How to Update Your ARK Server
ARK dedicated servers update automatically within 15 minutes of a patch release when the server is empty. Trigger an immediate update manually with a reboot. What to do when auto-updates don't apply.
Automatic Updates
ARK servers update without you having to do anything. When Wildcard drops a patch:
- Our infrastructure detects the release and queues your server for an update
- The update is held until no players are connected — it won't kick people mid-session
- Once the server empties out, the update applies and the server comes back on the new build
This means a busy server can lag behind a patch if players stay connected. If that matters to you, use a manual update.
Manual Update (Force Immediately)
Don't want to wait for the server to drain naturally:
- Open your AMP or WISP panel
- Give players a heads-up — Discord, in-game MOTD, whatever your community uses
- Hit Reboot (or Update) on your server
The reboot clears any players, pulls the latest build, and starts back up on the new version.
After a Major Update
Large ARK patches sometimes require additional steps:
- Check mod compatibility — mods may break after major game updates. Check each mod's Steam Workshop page for update notes. Outdated mods will show errors in the server console on startup.
- Update mods — if any mods aren't auto-updating, removing and re-adding them in the Mods panel forces a fresh download.
- Verify Game.ini and GameUserSettings.ini — major patches occasionally reset or restructure config files. Keep a local backup of your config files so you can restore custom settings quickly.
Client and Server Version Must Match
Players cannot connect to a server running a different version. If a player gets a version mismatch error after an update:
- Server updated, player hasn't → Player needs to update ARK through Steam
- Player updated, server hasn't → Server needs a reboot to apply the update
- Mods out of date → Update the mod on the server and have players update client-side
Troubleshooting
Server not updating automatically
- Confirm the server has been empty (no players) since the update was released
- Try a manual reboot to force the update
- If the server still won't update after a reboot, contact support — they can push the update manually
Server crashes after update
- A mod is likely incompatible with the new game version
- Disable all mods temporarily (via the Mods panel) and test — re-enable one at a time to find the problem mod