James Harper
How To Resolve Crashing Issues in ARK Survival Ascended After the Update on PC
If you’ve recently updated ARK Survival Ascended and notice it crashing more often than it used to, you’re not alone. It’s a pretty common frustration after big updates, especially 5.5. Sometimes, the game just refuses to stay open, or it crashes right after launch. These issues can stem from a bunch of reasons—corrupted files, driver conflicts, background apps, or even outdated software components. Luckily, there are several tweaks that can help sort this out. This guide spells out different methods to troubleshoot and hopefully get back to smooth sailing in Ark.
How to Fix ARK Survival Ascended Crashing After Update 5.5
Adjust Launch Options in Steam
This is a classic. Sometimes, the game’s default graphics settings, especially with the new update, clash with your system’s configuration. Adjusting launch options can force the game to use a more compatible graphics API.
- Open Steam, head over to Library.
- Right-click on ARK Survival Ascended and pick Properties.
- In the General tab, locate the Launch Options box.
- Try entering one of these commands, then launch the game to see if stability improves:
-dx11– forces DirectX 11 mode, which can often fix driver-related crashes.-d3d11– another way to specify DirectX 11.-force-d3d11– sometimes the game ignores settings unless explicitly told.-windowed -d3d11– runs the game in windowed mode, which sometimes helps with stability issues.-dx12– try if your system has a stable DirectX 12 setup. On some setups, this crashes the game, but on newer machines, it could help.
Note: Changing these settings might require trial and error to see what actually works for your setup. Commonly, -dx11 does the trick.
Reinstall BattlEye Anti-Cheat
Since BattlEye is an anti-cheat program integral to ARK, faulty installations can cause crashes. Reinstalling it can often fix errors related to this component.
- In Steam, right-click ARK, click Manage > Browse Local Files.
- Go to the BattlEye folder inside the game directory.
- To uninstall, right-click on Uninstall_BattlEye.bat and run it as an administrator. (If no such file exists, you might need to manually delete the folder, but be cautious.)
- Once uninstalled, just launch the game again, and BattlEye should reinstall itself automatically. Keep an eye on any errors during the process.
This approach helped on one machine, but on another, I had to manually delete and reinstall BattlEye, which was kind of annoying but necessary sometimes.
Start the Game Directly from the Installation Folder
If Steam’s overlay or launcher has weird bugs, try launching the game directly from its executable. Sometimes, Steam’s launch process gets tangled, especially after updates.
- Using Browse Local Files again, head into Binaries/Win64.
- Find ARKSurvivalEvolved.exe or similar—double-click it to run.
That can sometimes bypass the launcher’s quirks. If it runs fine this way, the problem might be related to Steam-specific launch settings or overlays.
Allow the Game Through Antivirus & Firewall
Anti-malware tools, including Windows Defender, can block or limit the game files unexpectedly, especially after updates. Ensuring ARK is allowed can prevent crashes.
- Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings.
- Add ARK’s main executable (like ARKSurvivalEvolved.exe) to your exclusions list.
- In Firewall & Network Protection, check if ARK is allowed to communicate through the network. Sometimes, updates reset these permissions.
On some setups, Windows security blocks the game by default, which can cause crashes or prevent proper launching.
Verify Integrity of Game Files
Damaged or missing files are a common cause for crashes, especially after big patches. Validating your files can fix inconsistent or corrupted data.
- Right-click ARK in Steam, go to Properties.
- Navigate to the Local Files tab.
- Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files. Steam will then scan and repair any issues.
This often reveals corrupted files that little Windows or Steam might have missed before or after an update.
Reset Configurations by Deleting the Config Folder
Sometimes, old or corrupted config files cause crashes. Deleting them resets settings, forcing the game to generate fresh configs, which can fix the problem.
- Open the game’s local files again.
- Find the Config folder inside the saved files directory (usually in C:\Users\\Saved Games\Ark).
- Make a backup if you want, then delete the folder.
- Launch the game anew—new config files should regenerate.
Be warned: this resets custom keybinds, graphics, and UI options, so you might need to redo some settings.
Uninstall and Remove Mods (if applicable)
Mods can definitely trigger crashes if they’re outdated or incompatible with the new update. If crashes began after installing mods, consider removing or disabling them.
- In Steam, go to your ARK Mods folder (often in the game directory or via the in-game menu).
- Remove or disable mods by deleting their files or turning them off in the game’s menu.
This step often helps isolate if a third-party mod is causing the crash hängen.
Adjust in-Game Settings for Stability
If you manage to launch the game, dial back some settings to lessen the load on your rig and possibly prevent crashes:
- Set the game to Windowed Mode for less graphics stress.
- Lower the Max Frame Rate to match your monitor’s refresh rate (60Hz, 144Hz, etc.).
- Disable features like Frame Generation and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) if available.
- Tweak the UI transition effects if they seem laggy or unstable.
Switch to Power Saver Mode
This isn’t just for laptops—switching to Power Saver can sometimes help with stability by reducing background stress on your CPU and GPU.
- Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Select Power Saver.
Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers
Graphics drivers are often the culprits behind crashes, especially after updates. If you recently updated your GPU drivers and started crashing, rolling back could fix it.
- Open Device Manager (Windows + X and choose it).
- Find your graphics card under Display adapters.
- Right-click and select Properties.
- Under the Driver tab, click Roll Back Driver if available. If not, downloading the latest drivers from [NVIDIA](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/drivers/) or [AMD](https://www.amd.com/en/support) and performing a clean install can help.
Run the Game on Your Dedicated Graphics Card
Laptops with both integrated and dedicated GPU? Make sure the game runs on the high-performance GPU to avoid issues caused by using integrated graphics.
- Search for Graphics Settings in Windows.
- Choose ARK Survival Ascended.exe and set it to High Performance.
Disabling Onboard Graphics
If your onboard graphics is conflicting with your dedicated GPU, disabling it might help.
- In Device Manager, locate your integrated graphics card (Intel or AMD).
- Right-click and select Disable Device. Be cautious here, especially if you’re not familiar with hardware settings.
Keep Windows Up to Date
Sometimes, Windows itself needs a refresh to ensure compatibility with the latest game patches. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and grab any pending updates.
Disconnect Unnecessary External Devices
USB gadgets like controllers, external drives, or even overlays like Discord or Steam overlays can interfere. Try unplugging extras and disabling overlays.
- Remove all non-essential USB devices.
- Disable overlays in Steam, Discord, or other apps.
Increase Virtual Memory
When your system’s RAM gets maxed out, crashing can happen. Boosting virtual memory can help:
- Search for Advanced System Settings.
- Go to Settings under Performance.
- Click on the Advanced tab, then Change in the Virtual Memory section.
- Set the initial size to about 1.5 times your RAM (for example, if you have 8GB, set around 12288 MB) and maximum size to three times (around 24576 MB).
Install the Latest Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing or outdated Visual C++ files can cause crashes. Download the latest from [Microsoft](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-160) and install.
Perform a Clean Reinstall of ARK
When everything else fails, reinstalling from scratch might clear out lurking issues:
- Uninstall ARK through Steam.
- Delete leftover files from the installation folder manually.
- Reboot your PC.
- Reinstall the game fresh from Steam. Consider installing it on a different drive if possible—sometimes, SSD health or space issues can cause weird problems.
Extra Tips & Common Roadblocks
Always launch the game with admin rights to avoid permission issues. Back up your save files before making drastic changes—losing progress is a pain, but safety first. If crashes persist, checking ARK forums or Reddit for someone with a similar hardware setup can uncover tailored solutions. Sometimes, a simple Windows or driver update does the trick, or a specific game patch needed.
Wrap-up
Following these methods, especially toggling launch options and verifying files, can be surprisingly effective. Crashes after big updates are annoying, but more often than not it’s a compatibility hiccup or corrupted file. Keep trying different stuff; sometimes, just a clean install or driver tweak is all it takes. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid the endless crash loop in ARK after 5.5.
Summary
- Adjust launch options to find a stable graphics mode
- Reinstall BattlEye if needed
- Verify game files in Steam
- Reset configs by deleting the folder
- Update or rollback GPU drivers
- Run the game on dedicated GPU
- Update Windows & Visual C++ redistributables
- Consider a clean reinstall if crashes keep happening