ARK: Survival Ascended server: friends can't join?

Quick answer

An ARK: Survival Ascended server takes players on UDP 7777, the game port. The ARK wiki also lists UDP 7778 (peer port), UDP 27015 (query, for Steam's server browser only) and optional TCP 27020 (RCON). The server doesn't support UPnP, so you have to forward manually. Common causes of failed joins: 7777 isn't forwarded as UDP, the port was set with ?Port= (ASA ignores it and stays on 7777), the server is hidden from consoles by -ServerPlatform, players are on a different version or mod set, or your ISP uses CGNAT.

Ports

• 7777 UDP: Game port. Players connect here
• 7778 UDP: Peer port (game port + 1)
• 27015 UDP: Query port, for Steam's server browser only
• 27020 TCP: RCON. Optional; don't open it to everyone

How to fix it, step by step

1. Install and launch correctly. Download the server with SteamCMD (app 2430930). ASA needs Windows or a Windows-like environment. Set the port with -port=7777, not ?Port=, and put ?ServerAdminPassword= last in the ? options, or the rest of the line becomes part of the password.
2. Forward UDP 7777. Reserve the server PC's local IP and forward UDP 7777 to it. Add 7778 and 27015 (UDP) if you want the Steam browser to list it. The server has no UPnP support.
3. Allow the server through the firewall. In Windows Firewall (wf.msc), add an inbound UDP rule for 7777-7778 and 27015, and a TCP rule for 27020 only if you use RCON.
4. Windows Server: install the revocation list. On Windows Server editions, ASA servers aren't visible until you install Amazon's r2m02.crl certificate revocation list into Trusted Root Certification Authorities. Restart afterwards.
5. Join with the game port. PC players can press ~ and type open IP:7777. Use the game port, not the query port. Console players can't join by IP; they search the Unofficial list by server name.
6. Let consoles in. -ServerPlatform= controls which platforms can see the server. -ServerPlatform=PC hides it from Xbox and PlayStation; use ALL for full crossplay. PC-only mods also lock consoles out.
7. Match versions and mods, then check CGNAT. Update the server and clients after patches and re-download mods so IDs and versions match. If everything is forwarded and outside joins still time out, see the CGNAT guide.

Server listed but nobody can join

Listing works over outgoing connections, so a server can appear in the list while incoming traffic is blocked. If it shows up but every join times out, check that UDP 7777 is forwarded (as UDP, to the right PC), allowed in the firewall, and that you aren't behind CGNAT or double NAT.

Finding your server

• Use the Unofficial tab and clear filters. The in-game list can take a while to find new servers.
• Check whether Steam's master server lists your IP: https://api.steampowered.com/ISteamApps/GetServersAtAddress/v0001?addr=<IP>.
• Clusters and multiple servers need different game, query and RCON ports for each map.

Test it from the outside

Your own Wi-Fi can't tell you whether friends can reach the server. The free Server Doctor check contacts your server once from the internet, the way the game does, and tells you the most likely cause. The same check runs in Discord with /fix.

No PC to host 24/7?

ASA servers need a lot of RAM (the ARK wiki lists roughly 7 to 12 GB for an empty map), Windows, and a PC that stays on. Behind CGNAT nobody can join. A hosted ASA server avoids all of that.

Related guides

• Rust server not showing up, or friends can't join?
• Palworld friends can't join your dedicated server?
• Friends can't join your 7 Days to Die server?
• Behind CGNAT? Host a game server without port forwarding.
• All guides

Sources: ark.wiki.gg/wiki/Dedicated_server_setup · supercraft.host/wiki/ark/asa_server_online_but_cant_join/ · twistedservers.com.au/clientarea/knowledgebase/721/How-do-I-set-up-CrossPlay.html