ARK crashes when hosting non dedicated server PC: Survival Evolved is a popular action-adventure survival game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes. One of the common issues that players encounter when hosting a non-dedicated server on PC is the game crashing. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of an intense gaming session with friends. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why ARK crashes when hosting a non-dedicated server and provide solutions to help you resolve these issues.
Common Causes of ARK Crashes on Non-Dedicated Servers
- System Requirements and Hardware Limitations
One of the primary reasons ARK crashes is due to insufficient hardware resources. Hosting a non-dedicated server requires significant CPU, GPU, and RAM resources. If your PC does not meet the minimum or recommended system requirements, the game may struggle to run smoothly, leading to crashes. - Outdated Graphics Drivers
ARK: Survival Evolved is graphically demanding, and using outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause the game to crash. It is essential to ensure that your GPU drivers are up-to-date to maintain compatibility with the latest game updates. - Mod Conflicts
ARK has a thriving modding community, and many players use mods to enhance their gameplay experience. However, mods can sometimes conflict with each other or with the game itself, leading to instability and crashes. - Corrupt Game Files
Corrupt or missing game files are another common cause of crashes. This can happen due to incomplete updates, improper shutdowns, or disk errors. When the game tries to access these files, it may crash or fail to launch. - Overheating and Thermal Throttling
Hosting a non-dedicated server puts additional stress on your PC’s hardware, which can lead to overheating. When components such as the CPU or GPU overheat, they may throttle their performance or shut down to prevent damage, causing the game to crash. - Insufficient Virtual Memory
Virtual memory, also known as a paging file, acts as an extension of your RAM. If your system runs out of RAM while hosting a server, it relies on virtual memory. However, if the virtual memory settings are too low, it can cause the game to crash. - Software Conflicts
Background applications, antivirus software, or other system processes can interfere with ARK’s operation, causing it to crash. Software conflicts are often difficult to identify but can be a significant source of instability.
Solutions to Prevent ARK Crashes
1. Upgrade Your Hardware
If your PC struggles to run ARK while hosting a non-dedicated server, consider upgrading your hardware. Ensure that you meet or exceed the recommended system requirements:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): NVIDIA GTX 670 2GB / AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: SSD with sufficient free space
Upgrading to a more powerful CPU, adding more RAM, or switching to an SSD can significantly improve performance and reduce crashes.
2. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Regularly check for updates to your GPU drivers from the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD). Updating your drivers can improve compatibility with ARK and reduce the likelihood of crashes.
3. Verify Game Files on Steam
Steam offers a built-in feature to verify the integrity of your game files. This process checks for missing or corrupt files and replaces them automatically:
- Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
- Right-click on ARK: Survival Evolved and select “Properties.”
- Go to the “Local Files” tab and click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files.”
- Wait for the process, and then try launching the game again.
4. Manage Mods Carefully
Disable all mods and try hosting a non-dedicated server to see if the crashes persist. If the game runs smoothly, re-enable your mods one by one to identify the problematic mod. Ensure that all your mods are up-to-date and compatible with the current version of ARK.
5. Monitor and Control Temperatures
Use a hardware monitoring tool like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to keep an eye on your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing ARK. If you notice that your components are overheating, consider improving your PC’s cooling solution:
- Clean dust from fans and heatsinks.
- Add additional case fans.
- Reapply thermal paste to your CPU.
- Adjust fan curves for more aggressive cooling.
6. Increase Virtual Memory
To avoid running out of virtual memory, you can increase the size of your paging file:
- Right-click on “This PC” and select “Properties.”
- Click on “Advanced system settings” & go to the “Advanced” tab.
- Under “Performance,” click on “Settings.”
- Go to the “Advanced” tab & click “Change” under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
- Select your system drive (usually C:) and choose “Custom size.”
- Set the initial size to 1.5 times your RAM & the maximum size to 3 times your RAM.
- Click “Set” & then “OK” to save the changes.
7. Close Background Applications
Before launching ARK, close unnecessary background applications that may consume system resources or interfere with the game. You can use the Task Manager to end non-essential processes:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the “Processes” tab.
- Right-click on any non-essential process and select “End Task.”
8. Adjust In-Game Settings
Lowering your in-game graphics settings can reduce the strain on your hardware and prevent crashes. Consider adjusting the following settings:
- Resolution: Lower the resolution to match your monitor’s native resolution or lower.
- Texture Quality: Set to “Medium” or “Low.”
- View Distance: Set to “Medium” or “Low.”
- Anti-Aliasing: Disable or set to “Low.”
- Post Processing: Set to “Low.”
Conclusion
ARK Crashes when hosting non dedicated server PC: Survival Evolved on PC can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with its challenges. Crashes can be caused by various factors, from hardware limitations to software conflicts. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you can reduce the likelihood of crashes and enjoy a more stable gaming experience. Remember to keep your system updated, monitor your hardware’s performance, and manage mods carefully to ensure smooth gameplay.