How to Invite Someone to Your Non-Dedicated Server in ARK: Survival Evolved

Playing ARK with friends on a non-dedicated server is one of the most accessible ways to enjoy the game together — no monthly hosting fees, no complex server setup, just you launching a session from your own machine. But getting someone else into that session isn't always obvious, especially when the game's multiplayer menu doesn't spell it out clearly.

Here's exactly how it works, what affects it, and why your experience may differ from someone else's.

What Is a Non-Dedicated Server in ARK?

A non-dedicated session in ARK means you're hosting and playing at the same time from the same machine. Unlike a dedicated server — which runs independently, often 24/7 on separate hardware — a non-dedicated session only exists while the host is actively playing.

This matters because:

• The world pauses or stops when the host leaves
• The host's PC carries the load for both gameplay and server processing
• There's a built-in tether distance (on console and optionally on PC) that keeps guests within a radius of the host

It's designed for casual co-op, not large multiplayer communities.

How to Invite Someone to Your Non-Dedicated ARK Session

Step 1: Start a Non-Dedicated Session

From the main menu, go to Host / Local, then select Host Non-Dedicated Multiplayer Session. Configure your map, difficulty, and settings, then launch the session. You'll load into the world as both host and player.

Step 2: Invite Through the Steam or Console Overlay

Once you're in-game:

• On PC (Steam): Open the Steam overlay (default: Shift+Tab), go to your friends list, right-click the friend you want to invite, and select "Invite to Game." They'll receive a Steam invite notification.
• On Xbox: Press the Xbox button, navigate to your friends list, select the friend, and choose "Invite to Game."
• On PlayStation: Open the PS menu, go to your friends list, and send a game invite directly from there.

Your friend accepts the invite and joins your session directly — no server browser searching required.

Step 3: Joining Without a Direct Invite (PC)

If a direct invite isn't working, your friend can join through the in-game server list:

1. From the main menu, select Join ARK
2. Set the session filter to "Unofficial PC Sessions" or "Non-Dedicated"
3. Search for your session name (the name you gave it when creating it)
4. Select it and join

🔍 Note: The session may not appear if it's set to private, or if there are network/NAT issues. Make sure your session visibility is set to "Friends Only" or "Public" in the host settings.

Why Invites Sometimes Don't Work

This is where variables come in. Non-dedicated sessions are sensitive to network conditions in ways that dedicated servers aren't.

NAT Type and Router Configuration

NAT (Network Address Translation) is one of the most common reasons friends can't connect. If your router has a strict NAT type, incoming connections may be blocked. Opening the relevant ports (typically UDP 7777 and 27015 for ARK on PC) in your router's settings can resolve this. Console players may need to enable UPnP or set up a DMZ for their device.

Firewall Blocking

Windows Firewall or third-party security software may be blocking ARK from accepting incoming connections. Ensure ARK is listed as an exception in your firewall settings.

Same Network Limitation

Some players discover that friends on the same local network (same Wi-Fi or LAN) have trouble connecting through Steam invites. In that case, using the in-game direct IP join (via the console command open [local IP]:7777) often works better.

Platform Differences

On console, cross-platform play isn't available for non-dedicated sessions in the base game without specific configurations or the use of ARK's crossplay features (available in some versions). If you and your friend are on different platforms, this may be a hard limitation depending on which version of the game you're running.

The Tether Distance Factor

One thing that surprises new hosts: tether distance. On non-dedicated sessions, guests are anchored within a set radius of the host. If the host moves too far, guests get dragged along whether they want to or not.

On PC, this can be adjusted or effectively removed by changing the NonDedicatedServerGameSettings in the game's ini files or through sliders in the host settings menu. On console, tether distance is more restricted and can't be eliminated entirely.

This doesn't affect whether someone can join — but it heavily affects the actual play experience once they're in.

What Shapes the Experience Across Different Setups

🎮 Non-dedicated sessions technically support more than one guest, but performance degrades noticeably with each additional player since the host machine is doing all the work.

One Thing That Varies by Player

The steps above cover the universal process — but whether it works smoothly, whether your friend experiences lag, whether you can lift the tether, or whether crossplay is an option all depend on factors specific to your setup: your hardware, your router configuration, your internet speed, and which platform and version of ARK you're both running.

Someone with a high-end PC, fast upload speeds, and an open NAT type will have a fundamentally different hosting experience than someone on a mid-range console with a restrictive home network — even following the exact same steps.