Set up automatic ARK server updates with a Steam Update scheduled task in the GTX control panel. This example updates your ARK: Survival Evolved server every 12 hours, every day.
When ARK gets a patch, players can't join a server that is still on the old version. An automatic update task keeps your ARK Survival Evolved server on the latest version without you having to log in.
How to set up automatic ARK server updates
- Go to the Scheduled Tasks tab in your Control Panel (called Schedule Tasks in older guides).
- Create a new Schedule Task and select the Steam Update option.
- Give it a Name of your choice, 12 Hour Update for example.
- Select the date/hour you want the next update to happen (*). See server time below.
- Select Recur Every 1 Days.
- Select the Repeat task option.
- Select Repeat Every 12 hours.
- Select For 24 Hours.
- Change to the Advanced Options tab on top and configure the update options as you desire for them to happen.
- Save the task.
In this example it will update your server every 12 hours. If you want any other number of hours, just change Repeat Every 12 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 updated.
Example: the task opens with 14:10 and it's 15:00 where you are. The server is 1 hour behind you, so for an update at 06:00 your time, enter 05:00.
ARK server update questions
How do I set up automatic ARK server updates?
In the control panel, open Scheduled Tasks and create a new task with the Steam Update option. Pick the next update time, set Recur Every to 1 Days, tick Repeat task, set Repeat Every to 12 hours (or any number you like) and For to 24 Hours, set your update options on the Advanced Options tab, then save.
Does this also update my ARK mods?
This task runs a Steam update of the server. For Workshop mods, add a separate mod update task: see how to set up automatic mods updates for your ARK server.
Why did my update run at the wrong hour?
Scheduled tasks run 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 update time from that.
Want your own ARK server? See ARK: Survival Evolved server hosting.
Related guides
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