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To restore an ARK: Survival Evolved server, stop the server, preserve a dated copy of its current ShooterGame/Saved folder, then replace the active save with a complete backup set. A usable set normally includes the map file in ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks plus the matching tribe, player, and related files. Start the server only after the replacement is complete, verify the map and ownership data, and keep the pre-restore copy until the rollback has proved stable.
What an ARK save restore actually changes
A restore rolls the server back to the state captured by a particular backup. It can change the terrain and world state, player inventories and positions, tribes, structures, tamed creatures, and other data saved at that time. The map’s .ark file is only one part of that state. Player and tribe files carry identity and ownership information, so restoring only the map can produce a world in which characters, tribes, or structures are missing or no longer associated correctly.
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For a dedicated server, the live data is under ShooterGame/Saved. The map saves are normally in ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks. A hosting company may present the same data through a control panel, ZIP download, FTP, or a file manager rather than showing the underlying folders directly.
Think of the restore as replacing one coherent save set with another, not importing a single world file. The timestamp matters because every file in the set describes the same point in the server’s history. A map from one point combined with tribe or player files from another can leave apparently present structures without their expected owners, or characters without the inventory and location recorded for that world state.
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Choose the restore route before touching files
| Route | Access needed | What you restore | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-managed filesystem | Direct access to the server’s installation files | A complete backup of ShooterGame/Saved, including the map and companion files |
You control the safety copy, file replacement, and restart flags |
| Hosting control panel | A provider panel with a Restore Backup action | The backup selected in the provider’s restore workflow | Controls, retention, and supported game build differ by provider |
| Hosting file manager or FTP | Panel file manager or FTP credentials | An extracted or uploaded backup, often supplied as a ZIP or timestamped directory | You must preserve the expected directory structure and filenames |
| Official-server snapshot archive | Access to the ARK installation and startup command line | The snapshot extracted into ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks |
Documented official snapshots require special launch arguments |
Use the route that matches where your backup exists. Do not mix an official snapshot’s launch requirements into an unrelated private-server backup. Before choosing, compare five points: whether you have direct filesystem access, whether the backup covers the full Saved directory or only a map, whether player and tribe identity files are included, whether you can retain a downloadable pre-restore copy, and whether the backup’s format matches the server build.
Before restoring: protect the current server
- Tell players when the maintenance window begins; everyone online will be disconnected when the server stops.
- If players are online, run the save-world command exposed by your server console so the latest state is written to disk before shutdown. ARK normally writes world data automatically every 15 minutes, but the interval is not a substitute for a deliberate pre-restore save.
- Stop the server cleanly. Do not copy or replace files while the process is still writing them.
- Copy the entire live
ShooterGame/Saveddirectory to a separate disk or storage location. A dated name such asSaved-pre-restore-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMmakes the rollback point unambiguous. - Confirm that the safety copy can be opened and that it contains the expected subfolders and files before changing the live directory.
An external USB hard drive or SSD is suitable for the separate copy; the important requirement is that it is separate from the active save location. Never make the only copy of the current state the set you are about to overwrite.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRecord the server’s current map and startup settings before beginning. This makes it easier to notice if a restore starts a different map or installation path. Also note the backup timestamp you selected and the time of the manual save. Those notes help explain any gap between the last player action and the restored state, especially when the automatic world-save interval and backup-generation interval differ.
Restore a backup on a self-managed dedicated server
1. Locate the active save
Open the ARK installation directory and locate ShooterGame/Saved. Inside it, dedicated-server map files are normally in SavedArks. The exact map filename depends on the map and server configuration, so identify the filename used by your installation rather than renaming a backup arbitrarily.
2. Identify a complete target backup
Choose the timestamp that contains the world state you want. Backups may be ordinary directories, ZIP archives, or copies made by a hosting panel. Keep the map .ark file together with the player, tribe, and other files from that same backup set. Mixing a map from one timestamp with identity files from another can create an inconsistent rollback.
3. Preserve the live directory
With the server stopped, rename the live ShooterGame/Saved directory or move it to the dated safety location you created. Renaming it rather than deleting it gives you a quick recovery path and leaves the original directory intact until verification is finished.
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4. Stage the target files
Extract the selected archive, or copy the selected backup directory, into the server’s active save location. Preserve the expected structure: the map and its companions must end up under the appropriate ShooterGame/Saved paths, with map files in SavedArks where the server expects them. If an archive contains an extra top-level folder, open it first and copy the folder contents rather than creating a nested path such as Saved/Saved/....
5. Check filenames and scope
- Confirm that the restored map file has the filename the server expects for the selected map.
- Confirm that the player and tribe files from the same backup are present.
- Check that the replacement did not leave a mixture of old and new files in the active directory.
- Leave the dated pre-restore copy untouched; it is your rollback source if verification fails.
6. Start and verify the world
Start the server normally and connect with an administrator account. Verify the map first, then check a known player character, tribe membership, structures, tamed creatures, and recent inventory. Testing more than one player or tribe is useful when the restore was intended to preserve shared ownership. Do not remove the safety copy immediately after the first successful login.
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Verification should cover both existence and association. A structure appearing in the right location is not enough if its tribe ownership is wrong. Check a structure owned by an affected tribe, a tamed creature associated with that tribe, and a player’s recent inventory or position. If the rollback was intended to recover a specific event, confirm that event’s surrounding world state rather than relying only on a successful server boot.
7. Roll back if verification fails
If the server opens the wrong map, characters are missing, tribes do not own their structures, or recent data is absent, stop the server again. Move the failed replacement aside, restore the preserved ShooterGame/Saved directory, and start the server to return to the pre-restore state. You can then try another timestamp or re-examine the archive’s directory structure without risking the original data.
Restoring an official-server snapshot archive
Official-server snapshot archives use a documented format with launch requirements that do not automatically apply to ordinary dedicated-server backups. Extract the archive into <ARK installation path>ShooterGameSavedSavedArks. Append -newsaveformat to the server command line. For every non-LEGACY official save, append -usestore as well.
| Snapshot type | Required launch arguments |
|---|---|
| Documented official snapshot using the newer save format | -newsaveformat |
| Non-LEGACY official snapshot | -newsaveformat -usestore |
These arguments are specific to the official snapshot cases documented for ARK. Do not add -usestore or -newsaveformat merely because a private-server ZIP contains an .ark file. The official-server documentation describes snapshots dated August 25, 2023 and September 30, 2023; identify the archive you have and follow the format notes that accompany it.
After launching, perform the same map, character, tribe, structure, creature, and inventory checks as with any other restore. If the server will not load the snapshot, stop it and return to the preserved pre-restore directory before changing startup arguments or trying another archive.
Restoring through a managed host
Control-panel restore
Some managed hosts provide a Restore Backup action. Select the desired timestamp, confirm that the game service is stopped if the panel requires it, and retain a downloadable copy of the current backup when the panel offers that option. The panel may restore the complete ARK save automatically, but you still need to verify the resulting map and ownership data after the service starts.
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File manager or FTP
Other hosts provide ZIP downloads and let you upload or extract them with a file manager or FTP client. Download the backup first, stop the service, and place the extracted files under the provider’s ARK save path. For dedicated servers this is commonly the equivalent of ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks, but the provider’s documented path takes precedence. Keep the pre-restore directory or downloaded archive until the test is complete.
Questions to confirm with the provider
- How far back the retained timestamps go and whether retention is measured in days or in a fixed number of backups.
- Whether the restore covers the complete
Saveddirectory or only a map snapshot. - Whether the service is stopped automatically during the operation.
- Which ARK server build and save format the backup supports.
- Whether the panel permits downloading the current state before replacement.
Provider interfaces, retention rules, and supported builds are provider-specific. A control-panel label that says “restore” does not establish that player and tribe files are included, so inspect the backup contents or the provider’s description before relying on it.
When using FTP, allow for upload and extraction time before restarting the service. A partially transferred archive or an extraction that stopped early can look like a valid folder while omitting companion files. Confirm that the transfer completed and that the expected map, player, tribe, and related files are present before starting the server.
Built-in backup settings you can use for future rollbacks
Automatic world saves
The dedicated-server guide documents a normal automatic world-save interval of 15 minutes. A manual save immediately before maintenance gives you a known point and avoids relying on when the last automatic write happened.
Automatic save backups
The official-server save documentation describes -MaxNumOfSaveBackups=<integer>. Its documented default maximum is 20 backups, and those automatic backups are created every two hours. Raising or lowering the value changes how many generations are retained; it does not replace an independent copy of the complete ShooterGame/Saved directory.
Because a new generation is documented every two hours, the available automatic set may not include the exact moment you need. A 15-minute world-save interval affects normal writes, while the two-hour generation interval affects which older copies remain available for selection. Keep independent dated copies for changes that must be reversible beyond that retention window.
Character-profile transfer backup
The same documentation recommends -BackupTransferPlayerDatas for an additional character-profile backup when players transfer. This helps preserve transfer-related character data, but it is not a complete world rollback and should be treated as an extra safeguard rather than the sole backup.
Common restore failures and precise fixes
The server starts on a new or empty world
Stop the server and inspect the active path. The backup may have been copied into a nested directory, the map filename may not match the configured map, or the server may be reading a different installation directory. Correct the directory structure or filename, then restart without deleting the preserved copy.
Characters or tribes are missing
This usually indicates that only the map .ark file was restored, or that companion files came from another timestamp. Replace the active save with the complete backup set, including player and tribe data, and test ownership again.
Structures exist but have the wrong owners
Ownership is held in related identity files rather than solely in the map. Stop the service, restore the matching tribe and player files from the same backup as the map, and repeat the verification with an affected tribe.
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The archive will not load
For an official snapshot, check that the archive was extracted into ShooterGameSavedSavedArks and that the required -newsaveformat argument is present, with -usestore added for a non-LEGACY save. For an ordinary backup, remove official-only flags if they were added and confirm that the server build and archive format match.
The provider restore removed the current state
Use the pre-restore copy or the provider’s downloadable backup to return to the prior state. If neither exists, the overwritten data may not be recoverable; this is why downloading or copying the live Saved directory before a panel restore is essential.
A restore appears successful but later data is missing
Compare the chosen timestamp with the event you are trying to recover. Automatic world saves occur every 15 minutes, while the documented automatic backup generations occur every two hours; a backup can therefore predate the event by a substantial interval. Try the next newer or older generation while keeping each attempted restore isolated from the preserved safety copy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Final verification checklist
- The server was stopped before files were replaced.
- The original
ShooterGame/Saveddirectory was copied to separate, dated storage. - The selected backup contains the map and matching player, tribe, and related files.
- The active directory structure and map filename match the server configuration.
- Official snapshot flags were used only when the snapshot format requires them.
- The restored map, characters, tribes, structures, creatures, and inventories were checked in-game.
- The pre-restore copy remains available until the restored server has been stable for a while.
A reliable ARK rollback is therefore a controlled replacement of the complete save set, not a quick copy of one map file. Preserve the current state first, restore files from one coherent timestamp, apply format-specific startup arguments only when warranted, and verify ownership before treating the rollback as complete.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the ARK server save folder?
For a dedicated server, begin at ShooterGame/Saved. Map saves are normally in ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks. A managed host may hide that path behind its panel, file manager, or FTP account.
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Do not do so when the backup contains related files. Restore the map together with the matching player, tribe, and other files so identity and ownership remain consistent.
Do I have to stop the server first?
Yes. Force a save through the server console when players are online, then stop the service cleanly before copying or replacing files. This prevents the running process from writing over the files you are changing.
How long should I keep the old save?
Keep the dated pre-restore copy until the restored world has been stable and the map, characters, tribes, structures, creatures, and inventories have all been checked. It is the fastest way back if a delayed problem appears.
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What do -newsaveformat and -usestore do in this procedure?
They are launch requirements for the documented official-server snapshot cases. Use -newsaveformat for that newer snapshot format and add -usestore for non-LEGACY official saves. They are not universal flags for every private-server backup.
How many automatic backups does ARK keep?
The documented default for -MaxNumOfSaveBackups is 20 generations, created every two hours. The setting can be changed, but it does not replace a separate copy of the complete ShooterGame/Saved directory.
Will a host’s Restore Backup button include tribes and players?
That depends on the provider and the backup scope. Confirm whether the action restores the complete Saved directory or only a map snapshot, and inspect the backup contents or provider description before proceeding.
What if the restored world is empty?
Stop the service and check for a nested extraction path, an incorrect map filename, or a different installation directory. Restore the preserved safety copy if needed, then retry with the correct complete backup set.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I restore an old save on my ARK server?
Stop the server, make a dated copy of the current ShooterGame/Saved directory, then replace it with the complete backup set from the desired timestamp. Restore the map and matching player, tribe, and related files together, restart, and verify ownership data.
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Where is the ARK server save folder?
Dedicated-server data is under ShooterGame/Saved, with map files normally in ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks. Managed hosts may expose the same location through a panel, ZIP download, FTP, or file manager.
Can I restore a backup from my host’s control panel?
Yes, if the provider offers a Restore Backup action. Check the retention period, backup scope, supported build, service-stop behavior, and whether you can download the current state before confirming the restore.
Why are my characters or tribes missing after restoring?
The map may have been restored without its companion player and tribe files, or files from different timestamps may have been mixed. Replace the active save with one complete, matching backup set.
Which launch flags are required for an official snapshot?
Use -newsaveformat for the documented newer official snapshot format. Add -usestore for every non-LEGACY official save. Do not apply those flags automatically to unrelated private-server backups.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHow many automatic ARK save backups are retained by default?
The documented default maximum is 20 generations, created every two hours with -MaxNumOfSaveBackups. Keep an independent full-folder copy for longer-term protection.
The Bottom Line
Stop first, save and preserve the complete current ShooterGame/Saved folder, restore one coherent backup set, use official snapshot flags only when required, and verify players, tribes, structures, creatures, and inventories before deleting the safety copy.
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