Can't join non-dedicated server

[•<~:Blocky:~>•]

Whenever I try to join my friend's non-dedicated server, I get an error saying that it lost/timedout connection to host. It worked fine earlier today, we've both closed our games, I validated my game files, he's added me to his whitelist, but still the same error. I find a lot of people get this problem, but no solution. Anyone know how to fix this?

[ThaCandyMan]

Because you will both have to remove all workshop mods and reinstall them... had this happen to me and my friends... once you reinstall all of the mods again it should be fresh... it will still lose connection a few times while downloading the mods but after it re downloads all the mods being used you will join in.

[retsam1]

Originally posted by BlockManBlue:

Whenever I try to join my friend's non-dedicated server, I get an error saying that it lost/timedout connection to host. It worked fine earlier today, we've both closed our games, I validated my game files, he's added me to his whitelist, but still the same error. I find a lot of people get this problem, but no solution. Anyone know how to fix this?

Time out due to host is a symptom not a cause. Causes for it can vary. Additionally, non dedicated server play is prone to issues and many players instead opt to convert game play to a dedicated server session style instead but just run it when they and their friend wish to play together.

Common reasons for such issue:

1. Bad wifi, ISP issue, or some internet node issue between.
2. Router, virus checker blocking access or port not properly forwarded
3. Not double checking other relevant settings, especially after an update(updates and revert settings.
4. Bad choices of mods and poor mod management.
5. First time attempting to join with mods, or attempting to join when a new mod was added after that.
6. Other hardware issues.

And the list goes on.

[BaronWombat]

This is the most helpful thread on this topic, and what I have found out is that the Join Un Dedicated server functionality is... dismal. I have better things to do with my time than spend hours trying to just join a game with friends. This SHOULD be the top priority for the Ark devs to solve. Sad, because it is a fun game. But I am off to play something else now.

[retsam1]

Originally posted by BaronWombat:

This is the most helpful thread on this topic, and what I have found out is that the Join Un Dedicated server functionality is... dismal. I have better things to do with my time than spend hours trying to just join a game with friends. This SHOULD be the top priority for the Ark devs to solve. Sad, because it is a fun game. But I am off to play something else now.

You're being a bit silly.

The vast majority of the player base do not play via non dedicated. Additionally, often the reasons for being unable to connect/use non dedicated are attributed to poor choices/management of the person hosting. However non dedicated is just a glorified extension of single player and due to that, it does have intentional restrictions. This is why then people recommend simply for a player to convert their comp's play to a dedicated server iteration and run it temporarily (as a non ded does) when only they and their friends wish to play.

The goals are thus the exact same: play only for a bit together with friends and then pause such play to come back later when they can.

Otherwise, if more consistent play is desired then, playing on a sustained dedicated server(and there are over 80,000 of them is the more apt way to go.

That said, expectations after 7 years of the game's existence for things to be different for a player who may not readily realize the full options available to satisfy their wants is probably not gonna happen. Such a player demanding for that to be a "TOP priority" in the overall understanding and picture of the game when its not even a top priority of the player base is thus just silly and seemingly makes for compelling evidence of being an entitlement issue.

But yes, probably in your case, shelving the game until it matches your sensibilities and caliber as a player is a choice that better matches you, to be sure.

[•<~:Blocky:~>•]

I found the problem! turns out I had some mods subscribed, but he didnt. Wish that it could launch without thise mods but whatever its not like i was using them anyways. Unsubscribed from the mods and i havent had a problem since.

[retsam1]

Originally posted by BlockManBlue:

I found the problem! turns out I had some mods subscribed, but he didnt. Wish that it could launch without thise mods but whatever its not like i was using them anyways. Unsubscribed from the mods and i havent had a problem since.

If he was hosting, then it shouldnt have been an issue. You were hosting then all he needed to do was use mods... unless, he was on EPic's platform in which case, yes a a non dedicated with no mods enabled would be required.

However, either ways mentioned, it wouldn't have required unsubscribing from mods. Simply, mods would have just to had to been moved from the active mods list window, only if hosting.

[Pineapple]

Hey. I just wanted to play me and my wife. I tried both epic and steam. But like I start a single player. Then I get out (after creating a character) and start a none dedicated server. But my wife can't join. The game just freezes in the black loading screen until eventually connection timed out. I don't know if I'm missing something like needing to add her in the coding or something. Or lunch a file with some code in it. On YouTube they just said run single player then run a non dedicated server and that it. Please help. I'm tired of the game being wipped constantly. Just wanna fill the world with raptors with my wife.

[TP]

Originally posted by Pineapple:

Hey. I just wanted to play me and my wife. I tried both epic and steam. But like I start a single player. Then I get out (after creating a character) and start a none dedicated server. But my wife can't join. The game just freezes in the black loading screen until eventually connection timed out. I don't know if I'm missing something like needing to add her in the coding or something. Or lunch a file with some code in it. On YouTube they just said run single player then run a non dedicated server and that it. Please help. I'm tired of the game being wipped constantly. Just wanna fill the world with raptors with my wife.

I am getting the exact same thing my end when I am trying to join my pals non dedicated servers.

I've tried using my hotspot, wifi, restarting the game, verifying integrity, driver updates, checking mods, him restarting, me opening a world before trying to join, the list just keeps going on and on with bits we tried to fix it.

This issues been going on for years by the looks of the forums which i've read and it doesnt bring a great look to such an amazing game. Shame theres such a massive problem with such a simple thing which hasnt been fixed in so long.

[Pineapple]

Hello I'm back after 2 years and more from the future. It looks like you need to do something called port forwarding to do a non dedicated server. That no one talks about because who ever explains that it is easy already did it for the big server stuff so they already have it and don't think of it. I'm don't know anything about that stuff. Some of the video get a bit completed even for a techy above average as my self. I'm gonna try to run a dedicated server now that I have an old laptop I was originally looking for the salution for.

Thank you all for your help I wish you all a salution and the new ark 2 to not have this problem

[Nanami]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.