How to Add Workshop Mods to an ARK Server

To add ARK server mods on ARK: Survival Evolved, copy each mod's ID from its Steam Workshop page, list the IDs in ActiveMods under [ServerSettings] in GameUserSettings.ini, and restart. With the -automanagedmods launch option the server downloads and updates them by itself; the IDs also go in Game.ini under [ModInstaller].

This guide explains where to find mod IDs, the two settings that make mods work, load order, custom maps, and how to add or remove mods on a server that people already play on.

Step zero: find the mod ID

Every Workshop mod has a number. Open the mod's page in the Steam Workshop for ARK: Survival Evolved and look at the address bar: the ID is the number after ?id=. Write each ID down with the mod's name, because the server files only show numbers and you will forget which is which.

The two settings behind ARK server mods

The ARK Wiki's server configuration page describes two pieces that work together:

In short: ActiveMods turns mods on, and -automanagedmods with [ModInstaller] gets the files onto the server. Both files are in ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ (or WindowsServer\ on Windows).

How to install Workshop mods on your ARK server

1. Make a backup. On TheGameHosting, open your server in the panel, go to Backups and create one. Mods change the save, so this is your way back.
2. Stop the server from Console.
3. Open Files and go to ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/.
4. Edit GameUserSettings.ini. Under [ServerSettings], add or change the line ActiveMods= with your IDs, comma-separated with no spaces.
5. Edit Game.ini. Add a [ModInstaller] section with one ModIDS= line per mod.
6. Check the Startup tab to see whether -automanagedmods is part of the launch line. If you cannot tell, or the server does not download the mods, write to us in the chat and we will check it with you.
7. Start the server and watch Console. The first start with new mods takes longer, because the files are downloaded before the world loads.
8. Join and confirm the mod content is there, for example a new item in the crafting menu.

[ServerSettings]
ActiveMods=731604991,1404697612,889745138

[ModInstaller]
ModIDS=731604991
ModIDS=1404697612
ModIDS=889745138

The IDs above are only an example of the format; use the ones from the mods you picked. Keep the same IDs in both files, so every active mod is also downloaded and kept up to date.

Load order matters

The wiki is explicit: priority is in descending order, so the left-most ID in ActiveMods has the highest priority. When two mods change the same thing, such as a stack size or a creature's stats, the one further left wins.

• Put core or library mods that others depend on where their authors say. Many mod pages state the order they expect.
• Put mods that should override others, such as a stack-size mod, to the left of the ones they change.
• Add mods one or two at a time. If the server fails to start after a change, you know which mod to look at.

Custom maps from the Workshop

Some maps are Workshop mods too. For those, the wiki describes -MapModID: the server loads the map by its mod ID instead of a map name in the launch line. You still list the map's ID in ActiveMods. Because the map is set at launch, check the Startup tab or ask us in the chat before you switch. Changing map usually goes together with a new season, so read how to wipe an ARK server first.

What your players need to do

Players need the same mods as the server. The smoothest way is to share the list of Workshop links in your Discord and ask everyone to subscribe before they join, so Steam has the files ready. After a mod update, players may need to wait for Steam to update their copy before they can connect again.

Keep the list short at the start. Every mod adds download time for new players and memory use on the server, and a popular server with fifty mods is hard to keep stable after every game update.

Adding or removing mods on a live server

• Adding a mod to a running world is usually fine. Back up, add the ID to both files, restart.
• Removing a mod can remove everything it added: creatures, structures, items. Players may lose tames or bases built with that mod. Announce it, back up, and consider waiting for the next wipe.
• Updates from a mod author arrive on the next restart when the server manages mods automatically. A daily restart in Schedules keeps everyone on the same version.

Once mods are in, tune the rest of the server with our ARK server settings guide, and use ARK server admin commands to test mod items in game.

Run your modded ARK server on real hardware

Modded ARK is one of the heaviest games to host. An ARK: Survival Evolved server from TheGameHosting runs on AMD Ryzen 9950X / 7950X3D CPUs up to 5.7 GHz, DDR5 and NVMe storage, online 24/7 and with DDoS protection included. You edit GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini in the Files editor, take Backups before every mod change and plan restarts in Schedules. You add mods with the steps above from Files and Startup, and our 24/7 support can help if something does not load.

ARK: Survival Evolved needs at least 8 GB of RAM, from $6.96 per month, and more if you run many mods. See the plans and pricing and use the code FULL2026 for 15% off for life.

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