'll have to allow the ports and connection via that.

If you turn both of those off and friends are still unable to connect then it could be something Mod related, have your friends download the mods prior to trying to connect.

If that doesn't work I'm not sure what else it could be I'm afraid... unless it's something on their side blocking the connection.

Just so happens that I moved the server to a different hostpc on the same network with a different LAN adress. Changed the IP for the portforwarding to match the new host but my friend can't join again and is getting the same problem. I have no idea how to fix this :/

[Zenith]

Originally posted by Platvia12:

Originally posted by Niopha:

Glad you guys are able to get it working! Happy to help honestly :)

Platvia resolved his as his LAN IP changed it looks like!

@Zenith - Since it's only outside connections... double check your local IP address as it may have changed just like Platvia's. (I don't know if you're familiar with DHCP/Static IP addresses but you can prevent this issue by using a static address)

I guess the only thing I can think of without knowing your setup, security etc would be to turn off Windows Firewall and try again, if it works you've found the problem. Double check the rules.

Otherwise it could be an Anti-Virus you have installed, some have built in Firewalls which may see the incoming connection as a potential threat, so try disabling both of those and see if your friend can connect. If they can, then you'll have to allow the ports and connection via that.

If you turn both of those off and friends are still unable to connect then it could be something Mod related, have your friends download the mods prior to trying to connect.

If that doesn't work I'm not sure what else it could be I'm afraid... unless it's something on their side blocking the connection.

Just so happens that I moved the server to a different hostpc on the same network with a different LAN adress. Changed the IP for the portforwarding to match the new host but my friend can't join again and is getting the same problem. I have no idea how to fix this :/

Honestly, it happened to slip my mind that since the last time I had personally hosted a server (Used G-Portal before, in ASE), I have changed ISPs. Went into the new router/hub and opened the TCP/UDP ports and that resolved it.

I'm fully connected, mods running, friends on the server, etc.

Only downside - which I'm sure everyone is dealing with is their own way - is crashes. Nothing anyone can do here about that. It's mostly just the inventory/crafting screen for me, or searching for items using the search bar. Meh, oh well.

[Original Carrot]

downloaded, made the batch file. but cannot find my game and cannot figure out how to direct friend to the game either.

[Original Carrot]

how do i name it so i can find it?

[Original Carrot]

Originally posted by Niopha:

Hey, I run one from my own PC as a dedicated server that's not got the crappy host tether the built in game host has.
I play with someone from across the world so you should have no problem using it to play with your wife.

Here's roughly what I did from memory to set it up.

Forwarded the ports 7777 and 27015 to the pc running the server.

Launch Ark and connect to your server!
Give it a couple of minutes to show up in-game.


Hopefully this helps you/someone!

how do i connect to the server it never ever shows up on the list in 'unofficial'? not using mods, server starts , green status at bottom, 20 mins later still NOT showing in unofficial.

did your batch file, worked like a charm, server starts but does not show up, ever, cannot figure out what you mean by forwarded the ports, have an exception in norton360 so cant figure out what the problem is.

[Niopha]

Originally posted by Original Carrot:

Originally posted by Niopha:

Hey, I run one from my own PC as a dedicated server that's not got the crappy host tether the built in game host has.
I play with someone from across the world so you should have no problem using it to play with your wife.

Here's roughly what I did from memory to set it up.

Forwarded the ports 7777 and 27015 to the pc running the server.

Launch Ark and connect to your server!
Give it a couple of minutes to show up in-game.


Hopefully this helps you/someone!

how do i connect to the server it never ever shows up on the list in 'unofficial'? not using mods, server starts , green status at bottom, 20 mins later still NOT showing in unofficial.

did your batch file, worked like a charm, server starts but does not show up, ever, cannot figure out what you mean by forwarded the ports, have an exception in norton360 so cant figure out what the problem is.

Hello!

Windows Firewall is likely blocking it, try turning it off and seeing if the server shows - if it shows up you know that it was the cause.
Then you need to add a rule to allow it, and turn your firewall back on. (I do not recommend leaving it off).

Once you've sorted Windows Firewall, you will need to forward the ports on your router to your servers local IP address.
Ark uses ports 7777 UDP and 27015 UDP for the game. At a minimum you need these ports open. You will need your PC's local address and create a rule WAN -> LAN Destination port 7777, 27015 UDP to your PC IP address.

If you don't understand how to do that it may be best you avoid it or do some research online on how to do it on your specific router, each one is slightly different but the principle is the same.

[Niopha]

Originally posted by Platvia12:

Just so happens that I moved the server to a different hostpc on the same network with a different LAN adress. Changed the IP for the portforwarding to match the new host but my friend can't join again and is getting the same problem. I have no idea how to fix this :/

Check Windows Firewall on the new PC

[Bloodstormz]

just use Beacon look for the beta version that supports ASA. allows you to setup your own skydrop loot, Spawns tables, Engrams basically everything Ark server manager did but doesn't auto launch from your machine. but you can save the files and load them up on a host.

[Zenith]

Also, sorry something I didn't really think of mentioning (I had tried other methods and failed before) . In order to get a space in the name, when creating the batch use quotation marks; The Island comes out as The, The_Island comes out as The_Island, "The Island" shows up as The Island. Hope that helps.

[Major Koenig]

This could possibly be the solution for you:

https://arksurvival.zone/forum/thread/10297-sichtbarkeit-in-der-serverliste/