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The reliable way to automate updates for an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server is to run SteamCMD’s update command before every server start, then launch ShooterGameServer. The dedicated-server app ID is 376030. On Linux, put the SteamCMD command in systemd’s ExecStartPre; on Windows, place it in a batch file immediately before the server-launch command. Back up ShooterGame/Saved, test the sequence during a maintenance window, and monitor SteamCMD output before allowing unattended restarts.
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What automatic updates do—and do not do
An ARK server update is a file update performed by SteamCMD. The server process itself does not download and install a new build while it is running. Automation means arranging a repeatable sequence:
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- Run SteamCMD with
app_update 376030. - Wait for SteamCMD to finish and return success.
- Start
ShooterGameServerwith the desired map and session settings.
A service manager or script can execute that sequence every time the server starts. This keeps the installation current without requiring an administrator to type the update command after each restart. It does not remove the need to plan maintenance, protect saved data, or investigate a failed download.
Prepare the server before enabling unattended updates
Install SteamCMD and select one server directory
Install SteamCMD on the machine that hosts the dedicated server and choose a permanent installation directory for ARK. The update command must point to that same directory every time. Changing paths between manual and automated runs can create multiple installations, causing you to update one copy and launch another.
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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
Use an absolute path for both SteamCMD and the server files. For example, the Linux paths in the service below use /home/steam/steamcmd for SteamCMD and /home/steam/servers/ark for the server. Substitute your own paths rather than copying them blindly.
Confirm the manual update command first
Before creating a service or scheduled task, run the update manually from an administrative shell:
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steamcmd +force_install_dir <install_dir> +login anonymous +app_update 376030 +quitReplace <install_dir> with the directory where ShooterGameServer is installed. The command selects that directory, signs in with SteamCMD’s anonymous account, updates the ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated-server app (ID 376030), and exits. Running this once exposes permission, path, disk-space, or network problems before a service hides them in a background log.
Back up the data that matters
Copy ShooterGame/Saved to storage outside the live server directory before enabling unattended updates. That directory contains the world saves, player and tribe data, configuration, logs, and cluster data identified by the dedicated-server documentation. Keep a dated copy that can be restored independently of the game installation.
- Stop the server before copying files so the save is not changing during the backup.
- Keep at least one backup from before the first automated update and rotate later backups rather than overwriting the only copy.
- Record the map, session name, launch arguments, and mod settings alongside the backup so a replacement instance can be recreated.
- Test that a backup can actually be opened or restored; a copy operation that silently skipped files is not a recovery plan.
Choose a maintenance window
An update can download files and may require a restart. Tell players when the server will be unavailable, then test the full stop, update, start, and reconnect sequence at a quiet time. Do not make the first unattended run during a busy play session or immediately before an event.
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- 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
Linux: update before every systemd start
Systemd is a good fit when ARK is already managed as a service. Its ExecStartPre directive runs SteamCMD before the game executable. If SteamCMD fails, systemd does not proceed to the normal start command, which prevents a service from launching an unverified or partially updated installation.
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1. Create and test the service account and paths
Run SteamCMD and ARK as the same non-root account where practical, and ensure that account can read and write the server directory, SteamCMD files, and ShooterGame/Saved. A service that works from an interactive shell but fails under systemd usually has a different user, working directory, or environment.
2. Add the update command to the unit
Create a unit file such as /etc/systemd/system/ark.service. This is the essential pattern:
[Unit]
Description=ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
User=steam
WorkingDirectory=/home/steam/servers/ark
ExecStartPre=/home/steam/steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/steam/servers/ark +login anonymous +app_update 376030 +quit
ExecStart=/home/steam/servers/ark/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/ShooterGameServer TheIsland?SessionName=<session_name>
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetReplace User, both paths, the map, and <session_name> with your values. The important relationship is that ExecStartPre updates the same directory that ExecStart launches. The documented startup pattern specifically places SteamCMD before the server executable.
3. Reload, enable, and start systemd
- Reload unit files after creating or editing the service.
- Start the service manually once and watch the output.
- Enable it if the server should start automatically when the machine boots.
- Stop and start it again during your maintenance window to verify that the update step runs on every start, not only the first one.
The exact commands depend on the distribution’s systemd installation, but the operational sequence is always the same: reload the manager, start the unit, inspect its status and journal, then enable it for boot if desired. Do not enable boot-start until a manual start has completed successfully.
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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
4. Read the service and SteamCMD logs
When a start takes longer than usual, check the systemd journal for the unit and look for SteamCMD’s completion message or an explicit error. A successful service start should show SteamCMD finishing before the ShooterGameServer process begins. If the pre-start command fails, fix that error first rather than repeatedly restarting the game.
Windows: chain SteamCMD and the server in a batch file
Windows administrators can use a batch file that runs SteamCMD, waits for it to finish, and then launches the server. The batch file is the Windows equivalent of systemd’s pre-start hook.
1. Write the update-and-launch script
Save a file such as start-ark.bat outside the live save directory. A minimal example is:
@echo off
set STEAMCMD=C:steamcmdsteamcmd.exe
set ARKDIR=C:ARKServer
"%STEAMCMD%" +force_install_dir "%ARKDIR%" +login anonymous +app_update 376030 +quit
if errorlevel 1 (
echo SteamCMD update failed. Server will not start.
exit /b 1
)
cd /d "%ARKDIR%"
"%ARKDIR%ShooterGameBinariesWin64ShooterGameServer.exe" TheIsland?SessionName=<session_name>
Change the SteamCMD path, ARK directory, map, and session name. The if errorlevel 1 guard is important: it prevents the script from launching the server after SteamCMD reports a failure. Keep the quotes around paths that contain spaces.
2. Use one launcher, not competing shortcuts
Start the server through the batch file every time. If an administrator or a scheduled task launches ShooterGameServer.exe directly, that path bypasses the update step. Remove old shortcuts or rename them so the update-aware launcher is the obvious entry point.
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
3. Schedule it only after manual testing
Run the batch file from an administrator command prompt and confirm that SteamCMD completes before the game opens. If you use Windows Task Scheduler, configure the task to run under the account that owns the server files, set the working directory to the ARK installation, and capture standard output to a log file. A scheduled task should not be allowed to start a second copy while the first server is still running.
Updating on restart versus updating while the server is running
Putting app_update 376030 in a start hook updates on the next start. It does not automatically restart a live server when a new build appears. To update a running instance safely, use a controlled maintenance procedure:
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Announce the shutdown and give players time to leave.
- Stop the ARK service or process cleanly and wait for it to exit.
- Back up
ShooterGame/Saved. - Run the SteamCMD update command against the live installation.
- Check the SteamCMD result and logs.
- Start the service or batch file, allowing its pre-start update to validate the installation again.
- Join the server as an administrator and confirm the expected map, session name, saves, and settings.
Do not overwrite binaries while ShooterGameServer is running. Locked or in-use files can leave an incomplete installation and make the next launch less predictable.
Make unattended updates safer
Keep update and launch logs separate from player data
Retain the output from SteamCMD and the service manager outside the rotating game-save backup. Logs let you distinguish an ordinary “no files needed” check from a network timeout, authentication problem, permission error, or interrupted download. Include the date and the server version information available in the log when recording an incident.
Prevent overlapping runs
Only one update process should target an installation at a time. Avoid a boot service, a scheduled task, and a manual script all starting together. If you operate more than one ARK instance, give each instance its own server directory and service or script so one update cannot modify another instance’s files.
Decide what failure should do
The safest default is fail closed: if SteamCMD returns an error, do not launch the server. Starting on stale files may be acceptable for a short outage in some communities, but that is a deliberate policy decision rather than a property of SteamCMD. If you choose a fallback, alert an administrator and record that the server started without a confirmed update.
Protect configuration and mod compatibility
Keep launch arguments and configuration under versioned or dated backups. An ARK server update can coincide with changes that affect mods or client compatibility. After an update, verify that the server reaches the expected map and that the configuration loaded from the intended directory. Do not assume that a successful download means every mod or custom setting is compatible.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Self-hosting or managed ARK hosting?
Automatic updates are possible in both models, but the responsibilities differ. Self-hosting gives you direct control over the files and the update timing; managed hosting moves much of the operating-system and service administration to the provider. Provider features, regions, prices, cancellation terms, backups, and ARK edition support vary, so verify those details for the specific service before committing.
| Consideration | Self-hosted server | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Files and mods | Direct access to binaries, saves, configurations, and mod workflow. | Access depends on the provider’s control panel, file tools, and mod support. |
| Operating-system administration | You install SteamCMD, maintain the OS, manage permissions, and operate systemd or scheduled tasks. | The provider usually operates the host OS and exposes a server-management interface. |
| Backups | You must back up ShooterGame/Saved and verify restores. |
Backup frequency, retention, restore access, and extra charges depend on the provider. |
| Maintenance-window control | You choose exactly when to stop, update, test, and restart. | Control ranges from manual scheduling to provider-managed restart policies. |
| Update-failure visibility | You can inspect the complete SteamCMD and service logs. | You may see only panel status or provider logs unless detailed access is included. |
| Cost | You pay for the machine, storage, network service, and your administration time. | You pay a recurring hosting fee; included resources, backups, and support vary. |
| Geographic latency | You select the machine location, subject to your own infrastructure options. | You select from the provider’s available regions; confirm that the region serves your players. |
Choose self-hosting when file-level control and custom administration matter more than convenience. Choose managed hosting when you would rather delegate the OS, service process, and routine maintenance, and the provider’s backup and region policies meet your requirements.
Troubleshooting automatic-update failures
SteamCMD says the command cannot find or update the app
- Check that the command uses app ID
376030, not a client-game identifier or a different server application. - Confirm that
+force_install_dirpoints to the directory launched byExecStartor the batch file. - Run the same command interactively as the service account to expose permission and path differences.
- Check network access and available disk space, then rerun the command before restarting the service.
The service starts but the update did not run
- Inspect the unit and confirm that
ExecStartPreis spelled correctly and belongs to the service you actually started. - Check for a second unit, shortcut, or scheduled task that launches
ShooterGameServerdirectly. - Compare the SteamCMD installation path with the path in the service. Relative paths can resolve differently under systemd.
The batch file opens and closes immediately
- Run it from a command prompt so the error remains visible.
- Verify the quoted paths and the drive letter in
cd /d. - Confirm that SteamCMD has finished before the server command is reached.
- Keep the error-level check in place; it is better to leave the server stopped than to hide an update failure.
The server will not start after an update
- Read the SteamCMD and server logs before trying repeated restarts.
- Confirm that the server is using the intended map, session name, configuration, and save directory.
- Check whether a mod or custom configuration is incompatible with the updated server build.
- If saved data appears missing, stop the process and restore the dated
ShooterGame/Savedbackup rather than creating new data over the original files.
Players cannot connect after the restart
- Verify that the server process stayed running after the update completed.
- Check that the expected session name and map were passed to the launch command.
- Review firewall, port-forwarding, and host-network changes separately from SteamCMD; an update command does not configure network access.
Pre-flight checklist
- SteamCMD is installed and executable by the account that runs ARK.
- The server directory is permanent, writable, and the same path is used by update and launch commands.
- The command contains
+app_update 376030and ends with+quit. ShooterGame/Savedhas a dated backup stored outside the live installation.- Linux services use
ExecStartPre; Windows launchers run SteamCMD beforeShooterGameServer. - A failed SteamCMD run prevents an unattended launch unless you have intentionally chosen and documented another policy.
- Only one updater or launcher can operate on an installation at a time.
- The first automated run has been tested during a maintenance window, with logs retained and a restore plan available.
Bottom line
Use SteamCMD with ARK’s dedicated-server app ID 376030, execute it before every server start, and launch the game only after the update command succeeds. Systemd’s ExecStartPre is the clean Linux integration; a guarded batch file is the equivalent on Windows. Back up ShooterGame/Saved and validate the complete restart path before treating the process as unattended.
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