ARK Survival Evolved Server Ports & Port Forwarding Guide

To host an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server, you must forward a specific set of TCP and UDP ports on your router so outside players can connect. This guide explains the exact port numbers, how to configure port forwarding on your router, and how to troubleshoot common connection issues.

Why ARK Needs Port Forwarding

When you run a dedicated ARK server on your home network, it sits behind your router’s Network Address Translation (NAT). The router assigns your server a private IP address (like 192.168.1.100) that outside players cannot reach directly. Port forwarding tells the router: “Any traffic coming to your public IP on these specific ports should be sent to that private IP.â€� Without this rule, incoming connection attempts are dropped, and players see “Connection timed outâ€� or “Unable to query server info.â€�

ARK uses three separate ports for different functions. The main game traffic uses the server port (default UDP 7777). The query port (default UDP 27015) handles server listings and the in-game browser. The RCON port (default TCP 27020) allows remote administration commands. You must forward all three for a fully functional server.

Default ARK Server Ports

• Game Port: UDP 7777 – carries all gameplay data between clients and server.
• Query Port: UDP 27015 – responds to server browser pings and player list requests.
• RCON Port: TCP 27020 – used for remote console commands (optional but recommended).
• Steam Port (if using Steam): UDP 27015 – often the same as the query port, but some setups use a separate port for Steam’s matchmaking.

These are the defaults. You can change them in the server’s GameUserSettings.ini file, but if you do, you must forward the new ports instead. Most hosting guides recommend keeping the defaults for simplicity.

How to Find Your Server’s Local IP Address

Before configuring your router, you need the private IP of your ARK server machine. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. Look for the “IPv4 Addressâ€� under your active network adapter – it usually looks like 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x. On Linux, use ip addr or ifconfig.

You should also assign a static IP to your server so the port forwarding rule doesn’t break when the DHCP lease expires. On Windows, go to Network Settings → Change adapter options → right-click your adapter → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 → Properties and enter the IP manually. On Linux, edit your netplan or /etc/network/interfaces file.

Step-by-Step Port Forwarding Setup

1. Log into your router’s admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, or check your router’s label).
2. Find the “Port Forwarding� or “Virtual Server� section (often under Advanced or NAT).
3. Create a new rule for each port. For each rule, enter:
   • Service Name: ARK Game, ARK Query, ARK RCON
   • Protocol: UDP for 7777 and 27015, TCP for 27020
   • External Port: the port number (e.g., 7777)
   • Internal Port: the same port number (unless you are using a different internal port)
   • Internal IP: your server’s static IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
4. Save the rule and repeat for the other two ports.
5. Reboot the router and the server, then test.

Some routers allow a range of ports. If so, you can forward UDP 7777-7777 and UDP 27015-27015 as single-port rules, or combine them into a range if your router supports it. RCON is TCP only.

Testing Your Port Forwarding

After setting up the rules, verify they work. On the server machine, check that the ARK server is running and listening on the ports. On Windows, use netstat -an | findstr 7777. On Linux, use ss -ulpn | grep 7777.

From an external network (like a mobile hotspot), use an online port checker tool and enter your public IP and the port. If it says “open,â€� your forwarding is correct. If it says “closedâ€� or “filtered,â€� double-check the IP and protocol. Also ensure your server’s firewall allows inbound traffic on those ports – Windows Firewall may block them by default.

Common Problems and Fixes

• Port still closed after forwarding: Check that the server’s internal IP matches the rule exactly. Also, some routers require you to set the external port to the same as internal, or they have a separate “triggerâ€� rule.
• Players can’t see server in browser: The query port (27015) is likely not forwarded. Also, Steam’s server browser may require the server to be “Steam-validatedâ€� – add -servergamelog and -UseBattlEye flags correctly.
• Connection timed out: Your ISP might be blocking inbound traffic, or your router’s firewall is still blocking. Try temporarily disabling the router firewall (not recommended for long-term) to test.
• RCON not working: Ensure the RCON port is TCP, and that you have enabled RCON in the server config (RCONEnabled=True in GameUserSettings.ini).
• Double NAT: If your modem is also a router, you may need to put it in bridge mode or forward ports on both devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default ARK server port?

The default game port is UDP 7777. The query port is UDP 27015, and RCON is TCP 27020. These are the ports you forward for a standard dedicated server.

Do I need to forward both TCP and UDP?

Yes, for ARK you need UDP for the game and query ports, and TCP for RCON. If you don’t use RCON, you can skip TCP, but the game and query must be UDP.

Can I change the ports from the defaults?

Yes, you can change them in GameUserSettings.ini under [ServerSettings] with Port=, QueryPort=, and RCONPort=. If you change them, forward the new ports.

Why can I connect locally but not from the internet?

Local connections bypass your router’s NAT, so port forwarding doesn’t matter. If external players can’t connect, the forwarding rule is misconfigured, your firewall is blocking, or your ISP is blocking inbound traffic.

What is the difference between a dedicated server and a non-dedicated session?

A dedicated server runs independently and allows up to 70 players (with modifications). A non-dedicated session is hosted by a player and has a tether limit – players can’t go too far from the host. Port forwarding is only needed for dedicated servers or if you want others to join a non-dedicated session over the internet.

Does port forwarding work with a VPN or cloud hosting?

If you host on a cloud VPS, you don’t need port forwarding on your local router – you configure the cloud provider’s firewall instead. If you use a VPN like Hamachi, you don’t need port forwarding either, but players must join via the VPN IP.

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in port | Server Port | 7777 | 7777 | 0
in query | Query Port | 27015 | 27015 | 0
in rcon | RCON Port | 27020 | 27020 | 0
out total | Total Ports to Forward | 3 | 0 | 0
out range | Port Range | min(port, query, rcon) - max(port, query, rcon) | 0 | 0