Mod Reinstall & Troubleshooting Guide

Player/Client-Side Mod Troubleshooting (All Platforms)

When experiencing mod issues (managed in-game via CurseForge):

Initial Step: In-Game Mod Refresh (Try This First)

1. Uninstall Problematic Mods: Launch ARK. Go to "Mods List." Navigate to "Installed Mods." Select and "Uninstall" or "Delete" the mod(s) causing issues, or all mods if you're unsure which one is problematic. Immediately CLOSE YOUR GAME FULLY without reinstalling any mods.
2. Reinstall/Re-activate Mods:
   • Single-Player/Non-Dedicated: In "Mods List," browse and "Install" mods again. Then, in "Mod Settings" (found in your game setup screen), move them from "Available Mods" to "Active Mods." Adjust load order if necessary.
   • Dedicated Servers: Mods are usually automatically downloaded when you join if configured by the server. If you suspect a local copy is bad, ensure it's uninstalled from your "Installed Mods" list, then rejoin the server to get a fresh copy.

If Issues Persist After In-Game Refresh: Deeper Cache Clearing

PC (Steam & Epic)

1. Close ARK completely.
2. If the in-game refresh didn't work, try the following: Navigate to your ARK installation directory: ...\ARK Survival Ascended\ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64\ShooterGame\Mods\.
3. Inside this Mods folder, delete the contents of the numerical subfolder(s) (e.g., 83374) or delete the entire numerical subfolder(s) themselves. Crucially, do not delete the base Mods folder itself.
4. If you deleted mod files manually as above, it's then recommended to: Verify the integrity of your game files through your Steam Library (Right-click ARK > Properties > Installed Files > Verify) or Epic Games Library (Click '...' next to ARK > Manage > Verify).
5. After these steps, launch ARK. You'll need to reinstall/reactivate mods as described in Step 1.

Xbox (Full Mod Data Reset)

1. Close ARK.
2. Go to "My games & apps" > ARK > "Manage game and add-ons."
3. Select "Saved data" > "Reserved space."
4. Choose "Clear reserved space." (This is the primary way to ensure locally cached mod data is removed).
5. (Optional, for general troubleshooting) Perform a full console power cycle (hold power button 10s, unplug 1-2 mins, restart) or use "Reset console" > "Reset and keep my games & apps."
6. Launch ARK; mods will need to be re-downloaded/activated.

PlayStation (PS5) (Full Mod Data Reset)

1. Close ARK.
2. (Optional check) From PS5 Home, highlight ARK, press "Options" > "Manage Game Content." Remove any items that appear related to mods if present.
3. Power off PS5 completely. Press and hold the power button until you hear the second beep (about 7 seconds) to enter Safe Mode.
4. Connect your controller via USB and press the PS button.
5. Select option 6: "Clear Cache and Rebuild Database," then choose "Clear System Software Cache" and confirm.
6. Your PS5 will restart. Launch ARK; mods will need to be re-downloaded/activated.

Launch Your Game

Ensure active mods are correctly listed and ordered in "Mod Settings" before starting your session.

Reinstalling Mods on a Dedicated Server (Admin Instructions)

This process forces the server to redownload all configured mods.

1. Join Your Server: Connect to your Ark Survival Ascended server.
2. Enable Admin Mode: Use the command EnableCheats <AdminPassword>.
3. Execute Admin Command: Open the in-game console (usually ~ key) and type: Cheat RedownloadModsOnServerRestart
4. Restart Server: Shut down and restart your dedicated server.

Upon restart, the server will redownload its mods. Players might then get fresh copies when they connect. If individual players still have issues, they should try the client-side troubleshooting steps above.