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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To join an ARK server by address, you need the server’s public connection string in IP:PORT form. The port is essential: Steam’s server browser normally uses the server’s query port, while the in-game connection command uses the game port. On a standard dedicated setup, the documented defaults are UDP 7777 for gameplay, UDP 7778 for the peer port, and UDP 27015 for Steam queries. Ask the server owner or hosting control panel for the exact address because administrators can change these values or run several server instances.
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Steam players add the supplied query address through Steam’s View > Servers window. Epic Games Store players launch a single-player session and run open IP:PORT in ARK’s console. If a server does not appear, check the address, edition and build, crossplay settings, firewall rules, and router forwarding before assuming the server is offline.
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What you need before connecting
Collect these details from the server owner, administrator, or hosting panel:
- Public IP address or hostname: This is the internet-facing address, not a private address such as
192.168.x.xor10.x.x.xwhen you are joining from outside the host’s network. - Port: The correct port depends on the connection method. Steam Favorites generally needs the Steam query port; the in-game
opencommand needs the game port. - Password: Keep it available if the server is protected. Some clients ask for it only after the connection starts.
- Edition and platform compatibility: Your copy must match the server’s ARK edition and a compatible game build. Crossplay must also be enabled and configured for the platforms taking part.
A complete address might look like 203.0.113.25:27015 for a Steam Favorites entry or 203.0.113.25:7777 for a direct in-game connection. These are illustrative formats, not working servers; use the values supplied for your server.
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- Use cunning strategy and tactics to tame, train, ride and breed the 100+ dinosaurs and other primeval creatures roaming the dynamic, persistent ecosystems across land, sea, air, and even underground Build your character's strengths and gain items, skills, and pet creatures using in-depth role-playing systems
- Start a tribe with hundreds of other players to survive and dominate competing tribes...and ultimately discover ARK's true purpose
- Build a fire or shelter, then craft customizable clothing & armors to help protect against damage and extreme temperatures on your way to unlocking advanced technologies and equipment
- Chop down trees and mine metal and other precious resources to build massive multi-leveled structures composed of complex snap-linked parts
Which ARK port should you use?
ARK servers can expose several ports, and confusing them is one of the most common reasons a direct connection fails. The ARK Official Community Wiki documents these default values for a dedicated server:
| Purpose | Default protocol and port | What it does | Used by a player joining? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game port | UDP 7777 | Carries the main gameplay connection. | Yes, for an in-game direct connection. |
| Peer port | UDP 7778 | Default peer/network port; normally one higher than the game port. | Not normally entered as the player’s address. |
| Steam query port | UDP 27015 | Lets Steam’s server browser query and list the server. | Yes, when adding the server in Steam Favorites. |
| RCON | TCP 27020 (optional) | Remote administration for server operators. | No; it is not a player join port. |
These are defaults, not guarantees. A host can assign different ports, especially when several ARK instances share one machine. Do not replace a supplied query port with 7777, or a supplied game port with 27015, simply because those numbers are common. Request the exact connection string and ask which port is intended for Steam Favorites or the in-game command.
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Join through Steam on PC
Steam’s server utility is the most reliable way to save and reach a server by IP. The address entered there should be the server’s query address.
Step 1: Open Steam’s server window
- Start the Steam desktop client and sign in.
- Open View > Servers.
- Select the Favorites tab.
This window is separate from ARK’s in-game server list, so you can add a server even when the game browser is slow or fails to display it.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
Step 2: Add the server
- Choose Add a Server to Favorites.
- Paste the supplied public address in
IP:PORTformat. For Steam, this is normallyIP:QUERYPORT, such as203.0.113.25:27015. - Submit the address and refresh the list.
If the entry remains empty, verify that you were given the Steam query port rather than the game port. Also check that the server is running and that its query port is reachable through the host firewall and router.
Step 3: Launch ARK from the result
- Select the server in the Favorites list.
- Use the option to launch or join it.
- Wait for ARK to load the server. Enter the password in the game if the server requests one.
Steam may show a server before ARK can complete the gameplay connection. A visible listing therefore confirms that the query service responded, not that every compatibility or firewall requirement is correct.
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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 problemsJoin through the Epic Games Store version on PC
The Epic Games Store version does not provide a launcher-level direct-connect box. Host Havoc Technical Support Team stated on June 10, 2026 that “The Epic Games Store version of ARK does not currently have a way to join a server directly via IP/port.” The practical workaround is ARK’s in-game console command.
Step 1: Start a single-player session
- Launch ARK from Epic Games Store.
- Start a single-player game and wait until you are in the world.
- Press Tab to open the console. If you changed the key binding, use your configured console key instead.
Step 2: Run the open command
- Type
open <IP>:<PORT>, replacing both placeholders with the server’s public address and game port. - For example, if the administrator supplied game port 7777, the format is
open 203.0.113.25:7777. The example address is only a format demonstration. - Press Enter and wait for ARK to switch to the remote server.
Step 3: Supply the password if prompted
If the server is password-protected, enter the password in the in-game prompt. If the browser workflow did not pass credentials correctly, the password may be requested after the connection begins.
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- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game. Run too far and not only will you be exhausted, but you will also quickly get hungry and thirsty. Weather effects are based on real-world climates, and so you'll need to hide out from rain and snow, while making the most of sunny days
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Gather Resources, Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes and style of everything from the walls of your home, to your character's armor, weapons and more
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout. Make your way to the final boss and figure out why you've been dropped into this Jurassic-era experience
Use the game port for open; do not copy the Steam query port unless the administrator specifically configured the server that way. Epic and Steam clients can connect only when the server’s platform and crossplay configuration permits the combination.
Steam and Epic connection methods compared
| Item | Steam PC | Epic Games Store PC |
|---|---|---|
| Entry point | Steam client: View > Servers > Favorites | ARK single-player session, then the in-game console |
| Command or field | Add the supplied IP:QUERYPORT |
open IP:PORT |
| Typical default port | UDP 27015 query port | UDP 7777 game port |
| Where a password is entered | Usually after ARK starts the connection if requested | In-game when prompted |
| What can prevent the join | Wrong query port, blocked query traffic, incompatible build or platform settings | Wrong game port, blocked gameplay traffic, incompatible build or platform settings |
Why the server does not appear or connect
The address is private or outdated
An internet friend cannot use the host’s private LAN address. Re-copy the current public IP or hostname and port from the owner. Dynamic residential connections can change public IP addresses, and hosts running multiple instances may reassign ports.
The wrong port was entered
Steam Favorites needs the query endpoint in most standard setups, while open uses the gameplay endpoint. A server can be online on UDP 7777 while Steam queries are unavailable on UDP 27015, or the administrator can use entirely different values. Ask which port corresponds to each method.
Router forwarding or firewall rules are missing
For a server hosted behind a home router, the relevant UDP ports must be forwarded from the public interface to the machine running ARK. The host firewall must also allow the traffic. At minimum, confirm the configured game and query ports; the peer port is normally the game port plus one. RCON TCP 27020 is needed only for remote administration, not for players.
Rank #4
- Capture and Tame Dinosaurs: Discover over 100 different dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures on the island, finding ways to tame them into useful additions for your tribe's dino herd
- Survive Above All: Hunger, thirst, basic safety, and protecting yourself from the weather are all part of the game
- Harvest, Hunt and Build: Cut down trees and turn them into a basic home, which you can quickly expand into a Jurassic estate. Hunt for meat, scavenge for plants (or start your own garden!)
- Customize Everything: An extensive crafting system invites you to mix and match materials scavenged from the island, while also modifying the colors, textures, shapes, and styles
- Explore the Island: Solve the mystery of The ARK as you explore this massive island, discovering Explorer's Notebooks (filled with clues!) throughout
When troubleshooting a hosted service, have the operator verify that the instance is started, listening on the advertised ports, and not restricted by a provider-level firewall. Opening unrelated ports does not solve an ARK join failure and can create unnecessary exposure.
The server and client are on different builds or editions
Check that you are launching the same ARK edition as the server and that both sides are updated to compatible builds. An address alone cannot bridge incompatible editions. If one player can join while another cannot, compare each client’s edition, platform and update status before changing network settings.
Crossplay is not configured for the participating platforms
ARK server configuration identifies platform targets including PC, PS5, XSX, WINGDK and ALL, along with crossplay-related settings. The server must explicitly support the platforms that are trying to connect, and Epic clients require the appropriate public-IP configuration. Enabling a crossplay option on the client alone does not make an otherwise incompatible server joinable.
The in-game browser is incomplete or slow
On Steam, use the Favorites workflow instead of waiting for the public in-game list. A saved query address avoids relying on a broad server-browser refresh. If Favorites cannot resolve the entry, return to the port, firewall and server-status checks rather than repeatedly refreshing.
The password is rejected or never appears
Confirm the password with the administrator and check capitalization. If a browser attempt does not pass it, connect far enough for ARK to display its in-game password prompt and enter it there. A successful query response does not bypass a server password.
Host-side checklist for an internet ARK server
If you operate the server, give players a short, unambiguous connection note instead of only sending an IP address:
- Public address or hostname.
- Steam query address, including its query port.
- Game address, including its game port.
- Password, if required, shared through an appropriate private channel.
- ARK edition, server build and supported platforms.
- Whether Steam–Epic or broader crossplay is enabled.
For a default-style configuration, document UDP 7777 as the game port, UDP 7778 as the peer port and UDP 27015 as the Steam query port. If you changed any value, publish the changed value rather than the default. Forward the configured UDP ports from the router to the server machine and permit them in the operating-system or hosting firewall. Keep optional TCP 27020 restricted to the administrators who need RCON.
Can Xbox or PlayStation players enter an arbitrary IP?
A universal, current procedure for manually entering any ARK IP:PORT on Xbox or PlayStation is not established here. Console menus and platform networking rules can differ from the PC workflows above. Do not assume that Steam Favorites or the PC console command exists on a console. Verify the instructions for the exact console, ARK edition and server configuration in the relevant official platform or game documentation.
A fast diagnostic sequence
- Confirm the target: Ask the owner for the current public address, the game port, the Steam query port and the password.
- Choose the matching method: Steam uses Favorites and normally the query port; Epic PC uses
open IP:PORTand the game port. - Check compatibility: Match the ARK edition, client build, platform target and crossplay settings.
- Check reachability: Have the owner verify the server process, router forwarding and host-firewall rules for the configured UDP ports.
- Retry with the corrected value: Remove an old Favorites entry, add the exact current address, or rerun the Epic console command.
- Handle authentication: Enter the password when ARK prompts, and ask the owner to confirm it if rejected.
This order separates address mistakes from server configuration problems. It also prevents a common dead end: changing client settings when the server is advertising a private IP, the wrong port, or an incompatible platform target.
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