How to Connect to Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server

1. Direct Connect Method

Start your server and wait for it to go online.
Open ARK on Steam.
In your Game Panel, click the JOIN button next to the Steam Connection.
The game should connect to the server.

2. Steam Favorites Method

Start your server and wait for it to go online.
Copy the IP:PORT from the Steam connection section in your Game Panel.
Open Steam, go to the View menu, then select Servers.
Click Add a Server and paste the IP:PORT.
Press Add this Address to Favorites.
Right-click on the server and select Connect to Server. If you encounter an error, refresh a couple of times and try again.

3. In-Game Server Browser List Method

Stop your server.
In the Configuration Files, edit the GameUserSettings.ini file to set a unique server name.
Start your server and wait for it to go online.
Open ARK on Steam, go to the Join menu, then in the Server Browser list, change the Session Filter to Unofficial and search for the server name you set.

Note: If your server doesn't appear in the list, it's a known issue due to ARK's server list limitations. In such cases, use one of the methods above to connect directly.

For further assistance, contact the support system at GTXGaming.

Updated on: 03/02/2025