How To Play Lan Ark Survival Evolved Exclusive < GENUINE · 2025 >
All computers must connect to the same router via Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi.
If you plan to expand your LAN setup in the future or want to tweak advanced options, let me know:
Note: Non-dedicated sessions enforce a "tether distance." Guest players cannot move too far away from the host player without being dragged back.
Playing ARK: Survival Evolved on a LAN is the ultimate way to enjoy a private, high-performance survival experience with your closest allies. For a quick and dirty game with one or two friends, the method is the way to go, provided you remember to crank up that Tether Distance to 999999 . how to play lan ark survival evolved exclusive
Type the word open followed by a space, the host's IP address, a colon, and the game port ( 7777 ). Example: open 192.168.1.50:7777
Download and install from the official forums or GitHub. Create a dedicated folder on your drive named ARK Server .
Playing on a Local Area Network (LAN) allows you to host a private game for people on the same Wi-Fi or ethernet connection without needing a public internet server. You can choose between a quick Non-Dedicated Session for casual play or a Dedicated Server for a more permanent, stable world. Method 1: Non-Dedicated LAN Session (easiest) All computers must connect to the same router
Open your command prompt, navigate to your SteamCMD folder, and run the following command to download the server:
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If players see a "Connection Timed Out" error when trying to join, the issue is often related to the host machine's firewall . Follow the steps in the "Firewall Blocking the Connection" section above to add an exception for the game. Also, double-check that no virtual network adapters (like those from VPN software, VMware, or Hamachi) are interfering with the local network communication. For a quick and dirty game with one
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| Step | Action | | :--- | :--- | | | 1. Download and install ARK Server Manager from a trusted source. 2. Launch ASM. It will automatically prompt you to set a Server Installation Directory (where the server files will live) and a Backup Location . 3. Click the big Install button to let ASM download the latest dedicated server files from Steam via SteamCMD. This will take some time. | | Step 2: Initial Configuration | 1. Click the + (plus) icon in the top-left corner to create your first server profile. 2. Navigate to the General tab. Here you set the Server Name (make it unique so you can find it), Password , Map , and any Mod IDs (from the Steam Workshop) you wish to use. | | Step 3: Network & Ports | 1. Go to the Network tab. For a LAN-only server , the default ports are usually fine. You can ignore any "Port Forwarding" options, as those are for making the server public online. 2. Ensure that your Windows Firewall allows the ShooterGameServer.exe through. ASM often handles this for you automatically. | | Step 4: Advanced Rules | 1. Explore the Settings tab. This is where you can fine-tune every game rule: Taming Speed, XP Multiplier, Harvest Amount, Day/Night Cycle , difficulty offset, and much more. 2. You can save different "Settings Presets" for different types of games (e.g., a "Hardcore PvP" or a "Casual Builder" preset). | | Step 5: Launch and Connect | 1. Click the large Start button on the toolbar. The console window will pop up and show the server as it loads. Wait for it to finish initializing, which can take several minutes. 2. Launch ARK on any other PC on your network, go to Join ARK , and filter the session list by LAN or Unofficial . Your server should appear. If not, use Steam's server browser by going to View > Game Servers > Favorites > Add A Server and entering your host machine's local IP address . |
: Connect all PCs to the same network router via RJ45 Ethernet cables or high-speed Wi-Fi. Hardwired connections are strongly recommended to maximize packet stability.
ARK: Survival Evolved is an incredibly immersive survival experience, but fighting off dinosaurs and building massive bases is infinitely better with friends. While online servers offer a massive community, playing on a Local Area Network (LAN) provides a private, lag-free, and exclusive experience for you and your friends, even without an internet connection.