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How to Change the Server Name in Ark Survival Evolved

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How to Change the Server Name in Ark Survival Evolved

Renaming your Ark Survival Evolved server makes it easier for players to find it in the server list and gives your community a clear identity. This guide covers the exact steps for dedicated servers (SteamCMD, ASM, or manually configured), Nitrado and other hosting panels, and non-dedicated sessions. You’ll need access to your server’s configuration files or your hosting control panel, and a way to restart the server so the change takes effect.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the server’s Game.ini or GameUserSettings.ini file (for dedicated servers) or your hosting panel’s configuration editor.
  • The ability to restart the server (via your panel, command line, or Steam).
  • For non-dedicated sessions: the ability to pause the game and change settings in the pause menu.

Step-by-Step

For a Dedicated Server (Manual or SteamCMD)

  1. Locate your server files. If you’re using SteamCMD, the files are usually in a folder like steamapps/common/ARK Survival Evolved Dedicated Server/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ (or WindowsServer on Windows). If you’re using a tool like Ark Server Manager, the path is shown in its settings.
  2. Open the correct file. The server name is stored in GameUserSettings.ini. Open it with a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code.
  3. Find the [ServerSettings] section. Scroll down until you see a line that starts with SessionName=. If it doesn’t exist, you can add it under that section.
  4. Change the value. Replace the text after the equals sign with your new server name. For example: SessionName=My Awesome Ark Server. Make sure there are no extra spaces around the equals sign.
  5. Save the file. Save the changes and close the editor.
  6. Restart the server. Stop the server process and start it again. The new name will appear in the server list after it finishes loading (usually a few minutes).

For a Hosted Server (Nitrado, G-Portal, etc.)

  1. Log into your hosting panel. Go to your provider’s website and access your server’s control panel.
  2. Find the configuration editor. Look for a tab called “Config Files,” “Settings,” or “General.” In Nitrado, it’s under “Settings” then “General.”
  3. Edit the server name. Look for a field labeled “Server Name” or “Session Name.” Enter your new name.
  4. Save and restart. Click “Save Settings” and then restart the server from the panel. The panel will apply the change automatically.

For a Non-Dedicated Session (Play with Friends)

  1. Pause the game. Press Esc (or the pause button on console) to open the pause menu.
  2. Select “Host Local Session.” This is the same menu you used to start the session.
  3. Change the “Session Name” field. Type the new name you want.
  4. Apply and resume. Click “Accept” or “Apply,” then close the menu. The change takes effect immediately for anyone who joins from your session list.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing the wrong file. Some server setups have multiple .ini files. Make sure you’re editing GameUserSettings.ini, not Game.ini (the latter is for game rules, not the server name).
  • Forgetting to restart. The server name is read only when the server starts. If you don’t restart, the old name stays.
  • Using special characters. While Ark supports many characters, some symbols like % or & can cause issues with the server list. Stick to letters, numbers, and spaces.
  • Leaving a space before the name. If you type SessionName= MyServer, the leading space becomes part of the name, which can confuse players.

Tips

  • Keep it short. The server list only shows a limited number of characters. A concise name is more readable.
  • Include server type. Adding tags like “[PVP]” or “[PvE]” at the beginning helps players find your server faster.
  • Back up your config. Before making changes, copy the original GameUserSettings.ini to a safe place. If something goes wrong, you can restore it.
  • Use a unique name. If your server name is too common, players might confuse it with another. Add a unique word or number.

Troubleshooting

The server still shows the old name after restart. Double-check that you saved the file correctly and that you’re editing the right file. Also, make sure the server fully stopped before restarting; sometimes a process lingers. If you’re using a hosting panel, confirm that the panel’s own settings (like “Server Name” in the general settings) aren’t overriding the .ini file.

The server doesn’t appear in the list at all. This can happen if the name contains invalid characters or if the server is still starting up. Wait a few minutes, then refresh the list. If it still doesn’t show, check your server’s port and firewall settings.

Players see a different name than what you set. If you have a mod or plugin that changes the server name (like a cross-server chat mod), it might override the config. Check your mod settings.

You can’t edit the file because it’s read-only. On some systems, the config files are set to read-only. Right-click the file, go to Properties, and uncheck “Read-only” before editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the server name without restarting?

No, the server name is loaded at startup. You must restart the server for the change to take effect.

Will changing the server name reset my server’s settings or world?

No, changing the server name only affects the display name. All other settings, player data, and world saves remain untouched.

Can I use spaces and punctuation in the server name?

Yes, spaces and most punctuation are fine. Avoid using the equals sign (=) or semicolons (;) as they can break the config file.

Why does my server name appear with a suffix like “(v351.1)”?

That’s the game version, not part of the server name. It’s automatically appended by the game and cannot be removed.

I use Ark Server Manager (ASM). Where do I change the name?

In ASM, go to the “Server Settings” tab, then “General.” You’ll find a field for “Server Name.” Change it there and click “Save” — ASM will update the config file for you.

My server is on a cluster. Does each server need a unique name?

Yes, each server in a cluster should have a unique name so players can tell them apart. The cluster ID is separate and should be the same across all servers.

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