You decide which services we may enable for analytics, personalization, and external content.
We use cookies and similar technologies on our website to personalize content, embed external media, and better understand how individual areas are used.
Necessary cookies
These entries support essential functions such as security, stability, and form processing.
Optional sections
AnalyticsMarketingPersonalizationExternal media
Your data may be processed with your consent or on the basis of legitimate interests. In the cookie settings, you can reject or explicitly allow each optional category.
Some services process personal data in third countries. By consenting, you also agree to this transfer. You can find more information in our Privacy Policy.
You can reopen and change your selection at any time. · 1.0.2
Learn how to troubleshoot and fix common ARK: Survival Evolved server issues for a smooth gaming experience → Find out more
10 November 20267 min read0 Views0 helpful
Introduction
Setting up and running your own ARK: Survival Evolved game server can be incredibly exciting and a lot of fun. It’s a great way to build a custom gaming environment and community, but it also means taking responsibility when things go wrong. Crashes, lag, and configuration issues are common challenges that every server owner will encounter at some point.
To help you spend less time troubleshooting and more time playing, this section covers the most common issues server owners face and provides solutions to help you resolve them quickly and effectively.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
This may happen if initialization didn’t complete successfully, for example due to an incorrect configuration or corrupted files. Check the server console or log files, and make sure no incorrect filters are enabled in the server list.
Common causes include faulty server software, broken or incompatible add-ons, system overload, or configuration errors.
Feedback
Was this article helpful?
Your feedback helps us prioritize and improve content.
0 of 0 Users found this article helpful.
Personal support
Need more help than the guide provides?
Our ZAP support team knows your product — briefly describe your issue and we'll help you personally.
Navigation
Ark: Survival Evolved
Issues and solutions
Server issues can have many different causes, and they aren’t always immediately obvious. Learn how to analyze and resolve common issues step by step to keep everything running smoothly.
General
General issues can include all kinds of unexpected problems that don’t fit into a specific category. They’re often related to basic settings, missing files, or simple configuration errors. These can usually be fixed quickly with a few checks and adjustments.
Server not visible
If your server isn’t visible, initialization may not have completed successfully. This could be due to an incorrect configuration or corrupted files, for example. You can usually find more information in the server console or log files. You should also make sure that no incorrect filters are enabled in the server list that could prevent your server from appearing.
Crashes
Nothing ruins a good session faster than an unexpected crash. Crashes can be caused by faulty server software, broken or incompatible add-ons (such as plugins, mods, resources, or frameworks), system overload, or configuration errors.
Keep your server up to date
Always running the latest version of your game server is essential for stability, security, and compatibility. Game updates, framework changes, or updates to third-party tools can cause serious issues if your server is out of date.
An outdated game server can cause crashes, unexpected behavior, or even startup issues.
Faulty or problematic add-ons (frameworks, plugins, mods, resources)
Crashes are often caused by faulty or outdated add-ons. Whether it’s a framework, plugin, mod, or resource, issues can arise when an add-on isn’t compatible with the latest game version or has bugs in its code.
This can lead to unexpected server crashes, freezes, or errors, especially when several problematic add-ons interact. If you suspect an add-on is causing the issue, try disabling it and see whether your server remains stable without it. This is a quick way to identify which add-on is causing trouble.
Make sure all the add-ons you use are up to date, actively maintained, and tested for compatibility with the current game version to prevent crashes and downtime.
To narrow down the cause of crashes, it often helps to temporarily disable additional content. Start with a minimal configuration and check whether the issue persists. If it goes away, add your add-ons, mods, or resources back one at a time, testing after each step. This helps you pinpoint the item causing the problem. This approach saves time and helps you make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions.
Performance
Smooth server performance is essential for a good gaming experience. Issues such as lag, delays, or sudden crashes often occur when the server configuration isn’t optimal, the hardware doesn’t meet the requirements, or installed add-ons overload the system.
Common causes include incorrect settings, insufficient resources, or unoptimized plugins and mods. Checking and adjusting these areas can resolve most performance issues and keep your game stable and responsive.
Poor server configuration
Incorrect or poorly adjusted server settings can increase resource usage and cause performance issues such as lag or stuttering. Make sure your configuration values match the recommended settings for your game and server size. Review and adjust them as needed to help your server run as efficiently as possible.
You can easily adjust your configuration in the Configuration tab — an AI will automatically display the appropriate settings as form fields, or you can edit the raw text of the config file directly.
Game requirements not met
To keep your game server running smoothly and reliably, it’s important to choose a configuration that fits your planned project. Requirements vary significantly depending on the game, your use of add-ons such as mods, plugins, or resources, and the expected number of players.
During checkout, ZAP-Hosting provides a recommended minimum configuration. It’s based on typical use cases and is intended to help you avoid common performance issues such as lag, crashes, or long loading times.
Please follow these recommendations or upgrade your configuration if needed to ensure optimal stability and the best experience for you and your players. This is a minimum recommendation.
Depending on the scope of your project and the amount of additional content, you may need more resources from the start, or your requirements may increase over time. In these cases, upgrading your game server package is the easiest way to ensure performance and stability.
Not all add-ons are optimized for performance. Whether it’s a framework, plugin, mod, or resource, poor implementation can cause significant performance issues on your server. The functionality may work, but its execution could be inefficient, overly complex, or use unnecessary server resources.
This can lead to high CPU usage, memory leaks, lag, or even crashes, especially when several unoptimized components interact. Make sure your add-ons are actively maintained, well documented, and tested for performance. If in doubt, community feedback or monitoring your server’s performance can help you identify problematic items.
To narrow down the cause of performance issues, it often helps to temporarily disable additional content. Start with a minimal configuration and check whether the issue persists. If it goes away, add your add-ons, mods, or resources back one at a time, testing after each step. This helps you pinpoint the item causing the problem, whether it’s a conflict, memory leak, or excessive resource usage.
This approach saves time and helps you make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions.
Network
Network issues can cause lag, delays, or disconnections. They can have many different causes, but can usually be resolved with the right settings and security measures.
Ping spikes, lag, and network delays
Ping spikes, lag, and network delays are usually caused by limited server resources, such as insufficient CPU power, RAM, or bandwidth.
They can also occur when the server is overloaded by a large number of players or resource-intensive scripts and plugins. Network issues such as poor routing, external congestion, or a server location far from your player base can further increase latency.
Background processes, unstable internet connections, packet loss, and outdated or incorrectly configured server software can also cause noticeable performance issues in the game.
If you notice lag or high ping on your server, there are a few simple steps you can take to improve performance. First, make sure your server meets or exceeds the recommended specs for your game and project. Choosing a server location close to your player base can also help reduce latency.
If you suspect routing issues or external network problems are the cause, don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’ll help you analyze the situation and find the best solution.
DDoS and other network threats
Game servers can occasionally be targeted by malicious network attacks, especially Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These flood the server with excessive traffic, leading to lag, connection loss, or even complete downtime. In other cases, attackers may try to exploit network vulnerabilities or disrupt server stability through repeated connection attempts or unusual data patterns.
While most of these threats are outside the control of regular users, ZAP-Hosting provides built-in protection and defense systems to safeguard your server against common and advanced attacks. If you suspect your server is being targeted and is experiencing issues, contact our support team for help and further instructions.
Preventive measures
Regular backups can save you a lot of stress and hassle. Create backups regularly so you can restore an earlier version that was working if something goes wrong. We already back up your game server automatically every day. With the ZapX Pass, you can also create your own backups at any time and restore them with one click — with ZapX Pass Pro, you can even automate backups on your own schedule. Find out more in our guide to backups.
Conclusion
These steps should help you resolve your issue. If your issue is listed here, the corresponding solution should point you in the right direction and get your server running again quickly.
If not, don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’re here for you every day and will be happy to help! 🙂
Server hosting from €2.49 / month, online instantly, DDoS protection included.
Preferred source on Google
