> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # ARK Server Not Starting? Normal Messages and Real Errors > ARK: Survival Evolved server not starting? See which console messages are normal and fix wrong map names, mod problems and settings that won't save. An ARK: Survival Evolved server on FREAKHOSTING repeats `waiting for rcon connection...` and `connect: connection refused` in the console for several minutes while the map loads. That is normal. It is ready when the console shows `Waiting commands for 127.0.0.1:27020`. If that line never comes, check the **Map** name, remove recently added mods and look at the **Checks** box on **Game settings**. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 10 to 20 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING ARK: Survival Evolved server | **Console**, **Game settings**, **Startup** | ## Which console messages are normal? | Message | Meaning | | - | - | | `Success! App '376030' already up to date.` | SteamCMD checked the server files. | | `[S_API FAIL] SteamAPI_Init() failed; SteamAPI_IsSteamRunning() failed.` | Harmless on a dedicated server. | | `waiting for rcon connection...` | The panel console waits for ARK to finish loading. | | `cli: auth: rcon: dial tcp 127.0.0.1:27020: connect: connection refused` | Same: ARK is still loading the map. Repeats every 5 seconds. | | `Success. Downloaded item …` | A Workshop mod was downloaded. | | `Waiting commands for 127.0.0.1:27020 (or type :q to exit)` | Ready. Players can join. | On our test server the first start with The Island took about 10 minutes and used about 6 GB of memory. The panel shows "running" before the game is ready, so wait for the last line. ## How to fix a server that never gets ready **1. Wait 15 minutes on a first start** The first start, a new map or many mods take longest. **2. Check the map name** A map name the game does not know stops the server from starting. On **Game settings**, pick a map without "(Ascended)". On **Startup**, **Server Map** must be an ASE name such as `TheIsland` or `ScorchedEarth_P`. See [change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-ark-survival-evolved-server.md). **3. Remove new mods** Stop the server, clear the last mods you added from **Mods**, save and start. If it starts, add them back one at a time. **4. Check memory and disk** Open [Statistics](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-view-server-statistics.md). If memory is at the limit or the disk is full, remove mods or old files, or [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). **5. Restore a backup** If the problem started after a change you can't find, restore a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) from before it. ## Settings don't save or reset after a restart ARK rewrites `GameUserSettings.ini` when it shuts down and ignores changes made while it runs. Stop the server, change the settings in **Game settings** and click **Review and save**, then start it. ## The admin password is not accepted The **Admin password** may use letters, numbers, `-` and `_` only, and can't be empty. A password with other symbols is rejected. See [become admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-become-admin-on-your-ark-survival-evolved-server.md). ## Frequently asked questions ### What should I send support if it still won't start? Copy the last 20 lines of the console and say what you changed last (map, mods or settings). [Open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) with that information. ### Why does the server stop for a few seconds after I click Stop? The panel saves the world (`saveworld`) and then shuts ARK down cleanly. It is usually offline in under 25 seconds. ### Should I change the RCON or query port? No. The panel console uses the RCON port and the server browser uses the query port. Leave both as they are. ## Related guides > [card] [ARK server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/ark-survival-evolved-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every ARK page in one place. > [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/ark-survival-evolved-server-not-showing-in-list.md) > > Find and join your server. > [card] [Install mods](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-install-mods-on-ark-survival-evolved.md) > > Mod ids and load order. > [card] [Restore a corrupt save](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/restoring-a-corrupt-world-save.md) > > Roll back the world. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 2 November 2026 (ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server, The Island). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes. > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.