How to Clear Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server Cache – A Comprehensive Guide

Clearing your ARK: Survival Evolved server cache is crucial for maintaining optimal server performance and resolving various gameplay issues. The process involves several methods depending on the type of cache you’re targeting. Here’s a breakdown of how to clear the different types of caches relevant to your ARK server:

1. ARK Media’s Internal Cache (If Applicable): For those using Ark Media, access its configuration settings. Under the “System” tab, disable the “Enable File Concatenation” parameter. Save your changes, navigate back to Ark Media, and click the “Refresh Cache” icon.
2. Server DNS Cache: Open the command prompt on your server machine (or a machine with access to the server network). Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter. This clears the DNS resolver cache, which can resolve connection and latency issues.
3. Server Files (Full Reset): If you need to completely reset your server, go to your server panel, stop the server, and locate the “Reset Server Files” option. Choose “All Server Files” when prompted and confirm the reset. This will wipe your server data, so use it with caution.
4. General Server Restart: Simply restarting the server clears the in-memory cache. This is the easiest and most common method. The cache is stored in the server application’s memory, which is cleared when the server process stops.

Understanding these different methods and when to use them will help you keep your ARK server running smoothly and ensure a positive player experience.

Why Clear Your ARK Server Cache?

Clearing your ARK server cache can be beneficial for several reasons, all of which ultimately contribute to a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience.

• Improved Performance: Over time, cached data can become fragmented or corrupted, leading to performance degradation. Clearing the cache removes this potentially problematic data, allowing the server to access fresh data and operate more efficiently.
• Resolution of Gameplay Issues: If you’re experiencing glitches, bugs, or other unexpected behavior on your ARK server, a corrupted cache could be the culprit. Clearing the cache can often resolve these issues by forcing the server to reload the necessary files.
• Fixing Download and Startup Problems: Similar to how clearing the download cache on Steam can fix game download issues, clearing the server cache ensures that all server-side files are up-to-date and correctly loaded, preventing problems when players try to connect or start the game.
• Ensuring Compatibility After Updates: After updating the ARK game or server software, old cached data can sometimes conflict with the new files, leading to instability. Clearing the cache after an update helps prevent such conflicts.
• Data Integrity: While not a common occurrence, a corrupt cache can lead to data corruption. Regularly clearing the cache is a form of preventative maintenance, helping ensure the integrity of your server data.
• Freeing Up Resources: Although not as significant as clearing disk space, the cache does consume memory. Clearing the cache frees up this memory for other processes, potentially improving overall server performance.
• “Tech Hygiene”: Just as clearing browser caches and cookies is considered good “tech hygiene” for personal devices, periodically clearing the server cache is a good practice for maintaining a healthy and well-functioning ARK server.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• Access to your ARK server’s control panel: This is usually provided by your hosting provider.
• FTP client (e.g., FileZilla): Needed to access and modify server files if you’re not using a control panel with file management features.
• Command-line access (SSH or console): For executing commands like ipconfig /flushdns.
• Administrator privileges: Required to execute commands and modify server settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing Different Types of ARK Server Caches

Clearing the DNS Cache

The DNS cache stores IP addresses for domain names. Flushing it can resolve connectivity issues.

1. Open the Command Prompt: On your server machine (or a machine with access to the server network), search for “cmd” and run the Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Execute the Command: Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
3. Verify Success: You should see a message confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache was successfully flushed.

Resetting Server Files (Complete Wipe)

Warning: This will delete all your server data! Use this only if you’re starting fresh.

1. Access your Server Panel: Log in to your server hosting provider’s control panel.
2. Stop the Server: Ensure the server is completely stopped before proceeding.
3. Locate the Reset Option: Look for a “Reset Server Files” or similar option. This is usually found in the settings or management section.
4. Select “All Server Files”: When prompted, choose the option to reset all server files.
5. Confirm the Reset: Carefully read the warning message and confirm that you want to proceed.
6. Restart the Server: After the reset is complete, restart the server.

Restarting the Server (In-Memory Cache)

This is the easiest and safest method for general cache clearing.

1. Access your Server Panel: Log in to your server hosting provider’s control panel.
2. Stop the Server: Ensure the server is completely stopped before proceeding.
3. Start the Server: Once the server is stopped, start it again. This will clear the in-memory cache.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Server still running slow after clearing the cache: The issue might be related to other factors, such as hardware limitations, network congestion, or mod conflicts.
• Players still experiencing issues: The problem might be on the client-side. Advise players to clear their local game cache and verify their game files.
• Errors during cache clearing: Double-check that you have the necessary permissions and that you’re using the correct commands.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Server Performance

• Regular Backups: Before making any major changes, always back up your server data.
• Monitor Server Resources: Keep an eye on CPU usage, memory usage, and disk space to identify potential bottlenecks.
• Optimize Game Settings: Adjust game settings to balance visual quality and performance.
• Manage Mods Carefully: Test new mods thoroughly before implementing them on your live server.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your server software and operating system.

Conclusion

By understanding how to clear the different types of caches associated with your ARK: Survival Evolved server, you can effectively troubleshoot performance issues and ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for your players. Remember to use the appropriate method based on the specific problem you’re facing and always back up your data before making significant changes. Remember that learning about games and their effect on the player is important for keeping the community engaging. You can learn more from the Games Learning Society on their website, GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does clearing the cache actually do?

Clearing the cache removes temporary data that the server stores to speed up access to frequently used information. This includes things like world data, player inventories, and game assets. Over time, this cached data can become corrupted or outdated, leading to performance issues or gameplay glitches. Clearing the cache forces the server to reload fresh data, resolving these problems.

2. Is it safe to clear my ARK server cache?

Generally, yes, it’s safe to clear your server cache. However, understand what type of cache you’re clearing. Restarting the server or flushing the DNS cache is usually harmless. Resetting server files completely wipes your server, so proceed with extreme caution.

3. Will clearing the cache delete player progress?

Clearing the DNS cache or restarting the server will not delete player progress. However, resetting the server files will delete everything, including player progress, structures, and dinos. Always back up your server before performing a full reset.

4. How often should I clear my ARK server cache?

There’s no set schedule. Clear the cache when you notice performance issues, after updates, or when troubleshooting gameplay problems. Restarting the server daily or weekly can be a good preventative measure.

5. Does clearing the cache make my server faster?

It can. A corrupted or bloated cache can slow down your server. Clearing it allows the server to access fresh data, which can improve performance.

6. What if I clear the cache and my server is still slow?

The problem might not be the cache. Check your server’s hardware resources (CPU, RAM, disk space), network connection, and mod list.

7. What are the potential problems that a corrupted cache can cause?

A corrupted cache can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Lag and stuttering
• Gameplay glitches
• Errors and crashes
• Difficulty connecting to the server
• Incorrectly displayed data

8. How is clearing the server cache different from wiping the server?

Clearing the cache removes temporary files, while wiping the server deletes all server data. Clearing the cache is a troubleshooting step, while wiping the server is a more drastic measure used to start fresh.

9. Will clearing the cache remove my server settings?

Clearing the DNS cache or restarting the server will not remove your server settings. However, resetting the server files will reset all settings to their default values.

10. How do I know if my server cache is corrupted?

There’s no definitive way to know for sure. However, if you’re experiencing unexplained performance issues or gameplay glitches, a corrupted cache is a likely suspect.

11. What does the ipconfig /flushdns command do?

This command clears the DNS resolver cache on your server machine. The DNS cache stores IP addresses for domain names. Clearing it can resolve connectivity issues.

12. Can I clear the ARK server cache remotely?

Yes, most server control panels allow you to restart or reset the server remotely. If you have command-line access (SSH), you can also execute the ipconfig /flushdns command remotely.

13. What’s the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored by websites on a user’s computer to remember information about them, such as login details and preferences. Cache refers to the temporary storage of data (like images and scripts) on a server or device to speed up loading times. Clearing cookies typically relates to web browsing data, while clearing cache often refers to game or application data.

14. Does clearing the cache affect server mods?

Clearing the cache will not remove your mods, but it may help resolve conflicts or issues caused by outdated mod data. After clearing the cache, the server will reload the mods, ensuring they are running with the latest data.

15. Where is the server cache stored?

The server cache is stored in the server application’s memory (RAM) and on the server’s hard drive in various temporary file locations. The specific location depends on the operating system and server configuration.