The quickest way to invite someone to your non-dedicated server

To invite a friend to your non-dedicated ARK server, you need to send them your Steam ID and the server password (if you set one), then have them join through the in-game server browser or by connecting directly via console command. Non-dedicated servers run on your own machine while you play, so there's no separate admin panel or website — everything happens through ARK itself or Steam's friend system.

The method you use depends on whether your friend is on your Steam friends list and whether you want to make the process as simple as possible. The easiest route for most people is the Steam join feature, which lets friends click a button to jump into your game without typing anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-dedicated servers run on your PC while you play, so your friend can only join when you're actively in the game.
  • The simplest invitation method is through Steam: your friend clicks "Join Game" on your profile, and ARK launches with your server selected.
  • If Steam join doesn't work, your friend can manually search for your server in the in-game browser using your Steam ID or connect via console command with your IP address.
  • You can set a password to keep the server private, but you'll need to share that password separately with anyone you invite.
  • Your friend's connection speed and your PC's upload speed affect how smoothly they join and play.

Using Steam's join feature (the easiest method)

If your friend is already on your Steam friends list, they can join your server in two clicks. While you're playing ARK on your non-dedicated server, your friend opens your Steam profile, clicks "View Game Info" under your name, and selects "Join Game." ARK will launch on their machine and connect directly to your server.

This method requires nothing from you except being in the game — Steam handles the connection automatically. Your friend doesn't need your IP address, Steam ID, or password. However, this only works if you're currently playing; once you close ARK, the server shuts down and they can't join.

Finding your server in the in-game browser

If Steam join doesn't work or your friend prefers to search manually, they can find your server through ARK's in-game server browser. Your friend needs to know your Steam ID, which is a long number unique to your account. You can find your Steam ID by visiting your Steam profile, right-clicking your name, and selecting "Copy Steam ID" — it's a 17-digit number.

Your friend opens ARK, goes to the main menu, selects "Join ARK," then searches for servers. They can filter by "Player Name" or "Server Name" and search for your Steam ID or a custom server name you've set. Once they find your server in the list, they click it and select "Connect." If you've set a password, they'll be prompted to enter it at this point.

Connecting directly via console command

The most reliable method, especially if the browser search isn't finding your server, is a direct console connection. Your friend needs your IP address and the port number your server is running on (the default is 7777, but you may have changed it in your server settings).

Your friend launches ARK, presses the backtick key (`) to open the console, and types: open [your IP address]:[port number]. For example, if your IP is 192.168.1.100 and you're using the default port, they would type: open 192.168.1.100:7777. They press Enter, and ARK connects directly to your server. If you've set a password, they'll be asked for it after connecting.

To find your IP address, you can visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com while connected to the internet, or check your router settings. Use your external IP address, not your local network IP, if your friend is joining from outside your home network.

Setting a password to keep your server private

If you want to restrict who can join, you can set a server password in your ARK settings. Open ARK, start your non-dedicated server, pause the game, go to Settings, then Server Options, and look for "Server Password." Enter a password and save. From that point on, anyone trying to join will need to enter that password.

Share the password only with people you want to invite — it's the only access control you have on a non-dedicated server. There's no way to remove someone once they're in the game except by kicking them manually or shutting down the server, so choose your password recipients carefully.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your friend can't find or connect to your server, the most common cause is that your PC isn't port-forwarding correctly or your firewall is blocking the connection. ARK needs to send data through specific ports (7777 and 27015 by default). Check that your Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus isn't blocking ARK, and consider adding an exception for it.

If your friend is joining from outside your home network and the direct IP method isn't working, you may need to set up port forwarding on your router. This tells your router to send incoming traffic on port 7777 to your PC. The steps vary by router model, but most router admin pages have a "Port Forwarding" section. This is more technical, so if you're not comfortable with it, stick to the Steam join method or ask your friend to join from the same network.

Another common issue is that your PC's upload speed is too slow to support multiple players smoothly. Non-dedicated servers run on your machine, so your internet connection has to handle both your gameplay and your friend's data. If you have fewer than 5 Mbps upload speed, you may experience lag or disconnections when someone else joins.

Understanding non-dedicated server limits

Non-dedicated servers are designed for small groups, not large communities. ARK limits non-dedicated servers to a maximum of 4 players (including you) on most platforms, though this can vary. The server also shuts down completely when you close the game, so your friend can't log in and play while you're offline.

If you want a server that runs 24/7 or supports more players, you'd need to rent a dedicated server from a hosting provider like Nitrado or G-Portal. Those are paid services, but they give you a persistent world that stays online whether you're playing or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my friend join if I'm not playing?

No. Non-dedicated servers only exist while you're actively in the game. Once you close ARK, the server shuts down and nobody can connect. If you want a server that runs all the time, you need to rent a dedicated server from a hosting provider.

What's the difference between my Steam ID and my IP address?

Your Steam ID is a number tied to your Steam account and is the same everywhere. Your IP address is assigned by your internet provider and changes periodically. For inviting friends, Steam ID is easier because it doesn't change, but IP address works too if you know it.

Do I need to do anything special to set up a non-dedicated server?

No. When you start a new game in ARK and select "Non-Dedicated Server," it automatically creates one. You can adjust settings like difficulty, player count, and password before you start, but there's no separate setup process or admin panel to configure.

Why does my friend get disconnected after a few minutes?

This usually means your internet connection is dropping packets or your PC is struggling to handle the server load. Check that nothing else on your network is using a lot of bandwidth, restart your router, and make sure ARK isn't being throttled by your firewall or antivirus software.

Can I invite more than 4 people to my non-dedicated server?

The default limit is 4 players total, including you. You can increase this in the server settings before you start the game, but performance will degrade significantly with more players, especially if your internet upload speed is limited. Most people keep it at 4 for the best experience.