Can I add mods to an ARK: Survival Evolved server?

ARK mods are listed in GameUserSettings.ini with ActiveMods, and the server has to download each mod's files from the Steam Workshop. On a Linux server like Schokr's, automatic mod downloading is known to be unreliable, so mods take more care than on a home PC.

Before you start: costs#

Mods add to ARK's already heavy requirements:

• Disk: many ARK mods are hundreds of megabytes to several gigabytes. ARK itself already needs more than the free package's 10 GB.
• Memory: mods that add creatures, structures or maps increase memory use, often a lot.
• Startup time: each mod lengthens boot and update times.

Start with no mods, confirm the server is stable, then add one or two lightweight mods at a time.

How ARK loads mods#

Two pieces are involved:

1. The mod list. In ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini, under [ServerSettings]:

[ServerSettings]
ActiveMods=111111111,222222222

Replace the example numbers with real Workshop IDs, which you'll find in the mod's Workshop page URL. Order matters: mods earlier in the list take priority when two mods change the same thing.

2. The mod files. Each mod must exist in ShooterGame/Content/Mods/ on the server, as a folder named after the ID plus a matching .mod file. ARK can try to download them itself when started with the -automanagedmods launch option, but on Linux this often fails or downloads incomplete files.

Stop the server before editing the ini, as ARK may overwrite it on shutdown.

Your options#

Check the Startup settings. If your server's Startup settings include a mod list or mod download option, use it. That's the simplest route.

Add launch options if supported. If the template lets you add extra launch arguments, -automanagedmods together with ActiveMods is the official approach. Watch the console on start for download errors.

Upload mods manually. Advanced users sometimes download mod files with SteamCMD on their own computer and upload the converted files into ShooterGame/Content/Mods/. Workshop mod downloads aren't directly in the server-ready format, so this needs extra tools and steps, and it isn't something we can walk through reliably here.

If none of these work for your mod, ask in the Schokr Discord before spending credits on extra resources.

Clients#

Players download mods automatically from the Steam Workshop when they join, as long as the server is running them. Version mismatches between the server and the latest Workshop version can block joining, so keep server mods updated.

Removing a mod#

1. Stop the server.
2. Remove its ID from ActiveMods.
3. Start the server.

Removing a mod deletes anything that came from it in your world: dinos, structures and items. Take a backup or snapshot first.

Still stuck?#

Mods on Linux ARK servers are a common source of trouble. Share your mod list and console errors in the Schokr Discord.