How to Host Your Own Ark Server for Free

Hello Dev, welcome to this tutorial on how to host your own Ark server. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create and run an Ark server, all without spending a single penny. So, let’s get started!

Part 1: Preparing to Host Your Server

Before you start creating your Ark server, there are a few important things you need to do to prepare. These include:

1.1 Check Your Internet Connection

The first thing to do is to ensure your internet connection is stable and reliable. Since Ark is an online game, you need a good connection to ensure smooth gameplay. You should have a minimum of 10 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speed. You can check your internet speed by running an internet speed test.

1.2 Choose Your Server Type

Next, you need to decide on the type of server you want to host. There are two options – dedicated and non-dedicated. A dedicated server is a separate machine solely dedicated to hosting your server. A non-dedicated server, on the other hand, uses your own machine to host the server.

1.3 Meet System Requirements

Your machine should meet the minimum system requirements to create and run an Ark server. These include:

System Requirements	Minimum
Operating System	Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit or Linux Ubuntu 14.04 or newer
Processor	Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better
Memory	8 GB RAM
Storage	20 GB available space

1.4 Set Up Port Forwarding

To host your own Ark server, you need to set up port forwarding on your router. This allows the game to communicate with your computer via the internet. The default port for Ark is 7777, but you can change it to any other port of your choice.

Part 2: Creating Your Ark Server

Now that you have prepared your machine for hosting an Ark server, it’s time to create and set up your server. Follow these steps:

2.1 Download SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool used to download and install Steam games onto your dedicated server. This tool is essential for creating an Ark server. You can download SteamCMD from the official website.

2.2 Log in to SteamCMD and Download the Ark Server Files

After you have downloaded SteamCMD, log in to SteamCMD using your Steam account login details. Then, download the Ark server files by typing the following commands:

login anonymous

force_install_dir C:\arkserver

app_update 376030 validate

2.3 Configure Your Server Settings

Once you have downloaded the server files, you need to configure the server settings. This includes setting the server name, password, and other settings. You can do this by editing the GameUserSettings.ini and ServerSettings.ini files located in the Saved\Config\WindowsServer folder.

2.4 Start Your Server

Now that you have configured your server settings, you can start your server by running the following command:

start \ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ShooterGameServer.exe “TheIsland?SessionName=YourServerName?ServerPassword=YourPassword?ServerAdminPassword=AdminPassword” -server -log

Part 3: Running Your Ark Server

Once you have created and set up your Ark server, you need to run it to make it accessible to players. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

3.1 Advertise Your Server

One of the best ways to attract players to your server is to advertise it on gaming forums and social media. You can also join Steam groups and post about your server there.

3.2 Manage Your Server

As the server owner, it is your responsibility to manage your server. This includes monitoring the server activity, enforcing rules, and resolving any issues that players may encounter.

3.3 Back Up Your Server

Regularly backing up your server is important to prevent data loss in case of server crashes or other disasters. You can use third-party backup tools, or manually copy the server files to a secure location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I host an Ark server for free?

Yes, you can host your own Ark server for free using your own machine or by using a cloud hosting service.

Q2. Do I need a dedicated server to host an Ark server?

No, you can also use your own machine to host an Ark server.

Q3. What are the system requirements to host an Ark server?

Your machine should have an Intel Core i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 or better processor, 8 GB RAM, and 20 GB available storage. It should also run on Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit or Linux Ubuntu 14.04 or newer.

Q4. How do I set up port forwarding for my Ark server?

You can set up port forwarding on your router by accessing your router’s configuration page and forwarding port 7777 to your computer’s IP address.

Q5. How can I advertise my Ark server?

You can advertise your server on gaming forums and social media, join Steam groups, and post about your server there.

That’s it, Dev! You now know how to create and run your own Ark server for free. We hope you found this tutorial helpful. Happy gaming!