Non-Dedicated Server in ARK: What It Is & When to Use

In ARK: Survival Evolved, a non-dedicated server is a multiplayer session hosted directly on one player’s own gaming PC or console, rather than on a separate, always-on dedicated server machine. You start a single-player world, set it to “Non-Dedicated Multiplayer,� and up to three other players (four total on most platforms) can join you. The host’s game is the server: if the host quits, everyone is kicked; if the host travels to a different map area, all connected players are forcibly teleported with them. This is the key difference from a dedicated server, which runs independently and keeps the world alive even when no players are online.

Formula

The block above is a simple planning aid for a non-dedicated session, not an ARK mechanic. It computes:

Hours per player = Session length ÷ Number of players

Sessions per day = 24 ÷ Session length

Where:

• Session length (hours) – total time you plan to keep the world open.
• Players – total including the host (max 4 on non-dedicated).
• Hours per player – average playtime each person gets if they share equally.
• Sessions per day – how many times you could run that same session in 24 hours.

Worked Example

Using the defaults: Session length = 2 hours, Players = 4.

Hours per player = 2 ÷ 4 = 0.5 hours (30 minutes each).

Sessions per day = 24 ÷ 2 = 12 sessions.

So if four people play for two hours, each gets half an hour of active time (in theory – in practice the host is always active). The 12 sessions figure just shows the theoretical maximum if you ran back-to-back sessions all day.

How Non-Dedicated Servers Work

When you host a non-dedicated session, your machine runs both the game client and the server simulation simultaneously. This means your hardware handles double duty: rendering your screen and computing all the dinos, structures, and physics for everyone. The game automatically sets a tether distance – typically around 180 meters in ARK: Survival Evolved – which forces all players to stay within that radius of the host. If a friend wanders farther, they get a warning and are teleported back to the host after a countdown. This tether is the most criticized feature of non-dedicated play, but it exists because the host’s machine cannot stream the entire map to other players without a dedicated server process.

Player limits are hard-coded by the game: four players total on PC and consoles (including the host). Some unofficial mods or admin commands on PC can raise this, but the default is four. The host also has full admin rights by default, meaning they can use console commands, spawn items, and change settings mid-session. Other players have no admin access unless the host grants it via the “Give Admin� option in the player list.

When to Use a Non-Dedicated Server

Non-dedicated is the right choice when you want a private, cooperative experience with a small group of friends and you do not want to pay for or maintain a separate server. It is ideal for:

• Playing with 1–3 friends on a couch or LAN party.
• Testing mods, settings, or building ideas without committing to a long-term server.
• Playing through the story or a specific map with a tight-knit group.
• Quick sessions where everyone is online at the same time.

It is also the simplest way to start multiplayer: you do not need to rent a server, forward ports, or learn server configuration. You just start a single-player game, change the mode, and invite friends via the platform’s friend list or a join code.

Common Problems and Limitations

The tether distance is the biggest frustration. If you and your friends want to explore different parts of the map simultaneously, non-dedicated will not work. The host’s connection also matters: if the host has poor upload speed or a weak CPU, everyone experiences lag, rubber-banding, and longer loading times. Another issue is that the world only saves when the host saves or exits. If the host’s power goes out, you lose progress since the last save. Additionally, some game mechanics are balanced differently: on non-dedicated, the host’s tether can cause dinos to despawn if they wander too far from the host, and some bosses or caves may be impossible with more than one player due to the tether pulling players out of the arena.

A common misconception is that non-dedicated servers are “offline� or “single-player.� They are not – they are real multiplayer sessions, just with a limited range and dependency on the host. Another misconception is that you can increase the tether distance with a slider in the base game. That is false – the tether is fixed. Only mods on PC (like “Tether Distance� mods) can remove or increase it, and those require everyone to have the same mod installed.

Non-Dedicated vs. Dedicated vs. Single-Player

To choose correctly, compare the three modes:

• Single-player: Only you play, no tether, world saves when you exit, and you can pause. Best for solo play.
• Non-dedicated: 2–4 players, host’s world, tether, no pause, host must be online. Best for small, short-term groups.
• Dedicated: Runs on a separate machine or rented server, supports many players, no tether, world runs 24/7, and you can have admins. Best for large groups, public servers, or long-term persistence.

If you need more than four players, or if you want players to log in at different times, you must use a dedicated server. Non-dedicated is simply not built for that.

How to Set Up a Non-Dedicated Server

Setting one up is straightforward:

1. Launch ARK: Survival Evolved.
2. Select “Host/Local� from the main menu.
3. Choose “Play Single Player� or “Play Non-Dedicated� – the latter is what you want.
4. Adjust settings like map, difficulty, and taming rates before starting.
5. Once the world loads, open the pause menu and select “Invite Friends� or use the platform’s party system.
6. Friends join from their own game via the join menu or an invitation.

For cross-platform play, note that non-dedicated sessions are limited to the same platform family (e.g., all PC, or all Xbox, or all PlayStation). Cross-play between PC and consoles is not supported for non-dedicated sessions in the base game.

Performance and Hardware Considerations

Hosting a non-dedicated server is more demanding than playing single-player. The host’s CPU must handle both the game logic and the server simulation. If you have a mid-range PC, expect lower frame rates and longer loading times when players join. On consoles, the base PS4 and Xbox One may struggle with even two players; newer consoles handle it better. To improve performance, lower the graphics settings, close background applications, and use a wired internet connection. The upload speed matters more than download – you need at least 5 Mbps upload for a stable 4-player session, though more is better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the tether distance in non-dedicated?
On PC, yes – with mods that increase or remove the tether. On consoles, no, the tether is fixed and cannot be changed. Even on PC, all players must have the same mod installed.

What happens if the host quits the game?
The server shuts down immediately. All players are disconnected and the world is saved only if the host saved before quitting. Any unsaved progress is lost.

Can I play non-dedicated with more than 4 players?
No, the game hard-codes a maximum of 4 players (including the host) for non-dedicated sessions. For more players, you need a dedicated server.

Does the host need a powerful PC?
Yes, more than for single-player. The host runs both client and server, so a mid-range CPU and at least 8 GB of RAM are recommended. Consoles can host but may experience performance drops with 4 players.

Can I transfer my non-dedicated world to a dedicated server?
Yes, you can upload your save file to a dedicated server if you have access to the server files. The process varies by platform, but on PC you can copy the .ark file from your single-player save folder to the server’s save folder.

Is non-dedicated safe from griefers?
Yes, because only invited friends can join. There is no public matchmaking for non-dedicated sessions; players must be invited or given a join code. This makes it a safe option for private groups.

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in t | Session length | hours | 2 | 0.1 | 24
in p | Players (incl. host) | players | 4 | 1 | 4
out time_per | Hours per player | hours | t / p | 1
out sessions | Sessions per day | sessions | 24 / t | 1