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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe quickest reliable workaround is to stop joining from Steam’s server list. Save the server in Steam first, then launch ARK, open Join ARK, choose the Favorites session filter, refresh, and join from ARK’s own browser. If that fails, test firewall or antivirus blocking, synchronize the game and server builds, and then check ports, mods, or NAT loopback according to who can connect and where the server is hosted.
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This guide focuses on the Steam PC version of ARK: Survival Evolved and on the exact message “Unable to query server info for invite.” The same underlying checks may not apply identically to console versions, official servers, or non-dedicated sessions.
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What the error means
ARK is failing to obtain the server information it needs during an invite or join handoff. The message does not prove that the server is offline. A direct Steam-server-list launch, a blocked client connection, a client/server version mismatch, incorrect server ports, incompatible mods, or a router that cannot loop a local connection through its public address can all produce a similar result.
Use the troubleshooting order below. Start with the in-game Favorites workflow because it changes only the way ARK receives the server address and requires no server-side changes. Move to the later sections only when that path still fails or when the symptoms point to the server or network.
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First fix: save the address in Steam, then join through ARK
Shockbyte’s exact-error guidance says the message usually appears when a player joins directly from Steam’s server list. Steam can still be used to save the address; the actual join should be made from ARK.
- Open Steam and select View > Servers.
- Open the Favorites tab and choose Add a Server.
- Enter the server address and port supplied by the server owner. Copy them exactly; do not substitute an RCON or recon port for the game or query port.
- Save the entry and leave Steam open or minimized.
- Launch ARK: Survival Evolved.
- Select Join ARK.
- Set Session Filter to Favorites.
- Refresh the list, wait for the saved server to appear, and join it from this in-game list.
If this works, the server address and basic reachability are probably sound; the failed part was the direct Steam handoff. Keep using the in-game Favorites entry rather than selecting the server in Steam and choosing an external join command.
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Check that the address includes the joining port exactly as the owner supplied it, then refresh ARK’s list again. Make sure the filter really says Favorites, not Official, Unofficial, or another session category. A server that has just started or changed its configuration may take time to register. Do not repeatedly edit the entry while the server is still booting; record the original address and port so you can compare each test.
Choose the next test from the symptom
| What you observe | Most useful next check | Who normally controls it |
|---|---|---|
| The server is reachable from ARK Favorites but not from Steam’s server list | Continue using the in-game Favorites workflow | Player |
| Only one PC cannot join, while other players can | Test the local firewall and antivirus, then verify that PC’s build and mods | Player |
| No one can join after a patch or server restart | Synchronize the ARK and server versions and inspect server ports | Player and server owner |
| Unmodded servers work but one modded server does not | Synchronize the mod files and the server’s ActiveMods list |
Player and server owner |
| Friends outside the home network can join, but the host cannot | Test NAT loopback, a LAN address, or split DNS | Server owner and router administrator |
| The server appears only after a long delay or after a reinstall/reboot | Allow time for server-list registration to propagate and restart the relevant software | Server owner |
This comparison prevents a common mistake: changing router forwarding when only one player’s antivirus is blocking the connection, or deleting mods when the real problem is an unpatched server.
Test firewall and antivirus blocking
Nitrado identifies PC firewall or antivirus interference as a documented cause when ARK’s connection to a server is prevented. This is a diagnostic test, not a recommendation to leave protection disabled.
Run a controlled test
- Close ARK.
- Temporarily disable the third-party antivirus network shield, if one is installed, and the Windows firewall profile that applies to the connection.
- Launch ARK and repeat the in-game Favorites join.
- If the connection now works, immediately restore the firewall and antivirus protection.
- Create a specific allow rule for ARK’s
ShooterGame.exeinstead of leaving security controls disabled. - Retry the server with the protection enabled.
If disabling protection makes no difference, restore it and continue with version, port, mod, or NAT checks. The firewall test does not establish that every occurrence of this message is caused by security software.
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What to allow
Allow the ARK game executable through the active firewall profile and permit the server process on the host machine. If the PC has multiple network profiles, make sure the rule applies to the profile actually in use. Avoid broad rules that expose unrelated applications or all incoming traffic. If an antivirus product has both file protection and a separate network shield, test the network component specifically rather than uninstalling the product.
Synchronize the ARK and server builds
A Steam troubleshooting report describes servers becoming undiscoverable or unjoinable after a major patch when the server had not updated. A client and server that are on different builds can therefore fail even when the address is correct.
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Update the player’s copy
- Exit ARK completely.
- In Steam, open the ARK library entry and allow any pending update to finish.
- Restart Steam after the update if the game still shows an old build.
- Launch ARK and try the Favorites workflow again.
Update the server
The server owner must update the dedicated-server installation or use the host’s update control, then restart the server. The owner should compare the version shown in Steam’s server list with the version running on the server after the restart. Version behavior can differ by platform and server type, so do not assume that an official, unofficial, dedicated, and non-dedicated session update in exactly the same way.
When a patch has just shipped, have both sides update before changing router settings. A server that is still starting, applying an update, or waiting to register again may not be joinable during that interval. Ask the owner for confirmation that the update completed rather than relying only on an old screenshot of the server listing.
Check the server, query, and RCON ports
This section is for a dedicated-server owner or the person who controls the router and server manager. Steam discussion guidance stresses that the game port, query port, and RCON (sometimes called recon) port are separate settings. Entering or forwarding one in place of another can prevent discovery or joining.
Verify the configured values
- Open the server manager or configuration panel.
- Record the configured game port, query port, and, if enabled, RCON/recon port.
- Give players the address and port intended for joining. Do not give them the RCON/recon value as a substitute.
- In the router, forward each required port to the server machine’s current LAN IP address.
- Confirm that the host firewall permits the ARK server process and the required traffic.
- Restart the server after changing ports or forwarding rules, then test from outside the home network.
There is no universal port number to enter in this guide: exact values vary with the server configuration. Use the numbers displayed by the server manager or hosting panel. A forwarding rule aimed at an old DHCP-assigned LAN address will fail even when the port numbers themselves are correct, so reserve the host’s LAN address or otherwise ensure it remains current.
Do not confuse discovery with administration
The query port is used for server information and listing, while RCON/recon is an administration channel. A working RCON connection does not prove that the game or query path is correctly forwarded, and a visible listing does not prove that administrative access is configured. Never publish an RCON password when asking players to help test a join problem.
Test from the right network
Testing from the same home network can hide forwarding problems. Have a friend use a separate internet connection, such as cellular data or another household, to test the public address. If that external test fails for everyone, inspect the server state, forwarding, host firewall, and address. If it succeeds, focus on the local host’s NAT-loopback behavior instead.
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Repair mod and file mismatches
Modded servers add another compatibility layer. A troubleshooting report recommends updating both sides, validating files, and synchronizing the server’s mod files and ActiveMods list with the client.
On the player’s PC
- Close ARK and Steam’s game process completely.
- Allow Steam Workshop downloads for the server’s current mod set to finish.
- Start ARK only after the downloads have completed.
- Try the server again from the in-game Favorites filter.
- If the server owner supplies a changed mod list, remove obsolete local files only after confirming that any saves or backups are safe.
On the server
- Compare the server’s current mod identifiers with the mods installed on the client.
- Check the server configuration’s
ActiveModsvalue for missing, extra, or incorrectly ordered identifiers. - Update the server’s mod files and restart the server.
- Tell every player which mod set is current before they test again.
Do not delete server mod files casually. Back up the server first, particularly when the world depends on those mods. A stale or incomplete mod installation can block a join even when the base ARK build matches. Validate the game files on the client after downloads finish, but do not treat validation as a substitute for matching the server’s actual mod identifiers.
Mod-specific pitfalls
A player can have a mod installed but still be on an older version, while a server can list an identifier that is no longer present in its files. Extra client mods may also cause a mismatch when the server expects a precise set. Have the owner provide the current list in order, and compare it with the client’s Workshop subscriptions and download status.
When the host cannot join a server on the same LAN
If friends on external networks can join but the person hosting the server cannot, the problem may be NAT loopback (also called hairpin NAT). This router feature determines whether a device inside the home network can reach the host by using the server’s public address and forwarded port.
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- Ask a friend on a different internet connection to join the server.
- If the external player succeeds while the host fails, test the server’s LAN address from the host or another local PC, where the server setup supports that method.
- Check the router for a NAT-loopback or hairpin-NAT setting and enable it if available.
- If the router cannot provide loopback, use split DNS or another LAN-specific arrangement that resolves the server name or address internally to the host’s LAN address.
- Retest both an external player and the local host after each change.
A local failure with successful external joins points toward the router path, not necessarily an ARK installation problem. Keep the external test separate: a server that nobody outside the LAN can reach still needs port forwarding, firewall, address, or server-state troubleshooting.
Allow for listing propagation
A self-hosting report also describes a server becoming visible after a reinstall or reboot, or after waiting for listing propagation. If the server has just been installed, rebuilt, or restarted, wait for it to register, then refresh ARK’s list. Repeatedly changing ports before registration completes can make diagnosis harder.
Account for the server type and connection path
The remedy depends on more than the error text. Identify the session before changing settings:
- Official server: You do not control its ports or firewall. Use the in-game Favorites workaround, update the client, and check whether the service has completed a patch.
- Unofficial dedicated server: Ask the owner to verify game, query, and RCON/recon ports, forwarding, firewall rules, build, and mods.
- Non-dedicated session: The host’s game, network, and session state are all involved; a dedicated-server port checklist may not apply directly.
- Self-hosted dedicated server: The owner must check the server manager, host firewall, router forwarding, public-versus-LAN path, and client compatibility.
Also identify the path that failed: a Steam invite, Steam’s server list, ARK’s in-game browser, a direct address, or a LAN connection. A failure in one path does not automatically prove that every path is broken.
Self-hosting versus managed hosting
Self-hosting gives you control over builds, ports, firewall rules, backups, and mods, but you also have to maintain each of those pieces. A managed ARK host can provide a server panel and handle some infrastructure tasks, which may be useful when router access or a stable public address is unavailable. Hosting prices, included ports, mod support, backups, and update policies vary by provider and plan, so compare those details directly rather than assuming that moving hosts automatically fixes this message. Whether you self-host or rent, players still need the correct joining address and port, and the client and server must remain compatible.
Recovery checklist for players
- Confirm the server address and joining port with the owner.
- Add that address to Steam under View > Servers > Favorites > Add a Server.
- Join from ARK’s Join ARK screen with Session Filter: Favorites.
- Update ARK and restart Steam.
- Run the controlled firewall/antivirus test; if it succeeds, restore protection and allow
ShooterGame.exe. - Confirm that your mods and the server’s
ActiveModslist match. - Ask whether the server was updated after the latest patch and restarted.
- If only the host fails while outside players succeed, test LAN addressing and NAT loopback.
Recovery checklist for server owners
- Confirm the server is fully started and has had time to register in listings.
- Update the server to the same build as the intended clients.
- Record the configured game, query, and RCON/recon ports separately.
- Forward the required ports to the host’s current LAN IP, not an obsolete address.
- Allow the server process through the host firewall.
- Synchronize mod files and
ActiveMods; back up before removing stale files. - Test from an external network, then test the host from inside the LAN.
- If external access works but local access fails, enable hairpin NAT or provide a split-DNS/LAN route.
When to ask the server owner or host for help
Contact the owner when you have used the in-game Favorites path, confirmed your client is updated, and tested your local security software without improvement. Give the owner the exact address and port you entered, whether the server appears in ARK’s Favorites list, your client build, whether the server is modded, and whether another player can connect. That information distinguishes a client-only block from a server-wide version, port, registration, or mod problem.
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If you own the server, provide the same facts to your hosting provider or network administrator and specify whether the failing connection originates inside or outside the LAN. Do not send an RCON credential merely to troubleshoot discovery; the relevant evidence is the configured ports, build, mod set, and connection path.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Steam show this error when I join my ARK server?
The most direct explanation is the Steam server-list handoff. Add the address to Steam Favorites, but launch ARK and join through Join ARK > Favorites. This workaround changes the connection path without changing the server.
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Why can my friends join while I cannot?
If friends are outside your home network and can connect, test your PC’s firewall or antivirus and then test NAT loopback if you are the host. A successful external connection makes a completely offline server less likely.
Which port should I give players?
Give the game joining address and port shown by the server manager or hosting panel. Do not substitute the query or RCON/recon port. Exact numbers depend on the server configuration.
Do I need to disable antivirus permanently?
No. Disable protection only long enough to test, restore it immediately, and create a narrow allow rule for ShooterGame.exe if that test confirms the block.
Can a recent ARK update cause this message?
Yes. A client that updated while the server did not can lose discovery or fail to join. Update both sides and restart them before changing port or router settings.
What does ActiveMods mean?
It is the server configuration’s list of mod identifiers. The identifiers and installed files must correspond to what the client downloads. Missing, extra, stale, or incorrectly ordered entries can prevent a modded join.
Why is my server visible only after waiting or rebooting?
Server-list registration can take time after installation, a reinstall, or a restart. Allow propagation, refresh ARK’s list, and avoid changing several settings at once.
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Should I rent a server to solve the error?
Managed hosting can reduce the amount of router and server maintenance you perform, but it is not a guaranteed fix. Check the provider’s port controls, update process, mod support, backups, and plan terms, and still use ARK’s in-game Favorites workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest fix for “Unable to query server info for invite” in ARK?
Add the server address and joining port in Steam under View > Servers > Favorites, then launch ARK, choose Join ARK, set Session Filter to Favorites, refresh, and join from ARK’s list instead of Steam’s direct join command.
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If outside players can join, test your local firewall or antivirus and then NAT loopback (hairpin NAT). Try the server’s LAN address or a split-DNS arrangement if the router cannot loop the public address back inside.
Which ARK server port should players use?
Use the game joining port supplied by the server manager or host. The query port is for server information, and RCON/recon is for administration; neither should be substituted for the game port.
Can mismatched mods cause this exact error?
Yes. Update the client and server mods, compare mod identifiers, and ensure the server’s ActiveMods list matches the installed files. Back up before removing stale server files.
Should I permanently turn off Windows Firewall or antivirus?
No. Use a temporary disablement only as a test. If it fixes the connection, restore protection and allow ShooterGame.exe through the applicable firewall profile.
How long should I wait after restarting a self-hosted server?
Allow time for the server to finish starting and for listing registration to propagate, then refresh ARK’s Favorites list. A server may become visible only after a reboot or a short delay.
The Bottom Line
Start with the low-risk fix: save the address in Steam Favorites, then join through ARK’s in-game Favorites filter. If that fails, use the symptom pattern to choose the next check. Test ShooterGame.exe through the firewall, update the client and server to the same build, separate game/query/RCON ports, synchronize mods and ActiveMods, and investigate NAT loopback when only the LAN host fails. Give the owner concrete details—address, port, build, mods, and who can connect—so the problem can be isolated without exposing RCON credentials or leaving security controls disabled.
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