Possible reason for constant crashing issue?

[foks11light]

Yesterday, I log into my server and played for awhile. And Single player keeps crashing on me, too. Today I keep "losing host connection." Everything is updated and validated to 59.32 but when i pause (just before crashing out) the info says 59.31. My server character is a brand new character, so it SHOULD be at the same version as the game.

I have not found a fix. but for a week of checking everything for it to still n ot work.... I JUST WANNA PLAY MY FOOGING GAME!!!!!

[WeaponizedWeed]

1. Update the Dedicated Server via SteamCMD
Download and open SteamCMD
Run SteamCMD and enter these commands one by one:

login anonymous

force_install_dir "C:\ARKServer" (or wherever their server is installed)

app_update 2430930 validate

quit
2430930 is the App ID for the ARK: Survival Ascended Dedicated Server.
This will force an update to match the latest game version.
2. Verify the Client Version (Single Player)
If Single Player is still crashing and showing the wrong version:

Open Steam.
Go to Library > Right-click ARK: Survival Ascended > Properties.
Under Installed Files, click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Restart Steam and launch the game.
3. Check for Mods (If Installed)
If using mods, some might be outdated and causing crashes.
Try launching without mods and see if it still happens.
4. Check for Network Issues (For "Lost Host Connection")
Restart the router/modem.
Make sure ports 7777, 27015, and 27020 (UDP) are open if hosting a server.

[foks11light]

My server is updated and loads the current version and shows in files and in server list to be correct. My character even played fine, yesterday. Also loads in before timing out. Character lods in and i am then able to "pause" (not actually pause, but that menu) and see the different version. I've been fiddling with it for 3 days. If I delete all saves and start from day one, it runs and I can play for hours.

[WeaponizedWeed]

this is all from of chat gtp btw you ought to use it as it's a very powerful tool

It sounds like his save data is corrupted or mismatched with the latest version of ARK: Survival Ascended. Since he can play for hours with a fresh save, but his existing save results in a version mismatch and disconnection, the issue is likely tied to the world data or character profile. Here’s what he can try:

1. Backup and Reset Save Data (Test if it's the Cause)
Navigate to the ARK server save location:
Windows:
java
Copy
Edit
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Ascended\ShooterGame\Saved
Dedicated Server:
Copy
Edit
\ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArks
Backup all files in this folder.
Delete or move the following:
.ark file (world save)
.arkprofile (character data)
.arktribe (tribe data)
Restart the server and try to rejoin.
2. Restore Save Data (One Step at a Time)
If a fresh game works, restore only the character profile (.arkprofile) from the backup and see if the issue returns.
If restoring the character causes the crash again, the character data is corrupted.
If character data works, but world save (.ark file) breaks the game, then the world save is corrupted.
3. Try Using a Previous Save Backup
If the save is corrupt but he doesn't want to start from scratch, he can try using one of ARK’s auto-backups:

Navigate to the Backup Saves Folder:
Copy
Edit
ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArks\TheIsland_AutoBackup
Replace the main TheIsland_WP.ark with an older version.
4. Delete Local Profile Data (Client-Side)
If he’s playing on a non-dedicated or single-player, his local character data might be the issue:

Go to:
Copy
Edit
\ShooterGame\Saved\LocalProfiles
Delete PlayerLocalData.arkprofile and try loading the game again.
5. Check Mod Issues (If Any Installed)
If he’s using mods, one may be incompatible with the update.
Try disabling all mods and testing the save.
6. Force an ARK Cloud Sync (If Using Steam Cloud)
If he's using Steam Cloud Sync, he might have an old profile conflicting with the new version:

Go to Steam > Settings > Cloud.
Disable Steam Cloud Sync for ARK.
Delete the LocalProfiles folder (from step 4).
Re-enable Cloud Sync and launch the game.