Alex Ruben
How To Fix ARK Survival Ascended Stuck on Loading Screen on PC
If ARK Survival Ascended keeps getting stuck on the loading screen or crashes before the main menu, you’re probably scratching your head wondering what went wrong. It happens to a lot of folks, especially after updates or driver changes. The thing is, solving this can be a mix of tweaking settings, verifying files, or even messing with your graphics drivers. The goal here is to get past that endless loading barrier and jump right into the game without pulling your hair out.
Some fixes are quick, like restarting or adjusting launch options, but others might require diving into system files or driver management. Hopefully, one of these methods gets you back in the game. Just keep in mind, it’s often trial and error, and if one method doesn’t work immediately, move on to the next. Not everything’s obvious, especially with game config weirdness or driver quirks. So, hang tight and follow along.
How to Fix ARK Survival Ascended Loading Screen Issues on PC
Method 1: Restart Windows and Verify Basic Setup
So, first things first—sometimes, you just need to give your system a quick reboot. Windows can get a little weird, and a restart clears out any stuck processes or updates buffering in the background. Also, double-check your system meets the minimum specs and that your OS is fully up to date.
- Reboot your PC by clicking Start and choosing Restart.
- Once back, go to Settings > Update & Security to check for any pending Windows updates. Installing those can resolve compatibility hiccups.
After rebooting, launch the game again. If it still stalls on the loading screen, try the next fix.
Method 2: Tweak Launch Options in Steam
This fix works because sometimes the game struggles with certain DirectX settings or runs better in windowed mode. It’s kind of weird, but switching up these launch parameters can make a difference.
- Right-click ARK in Steam, select Properties.
- Under General, you’ll see Launch Options.
- Try adding these commands, one at a time, and then hot reloading the game:
-dx11-d3d11-force-d3d11-windowed -d3d11-dx12
On some setups, -dx11 or -windowed helps bypass issues with fullscreen or DirectX conflicts. Launch the game after each tweak to see if the loading screen moves along.
Method 3: Reset and Reinstall BattlEye
BattlEye, the anti-cheat layer, sometimes gets corrupted or just refuses to play nice. Reinstalling can fix that if it’s causing the stuck loading screens.
- Navigate to your game installation directory. Usually, it’s in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARK Survival Evolved or similar.
- Head into Binaries/Win64 and find the BattlEye folder.
- Right-click it and select Uninstall. If that’s not straightforward, you can try deleting the folder, but be aware some files might get recreated.
- Reinstall BattlEye by launching the game again—this should prompt it to reinstall automatically.
Method 4: Run the Game from the Executable Directly
Sometimes, launching the game through Steam isn’t the best idea — maybe Steam overlay or something in the launcher causes conflicts. Running the game directly can help.
- Go to your ARK installation folder and find ARK.exe.
- Right-click on ARK.exe and choose Run as Administrator. This makes sure it’s got the permissions to load all configs and files.
- Optionally, in Properties for the executable, enable Disable fullscreen optimization — right-click, choose Properties, then under the Compatibility tab, check that box.
Method 5: Check and Allow the Game Through Windows Defender and Antivirus
Windows security software can mistakenly block parts of the game, especially during initial launch or after updates. This might be why it hangs in the loading screen.
- Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
- Go to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.
- Scroll down to Add or remove exclusions, and add the ARK game folder or game executable.
- Also, in your antivirus software, add ARK to the trusted list if possible.
Method 6: Verify Integrity of Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files are a common culprit. Verifying fixes that — by replacing messed-up files — helps smooth out loading issues.
- In Steam, right-click ARK, choose Properties.
- Navigate to Local Files and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Wait for the process to finish, then try launching again.
Method 7: Delete and Reset Config Files
Game settings or configs sometimes get wonky, especially after crashes or forced shutdowns. Deleting the configuration folder resets everything to defaults, which can clear up the load problem.
- Find your ARK save folder, usually in C:\Users\YourUsername\Saved Games\ArkTheGame.
- Look for a folder named Config and delete it. Don’t worry, it’s safe; the game recreates it on launch.
- Launch to see if it loads past the initial screen now.
Note: This resets your game settings, so you’ll have to redo some preferences.
Method 8: Disable Mods and Custom Content
If you’re running mods, they can sometimes conflict or cause loading hangs—especially if they’re outdated or corrupted.
- Disable mods via the game’s mod menu or remove them from the Mods folder in your game directory.
- Try launching the game again and see if it progresses past the loading screen.
Method 9: Tweak In-Game Settings (Once Game Runs)
If you manage to get in but face stuttering or freezing, reducing graphics settings helps. Switch to Windowed Mode, lower texture quality, and disable advanced options like DLSS or frame generation.
Method 10: Manage Power Settings
On some setups, Windows power mode can impose CPU or GPU throttling, which messes with loading times. Switch to Power Saver mode in Control Panel > Power Options. Sometimes, this surprisingly helps load times.
Method 11: Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers
Graphics drivers are often the root cause. If recent updates started causing problems, rolling back might fix it.
- To update, go to NVIDIA Drivers or AMD Support and download the latest.
- During install, pick the Custom>Perform a clean install checkbox.
- If rollback is needed, go to Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, choose Properties, then the Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver.
Method 12: Use Dedicated GPU & Disable Integrated Graphics
On laptops with both integrated and dedicated graphics, you might be running the game on Intel’s onboard graphics unintentionally. Ensure it’s set to run on your dedicated GPU in Graphics Settings. For NVIDIA cards, open NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings, and assign ARK to run on the high-performance GPU.
Method 13: Install Required Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing runtime libraries can cause loading issues. Download and install the latest Visual C++ redistributables from Microsoft. It’s a simple fix but often overlooked.
Method 14: Clean Reinstall of the Game
If nothing else works, a full uninstall and fresh install might be the last resort. Make sure to delete leftover files in the game directory and any saved configs before reinstalling. Installing on an SSD helps reduce load times too.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are a few quick tips to avoid future headaches:
- Back up your saved game data before trying major fixes.
- Keep your graphics drivers and Windows updated.
- Check forums or Reddit if you hit a weird new issue after an update — someone else probably has the same problem.
Wrap-up
Dealing with stuck loading screens can be annoying, but most of the fixes are straightforward once you know where to look. It might take a couple of tries or mixing a few methods, but progress is usually possible without a full system wipe. Just remember, different setups have different quirks—sometimes it’s a driver, other times a config glitch. Keep patience, and don’t be afraid to experiment a bit.
Summary
- Restart PC and verify OS updates
- Adjust launch options in Steam
- Reinstall BattlEye if needed
- Run the game directly from the executable
- Allow game through Windows Security and antivirus
- Verify game files via Steam
- Reset configs and disable mods
- Update or roll back GPU drivers
- Manage power settings and graphics output
- Install Visual C++ redistributables
Final Words
If this gets one update moving or helps even a little, that’s already a win. Troubleshooting weird loading issues like this takes patience, but with these steps, it’s usually fixable. Fingers crossed this helps, or at least points you in the right direction to keep gaming.