How to Enable and Configure a Password on Your ARK: Survival Ascended Server

Adding a password to your ARK: Survival Ascended server is a quick way to control who can join. Once a password is set, any player who tries to connect will need to enter it before they can get in. This is useful for private sessions, whitelisted communities, or simply keeping strangers out while you play with friends.

This guide will walk you through setting a server password using the RiverHosting panel. No file editing is required.

Before you start

• Make sure you are logged in to the RiverHosting panel.
• Select your ARK: Survival Ascended server from the server list.
• You will need to restart your server after saving the change for it to take effect.

1. Open the Server Config page

The Server Config page is where you manage the most common settings for your ARK: Survival Ascended server, including the join password.

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel and open your ARK: Survival Ascended server.
2. In the left-hand menu, click Server Config.
3. Look for the server password field. It is usually labelled something like Server Password or Join Password.
4. Type the password you want players to use when joining.
5. Click Save to apply the change.

2. Restart your server to apply the password

The password will not take effect until the server restarts. You can do this directly from the panel.

1. In the left-hand menu, click Console.
2. Click the Restart button at the top of the console page.
3. Wait for the server to finish starting up. You will see a message in the console when it is ready.

3. Share the password with your players

Your players will need both the server address and the password to connect. You can find your server's connection details on the Network page.

1. In the left-hand menu, click Network.
2. Note down the IP address and game port shown there.
3. Share these details along with your password with the players you want to invite.

4. Remove or change the password later

You can update or remove the password at any time from the same Server Config page.

1. Go back to Server Config in the left-hand menu.
2. Clear the password field to remove the password entirely, or type a new one to replace it.
3. Click Save and then restart the server again from the Console page.

Troubleshooting

• The password prompt is not appearing for players. Make sure you restarted the server after saving. Changes to the Server Config do not apply until the server has fully restarted.
• Players say the password is not working. Double-check for accidental spaces at the start or end of the password in the Server Config field. Clear the field, retype the password carefully, save, and restart.
• The Server Config page is not saving. Try refreshing the panel page and entering the password again. If the issue continues, contact RiverHosting support.
• You forgot your password. Go to Server Config, clear the password field, type a new one, save, and restart the server.

Need help?

If you run into any issues setting up a password on your ARK: Survival Ascended server, the RiverHosting support team is ready to help.