Set up an automatic server restart for your ARK: Survival Evolved server with a Scheduled Restart task in the control panel. This example restarts the server every 6 hours, every day.
Regular restarts keep your ARK Survival Evolved server running smoothly, especially with mods and busy maps.
How to set up an automatic server restart on ARK
- Go to the Scheduled Tasks tab in your Control Panel.
- Create a new Schedule Task and select the Scheduled Restart option.
- Give it a Name of your choice, 6 Hour Restart for example.
- Select the date/hour you want the next restart to happen (*). See server time below.
- Select Recur Every 1 Days.
- Select the Repeat task option.
- Select Repeat Every 6 hours.
- Select For 24 Hours.
- Save the task.
In this example it will restart your server every 6 hours. If you want any other number of hours, just change Repeat Every 6 hours to any number of hours of your choice.
Server time (*)
(*) You can view the current server hour when you create the task: the hour reporting in the hour field should be the current server hour + 10 minutes margin. Base yourself on that hour against your local hour to set up the next hour you want your server to be restarted.
Example: the task opens with 14:10 and it's 15:00 where you are. The server is 1 hour behind you, so for a restart at 06:00 your time, enter 05:00.
ARK restart questions
How do I set up an automatic server restart on ARK?
In the control panel, open Scheduled Tasks, create a new task with the Scheduled Restart option, pick the next restart time, set Recur Every to 1 Days, tick Repeat task, set Repeat Every to 6 hours (or any number you like) and For to 24 Hours, then save.
How often does ARK autosave?
By default every 15 minutes. The interval is the AutoSavePeriodMinutes setting in the [ServerSettings] section of GameUserSettings.ini. You can also add a scheduled save task: see how to add a scheduled auto save.
Can players get a warning before the restart?
Yes. Set up restart messages as well: see automatic graceful restart and messages on your ARK server.
Why does my server restart at the wrong hour?
The task runs on the server's clock, which may be in a different time zone from you. When you create the task, the time filled in is the current server hour plus about 10 minutes: compare it with your own clock and set the restart time from that.
Want your own ARK server? See ARK: Survival Evolved server hosting.
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