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Can You Back Up Your ARK Server? A Comprehensive Guide

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Yes, you absolutely can and should back up your ARK: Survival Evolved server. Regular backups are crucial for safeguarding your progress, player data, and the entire world you’ve painstakingly built. Whether you’re running a dedicated server or a non-dedicated session, having a robust backup strategy can save you from the devastating consequences of data loss, server corruption, or accidental rollbacks. This article delves into the various methods for backing up your ARK server and addresses common questions to help you keep your game world safe and secure.

Why Back Up Your ARK Server?

Before diving into the how, let’s understand the why. Imagine spending hours, days, or even weeks meticulously constructing a base, taming powerful creatures, and progressing your character, only to have it all wiped away due to an unforeseen issue. That’s where backups come into play. Here are a few key reasons why you need to back up your ARK server:

Data Loss Prevention: Server crashes, hardware failures, and software issues can all lead to data loss. Backups provide a safety net, allowing you to restore your world to a previous state.
Rollback Capabilities: In case of accidental changes, such as unintended world modifications or glitches, backups allow you to quickly revert to a stable and functional version.
Protection Against Griefing or Malicious Acts: In the unfortunate event of malicious actions on your server, backups enable you to restore to a point before the incident occurred.
Peace of Mind: Knowing you have reliable backups gives you peace of mind and lets you enjoy the game without the constant fear of losing everything.

Methods for Backing Up Your ARK Server

There are several ways to back up your ARK server, each with its own pros and cons:

Automatic Server Backups

Many ARK server hosting providers offer automatic backup features. These often work by creating periodic snapshots of your server’s data. These snapshots can be a lifesaver, especially if you are new to server administration.

How to Use Automatic Backups: Typically, you can find the backup settings in your hosting control panel. Look for options to schedule backups at regular intervals (e.g., daily, hourly) and manage the number of backups you want to retain.
Pros: Easy to set up and maintain, no manual work required.
Cons: May be limited by your hosting provider’s offerings, could use significant disk space.

Manual Backups

If automatic backups aren’t sufficient, manual backups are an excellent alternative. This allows you complete control over when and what you back up.

Accessing Your Server Files: You’ll typically need FTP access to your server files using a program like FileZilla. The main data folder you’re looking for is located within the ShooterGame/Saved/ directory.
What to Back Up:
- SavedArks/: This folder contains your world data (the actual map and the structures built). It’s crucial to back this up. Inside you will find .ark files which contain the world data.
- LocalProfiles: This contains player character data. These files end with .arkprofile.
- Config: Configuration files you may have altered.
Backing up via FTP: Simply select the files and/or folders you need and drag them onto your local computer. Make sure to store these in a safe and organized location.
Pros: Complete control over backup timing and contents, no dependency on a hosting provider’s features.
Cons: Requires manual effort, requires server downtime to ensure consistency.

Using the `saveworld` Command

The saveworld command is a valuable in-game tool for creating immediate backups.

How to Use: To use this command, you must be logged in as an admin. First, use the command enablecheats <adminpassword>. Then, use admincheat saveworld.
What It Does: This will process an immediate save of your current server state.
Pros: Quick and easy to use while playing.
Cons: Requires admin access, and while useful, it should not be your primary backup method.

Backing Up Non-Dedicated Sessions

Non-dedicated sessions (where one player hosts, and others join their game) save automatically when the host closes their game.

How it works: The host’s game files act as the server, and their saved game data contains both the world information and the player information.
Location of files: The files are saved on the host’s local machine. Typically you can find them in SteamsteamappscommonARKShooterGameSaved.
Backup process: To back up your non-dedicated session, you simply copy the contents of the Saved folder to a safe location.

FAQ: Backing Up Your ARK Server

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding ARK server backups to further enhance your understanding:

Where are the ARK server backup files stored?
The primary location is within the server directory, typically found at C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonARKShooterGameSaved or a similar location depending on your server setup.
How often should I back up my ARK server?
For active servers, daily backups are recommended. If you make frequent changes, more frequent backups should be considered, potentially even multiple times a day.
What’s the difference between a full backup and a partial backup?
A full backup copies all server data, while a partial backup might only include certain files or directories. Full backups are generally recommended for ARK servers, given their relatively small size.
Can I automate manual backups?
Yes, you can use scripts and scheduled tasks on your server operating system to automate manual backups, reducing the effort required.
How do I restore a backup on an ARK server?
To restore a backup, stop your server, then overwrite the current data with your backup files via FTP. Then, restart your server. You will need to use a similar method as described for your initial FTP access.
How do I backup my ARK world if I’m not the host?
If you are not the host of the server, you will not be able to directly back up the world. Only the host of the server has access to the save files.
Do automated server saves count as backups?
While the server autosaves every 15 minutes by default, these are not designed for restoration and should not be considered backups. They are for crash recovery only.
Can I restore an old backup?
Yes, you can restore any previous backup as long as you have access to the files. Be sure to save backups from multiple points in time to give yourself options for restoration.
Is it safe to back up while the server is running?
It is highly recommended to stop the server before making backups to avoid potential data corruption.
Can I back up my single player ARK game?
Yes, you can back up your single player game by navigating to SteamsteamappscommonARKShooterGameSaved and copying the contents of this Saved folder.
What is the command to backup the world in game?
The command is admincheat saveworld.
Where are my player saves?
Player saves are located in the LocalProfiles folder in the Saved folder.
What are the essential files for an ARK backup?
The primary files are .ark (world data) and .arkprofile (player character data) along with any relevant Config files. They are all located inside the Saved folder.
How can I transfer my ARK character data to a new server?
You can transfer your character data by uploading the character at an obelisk on your old server and then downloading that character on the new server. However, be sure that both the server you are leaving and entering allow cross server character transfer.
Are server backups only for dedicated servers?
No, backups are important for all types of ARK servers, including non-dedicated sessions.

Conclusion

Backing up your ARK: Survival Evolved server is not an option – it’s a necessity. By using a combination of automatic and manual backup methods, understanding the data structure, and heeding the guidelines provided, you can ensure that your hard work remains safe. Don’t wait for a disaster to strike; implement a comprehensive backup strategy today and enjoy your ARK experience without worry.