How to add mods to an ARK server (Evolved and Ascended)
Mods are one of the best parts of running your own ARK server, but Evolved (ASE) and Ascended (ASA) handle them differently. Always stop the server before editing any config, and back up your save first.
ARK: Survival Evolved
ASE mods come from the Steam Workshop. Each mod has a numeric ID in its Workshop page URL.
- Stop the server from the Console tab.
- Open the Files tab and find GameUserSettings.ini. It is normally under ShooterGame/Saved/Config/, in a folder named after the platform (check your panel for the exact folder).
- Under the [ServerSettings] heading, add or edit the line ActiveMods=ID1,ID2,ID3 using commas and no spaces.
- Start the server. It downloads the mods on boot, so the first start takes longer.
Some panels also have a dedicated mods field. If yours does, use that instead and check the result in the ini afterwards.
ARK: Survival Ascended
ASA mods come from CurseForge, not Steam. Find the mod on CurseForge and copy its project ID. Mods are usually added with the -mods= launch option, for example -mods=ID1,ID2. If your panel has a Startup tab, look for a mods or additional arguments field. If you are unsure where it goes on your server, ask us on Discord.
Mod order matters
Mods load in the order listed. Put library or framework mods first, then content mods that depend on them. If two mods change the same thing, the later one usually wins.
Common problems
- Players cannot join: they must be able to download the same mods. In ASE they subscribe on the Workshop, in ASA the game downloads them from the server list.
- Mod fails to download: a mod may be removed, private, or out of date. Remove its ID and try again.
- Crash after adding many mods: add them in small batches to find the problem mod.
- Mod is missing after an update: the author may not have updated it for the new game version yet.
Remember that removing a mod from a map that already has its dinos or structures can cause those items to disappear, so back up first.