Guides
ARK: Survival Evolved Can’t Connect to Server – Help Guide
ARK Can’t Connect – Introduction
Running into issues where ARK can’t connect to your server, leading to frustration for both you and your fellow ARK players? Connecting to your ARK server should never be a challenge and fixing the reason behind these issues is important to ensure you and your friends can keep exploring the world of ARK.
Whether the connection problem is occurring from an IP address issue, an outdated version, or corruption, there are ways to resolve these so that you and your friends can get connected. We’ll explore the different reasons you are unable to connect to an ARK: Survival Evolved server and together, we will fix these issues!
Connecting to your ARK: Survival Evolved Server IP Address
We will start by ensuring that you are connecting to the correct ARK server IP address to join your server.
- Head to your Nitrado server panel.
- To the left side of your panel, locate the IP address, port, and query port.
- The address here will be used to connect to your Ark server.
To connect to your ARK server, you can check out this helpful guide here from our wiki!
Ensuring your ARK: Survival Evolved Server is Online if ARK Can’t Connect
This is an important step in connecting to your ARK:SE server, as we will need to ensure the server is online and running.
- Go on your server panel.
- If you see the “Start server” button, click this to start your server.
If you do not see this button, your server is either already online or is starting.
- Your server will now come online. It can often take 5 – 10 minutes for an ARK server to start.
My ARK server is taking a while to start
An ARK: Survival Evolved server can sometimes take a while to come online, causing ARK can’t connect errors. These factors can increase how long it takes an ARK server to start:
- Mods
- Increased settings such as dino spawn rates
- Larger maps and custom maps
We recommend waiting around 20 – 30 minutes for an ARK server to fully start if you have any of these modifications on your server.
My ARK server is not starting and ARK Can’t Connect
In situations where your ARK server is hanging or isn’t starting at all, we will need to do some additional troubleshooting.
- Check your ARK:SE server logs
- On the server panel to the left, under “Tools click “File Browser“.
- In the File Browser, click the folders “arkse” → “ShooterGame” → “Saved” → “Logs”.
- See if there are “crashstack.log” files.
- If there is, there is likely corruption or a bad mod on your ARK server. You can fix these types of issues, and we have included this wiki guide on how to resolve those!
- Undo any recent changes. If a mod or a new custom map had been recently added to your ARK server, removing these can help. Afterward, restart your server.
- If this is a new ARK: SE server, try reinstalling the game to the Nitrado server.
- On your server panel to the left, click “Reinstall”.
- A confirmation window will appear. Click “Reinstall” again to confirm. During a reinstall, all files will be reset.
- Once the reinstall is finished, start your ARK server. Your server will now come online!
- Contact Nitrado Support Team. If nothing is working still, Nitrado Support is here for you! To begin contacting our support team, please start here on this site.
Getting a Version Mismatch” or “Outdated” ARK Server Error
This occurs when either the ARK game client or the ARK: Survival Evolved game server is outdated, either due to a recent game update or due to a recent update with one of the mods on your server.
How to find the version of ARK:SE that your server is running
- Go on your ARK server panel.
- Under “Server Status”, next to “Version” you will see your ARK server’s version.
How to find the version of ARK:SE that your game client is running
- Start the ARK: Survival Evolved game on your computer.
- Once loaded to the menu, you can see the version/patch in the bottom left-hand corner.
The ARK game client and server versions do not match
To update your ARK: SE server:
Server updates are typically pushed to a Nitrado ARK:SE server within 3 hours of release.
- To update your ARK server, “Restart” the server and the update will automatically apply.
Updating ARK:SE on Steam:
- Open Steam.
- Check the Steam “Downloads” section.
- Under the “Scheduled” section, if there is an ARK update click the “Download” icon to download that update.
To update ARK on EpicGames:
- Open the EpicGames launcher.
- If there is an update for ARK, it will automatically begin downloading.
How to update outdated ARK server mods
Getting mods updated on your ARK server:
- Enter your ARK:SE server panel.
- On the left-side click the “Mods + Workshop” section.
- Next to “Installed Mods“, you will see all mods installed on your ARK server.
- Click “Force Update” on that mod to update it.
- After a few moments, that mod will now be up-to-date.
- Go back to your server’s dashboard and restart the server to load those updated mods.
Updating mods on your ARK game client:
- Ensure you are subscribed to those ARK mods on the ARK Steam Workshop.
- When you start ARK, the game will automatically install and update the mods you have subscribed to.
The ARK can’t connect errors should now be resolved! After ensuring the ARK server IP address is correct, making sure the server is online, and getting everything updated including both ARK updates and mod updates, it’s now time to gather up your friends and play on your ARK: Survival Evolved server!
FAQ – Fixing ARK: Survival Evolved Connection Issues
Why can’t I connect to my ARK server?
Common reasons include incorrect IP address, the server not being fully online yet, a version mismatch between the game client and server, or issues caused by mods or configuration changes. Double-check the IP and port, confirm the server has started fully, and review any recent changes that might be causing problems.
What should I do if my ARK server doesn’t show up in the server list?
If your server doesn’t appear:
- Try connecting directly via IP.
- Make sure your server is online and fully started (this may take 10–30 minutes with large maps or mods).
- Ensure your filters in ARK’s server browser aren’t hiding it.
- Check for mod issues or outdated files.
How do I fix the “Join Failed” or “Connection Timeout” error?
These errors often happen when:
- The server is still starting.
- A mod is outdated or broken.
- There’s a version mismatch.
Try restarting the server, running a mod force update, and making sure your game is updated on Steam or Epic Games. Also, use the cheat DestroyWildDinos command after difficulty or spawn rate changes to prevent stuck spawns.
How do I check the version of my ARK server and game client?
- On your server panel, the version is listed under “Server Status”.
- In your game client, the version appears in the bottom left corner of the main menu.
If they don’t match, your server or client needs to be updated.
How do I update my ARK: Survival Evolved server?
Restart your server from the Nitrado panel. Updates are typically applied automatically within 3 hours of release. If an update was just pushed, give it a few minutes and then restart the server again.
How do I fix a mod version mismatch on my server?
- Go to Mods + Workshop in your server panel.
- Click Force Update next to any outdated mods.
- Restart your server after updating.
- For players: make sure you are subscribed to the same mods via the Steam Workshop or Epic Games launcher so they update when the game starts.
My ARK server is stuck starting. What should I do?
- Wait 20–30 minutes, especially if you’re using large maps or many mods.
- Check the Logs folder via the File Browser (arkse → ShooterGame → Saved → Logs) for crashstack files.
- Undo recent changes (mods or map swaps).
- As a last resort, use the Reinstall option from the Nitrado panel. This resets the server files to default.
What does a Steam or Epic Games connection error mean in ARK?
This usually indicates a version mismatch or a mod conflict. Make sure both the game and server are updated, and that the correct ports are open if you’re hosting privately. For crossplay, verify that your server supports both platforms and isn’t running incompatible mods.
How do I reinstall my ARK server on Nitrado?
- Go to your server panel.
- Click Reinstall on the left.
- Confirm the action. This will wipe current files and install a clean version of ARK.
After reinstalling, restart the server and verify connectivity.
ARK Can’t Connect – Introduction
Connecting to your ARK: Survival Evolved Server IP Address
Ensuring your ARK: Survival Evolved Server is Online if ARK Can’t Connect
My ARK server is taking a while to start
My ARK server is not starting and ARK Can’t Connect
Getting a Version Mismatch” or “Outdated” ARK Server Error
- How to find the version of ARK:SE that your server is running
- How to find the version of ARK:SE that your game client is running
- The ARK game client and server versions do not match
- How to update outdated ARK server mods
FAQ – Fixing ARK: Survival Evolved Connection Issues
- Why can’t I connect to my ARK server?
- What should I do if my ARK server doesn’t show up in the server list?
- How do I fix the “Join Failed” or “Connection Timeout” error?
- How do I check the version of my ARK server and game client?
- How do I update my ARK: Survival Evolved server?
- How do I fix a mod version mismatch on my server?
- My ARK server is stuck starting. What should I do?
- What does a Steam or Epic Games connection error mean in ARK?
- How do I reinstall my ARK server on Nitrado?
