Resetting or Wiping an ARK Server Safely

Overview

ARK server owners may occasionally need a clean start. A map can become corrupted, a season may be ending, or the server might simply need a fresh world without yesterday's questionable base locations following everyone around.

There are a few different ways to wipe an ARK server, and each one removes different data. Deleting the world is not the same as deleting player characters, and resetting every server file is the most aggressive option. Before deleting anything, download a backup through the panel or with an FTP client such as FileZilla if there is any chance you may want the files later.

Choosing the Right Wipe Method

Most ARK wipe tasks are handled through the file manager because the important save data lives inside the server files. Pick the method that matches your goal:

• Delete the world if you want a new map while keeping the rest of the server setup intact.
• Remove character data if one or more player profiles need to be erased.
• Reset all server files if you want the server returned to a blank state.

Deleted files are not recoverable unless you saved a copy first, so check twice before pressing delete.

Delete the ARK World

1. Open your server panel and open the file manager (or connect via FTP). Make sure you are using the correct server profile before continuing.

1. Log in with your panel password, then open the `ShooterGame` directory.

1. Go into the `Saved` folder, select the `SavedArks` folder, and click Delete.

1. Submit the change, then return to the main server panel.

1. Restart the server. When it finishes loading, join the server to let ARK generate a new world.

Remove Player Character Data

1. From the file manager, open the `Saved` directory.

1. Go into the `SavedArks` folder, then use the SteamID I/O tool.

1. Enter the player's username in the input field and copy the matching SteamID64 value.

1. Return to the folder and search for the `.arkprofile` file that matches the SteamID64.

1. Select the file and click Delete.

1. Repeat this for any other player profiles you want to remove, then restart the server from the main panel.

Reset Every Server File

Use this option only when you want a full server reset, since it removes more than just save data.

1. Open the server panel and click Stop.

1. Locate the reset option in your panel.

1. When prompted, choose to reset all server files, then confirm the action.

1. Type `reset` to confirm, then start the server again from the main panel.

Troubleshooting

Files Will Not Delete

If files refuse to delete, another panel task may still be running. Wait for pending tasks to finish, then try again. If that does not work, stop the server and repeat the deletion. An external FTP client can also help remove files directly from your computer.

Progress Still Appears In-Game

If the old world or character data still appears, force stop the server and repeat the wipe process. For player data, confirm that the SteamID64 is correct. ARK uses that ID to match each character profile, so one wrong digit means the wrong file was targeted.

Server Will Not Start

After a wipe, ARK may take extra time to regenerate files. Check the console from the server panel to watch the startup process. If it appears stuck, crashed, or never begins loading properly, contact support with the console details so the issue can be checked more closely.

Related Guides

• How to make an ARK server
• Adding custom maps to ARK servers
• How to add mods to ARK