If your ARK Survival Ascended server starts but does not appear in the in-game browser, work through the server process, firewall, ports, and browser filters in order.
Do not change several things at once. Make one change, restart the server, then test again.
Quick checks
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Server process | The batch file should stay open and continue logging. If it closes, the server has crashed or the launch line is wrong. |
| Server name | Search for the exact ?SessionName= value from your start batch file. |
| Browser filters | Use the Unofficial list, clear filters you do not need, and enable password-protected servers if your server has a join password. |
| Firewall | Open the same game and query ports used in your batch file. |
| Query port | The ?QueryPort= value must match the UDP firewall rule. |
| Public IP | Players need the VPS public IP, not the internal Windows address. |
| Mods | Remove new mod IDs temporarily if the server stopped appearing after a mod change. |
| Startup time | Wait a few minutes after startup before searching again. |
Useful follow-up guides
- How to create a start batch file for an ARK Survival Ascended server
- How to open Windows Firewall ports for an ARK Survival Ascended server
- How to change your ARK Survival Ascended server name and passwords
- How to join your ARK Survival Ascended server
If the server still does not show after these checks, copy the latest startup log lines and include your start batch file contents when you ask for help.
