How to update my ARK server?

You never install ARK updates by hand. The server checks Steam for a new version while it boots, so updating is just a restart.

1Restart Your Server

• Log in to your game panel, open your ARK server and press Restart on the Console page (or Stop, then Start).
• Watch the console during boot: if an update is available it downloads before the server comes online. ARK patches are often large, so a big update can add several minutes to the start time. Do not press Stop halfway through a download.

2Cannot Join After a Game Update?

• If Steam just updated your ARK client, your server is probably still on the old version and the game will refuse to connect or hide the server in the browser. Restart the server so it picks up the same update.
• The other way around, if the server updated first, update your local game through Steam.

3If an Update Gets Stuck

• Sometimes a botched download leaves the server unable to start. Create a manual backup if you can, then reinstall the server files: see option B in how to reset your ARK server. The reinstall downloads a fresh copy of the server files.

Finished

Your server is up to date. Restarting regularly (or on a schedule via the Schedules page) keeps it current without you thinking about it.