🎮 Game Error Codes What it means & how to fix it

ARK Can't Join Session or Connection Timeout? Here's the Fix

'ARK: Survival Evolved can't join session' and 'connection timeout' almost always trace to a mod mismatch, BattlEye, or the notoriously flaky server browser. The fastest fix in 2026: subscribe to the exact same mods (and load order) as the server, verify game files, and connect by direct IP through Steam's server list rather than the in-game browser.

ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server — exact ports, config & save path

Ports to forward (UDP)
7777, 7778, 27015
Port breakdown
7777 game, 7778 raw (game+1), 27015 steam query
Server config file
ShooterGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\GameUserSettings.ini
Save path
ShooterGame\Saved\SavedArks
Common cause of 'cannot find session'
Only 7777 forwarded — ARK needs 7778 (RawSocketPort = game+1) open too or it never lists

Last verified: September 2026

Error codes

Connection Timeout The client can't complete the handshake within the timeout window

Cause: Server is downloading/restarting, a mod is still downloading, or the browser hit a stale entry.

Fix:
  1. Wait 2-3 minutes and retry — the server may be restarting or you're still downloading its mods.
  2. Verify game files (Steam > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity).
  3. Subscribe to the server's full mod list in the correct order before joining.
  4. Add the server to Steam > View > Servers > Favorites by IP:QueryPort and connect from there.
BattlEye: client not responding / kicked BattlEye failed to initialise or verify the client

Cause: BattlEye service disabled, corrupted, or blocked by antivirus.

Fix:
  1. Reinstall BattlEye: run ARK's install folder > BattlEye > Install BattlEye service.
  2. Whitelist ARK and BattlEye in your antivirus/firewall.
  3. Launch ARK with BattlEye enabled (unofficial PvP servers require it).

Fixes that work for most ARK: Survival Evolved errors

  1. Match the server's mods AND load order exactly — one missing/extra mod blocks the join.
  2. Verify game files after every ARK update.
  3. Connect by direct IP via Steam's Favorites list, not the in-game session browser.
  4. Reinstall/whitelist BattlEye if you're kicked on connect.
  5. Flush DNS (ipconfig /flushdns) and restart Steam if sessions won't list.
  6. After a patch, wait until the server owner updates the server to the same build.

FAQ

Why does ARK say connection timeout when I try to join a server?

The server is usually restarting or you're still downloading its mods, or the in-game browser served a stale entry. Verify files, subscribe to the full mod list, and connect by direct IP from Steam's Favorites list.

How do I connect to an ARK server by direct IP?

In Steam, View > Servers > Favorites > Add a server by IP:QueryPort (usually the game port +1, e.g. 27015). Then join from the Favorites tab, which is far more reliable than the in-game session list.

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