> ## 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.

# How to Set Up an ARK: Survival Evolved Server (Getting Started)

> How to set up an ARK: Survival Evolved server on FREAKHOSTING: change the admin password, set name, password and map in Game settings, start it and join.

To set up an ARK: Survival Evolved server on FREAKHOSTING, stop the server, open **Game settings** in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), change the **Admin password** first, then set **Server name**, **Server password** and **Map**, click **Review and save** and start the server. The first start takes about 10 minutes. Join when the console shows `Waiting commands for 127.0.0.1:27020`.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 15 to 20 minutes (most of it is the first start) | Every FREAKHOSTING ARK: Survival Evolved server | **Game settings** |

## Before you start

* Log in to the [Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md).
* Own ARK: Survival Evolved on Steam or the Epic Games Store. ARK: Survival Ascended cannot join an ASE server.
* The server files take about 20 GB. They are already installed.

## How to set up your ARK server

**1. Stop the server**

Click **Stop**. ARK rewrites its settings files when it shuts down and ignores changes made while it runs, so always save settings with the server stopped.

**2. Open Game settings**

Click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**. The **Checks** box at the top lists anything you should fix.

**3. Change the admin password**

A new server starts with a template admin password that is public knowledge. In **Server**, find **Admin password**, click **Change**, enter your own password in **New value** and click **Done**. Use letters, numbers, `-` and `_` only. See [become admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-become-admin-on-your-ark-survival-evolved-server.md).

**4. Name your server**

Enter a **Server name**. This is the name players see in the server list.

**5. Set a password (optional)**

Click **Set** next to **Server password** if you want a private server. Leave it empty for an open server.

**6. Choose the map**

Pick a **Map**. Choose only maps without "(Ascended)" in the name: those entries are ARK: Survival Ascended maps and an ASE server cannot load them. See [change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-ark-survival-evolved-server.md).

**7. Choose PvE or PvP**

Turn on **PvE (no player fighting)** for a PvE server, or leave it off for PvP.

**8. Review and save**

Click **Review and save**, check the changes and confirm. You see **Saved … changes.** when it is done.

**9. Start and wait**

Click **Start**. The panel shows the server as running before ARK is ready. Watch the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md) until it shows the ready line below.

![ARK Survival Evolved Game settings page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel with Checks, Server name, Admin password and Map](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/DHEkFogaRHlgkEmZ/images/games/ark-survival-evolved/ark-game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=DHEkFogaRHlgkEmZ\&q=85\&s=27fabbfaed3208d8a6ee21050eb5ae17)

Game settings with Checks and the Server section

## What the console shows on the first start

The panel console is an RCON client: it connects to the game once the map has loaded. Until then it repeats these lines every 5 seconds, which is normal:

```text theme={null}
waiting for rcon connection...
cli: auth: rcon: dial tcp 127.0.0.1:27020: connect: connection refused
```

When the server is ready you see:

```text theme={null}
Waiting commands for 127.0.0.1:27020 (or type :q to exit)
```

On our test server this took about 10 minutes with The Island. Later starts are faster. The line `[S_API FAIL] SteamAPI_Init() failed` is harmless.

## How to join your ARK server

| Method | What to do |
| - | - |
| In-game list | Click **Join ARK**, set the filter to **Unofficial** and search for your **Server name** |
| Steam server list | In Steam, open **View** > **Game Servers** > **Favorites**, add your IP with port 27015, for example `203.0.113.10:27015` |
| Console | Press **Tab** in the main menu and type `open 203.0.113.10:7777` |

If the server has a password, the game asks for it when you join. If you can't find the server, see [not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/ark-survival-evolved-server-not-showing-in-list.md).

## Make your first backup

Once your world is set up, make a [panel backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) and set up [automatic backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md). The world is saved every 15 minutes by default (**Save every** in **Limits and saving**) and when you stop the server from the panel.

## Frequently asked questions

### What ports does an ARK: Survival Evolved server use?

7777 for the game, 7778 as the peer port, 27015 for the server browser (query) and 27020 for RCON. They are set up for you; leave the RCON and query ports as they are.

### Can I change the player limit?

No. **Player slots** is fixed by your hosting plan.

### Why can't I join right after starting?

ARK is still loading the map. Wait until the console shows `Waiting commands for 127.0.0.1:27020`.

### Can I make the game easier or faster?

Yes. Use a preset such as **Boosted x3** or change single rates. See [rates and multipliers](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/changing-ark-server-settings-multipliers-rates.md).

## 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] [Become admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-become-admin-on-your-ark-survival-evolved-server.md)
>
> Admin password and enablecheats.

> [card] [Install mods](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-install-mods-on-ark-survival-evolved.md)
>
> Steam Workshop mods.

> [card] [Change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-ark-survival-evolved-server.md)
>
> Official ASE maps.

> [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/ark-survival-evolved-server-not-showing-in-list.md)
>
> Find your server.

***

> [!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


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