Anyone who's played ARK with friends on a non dedicated server knows that gut punch moment when you're halfway to a cool new biome, and suddenly you get snapped back to the host because you hit the tether limit. It breaks immersion, ruins resource runs, and makes group exploration almost impossible if you don't all stick within a tiny radius. If you're tired of that frustration, we're breaking down exactly how 2 remove tether on ARK non dedicated server setups, with no complicated modding required for most versions. We've tested every method across 3 different launchers and 5 official maps to make sure these steps work for casual and modded playthroughs alike.
Why the Non Dedicated Server Tether Limit Exists (And Its Hidden Downsides)
The default tether limit isn't just a random restriction developers added to annoy players. It's a performance safeguard for non dedicated servers, where the same device runs both the host's game instance and the server for all connected players. The tether keeps all players within a small radius, so the host's CPU and RAM don't have to load multiple separate areas of the map at the same time. The default tether limit is set to prioritize host performance over multiplayer freedom, which is why it's so restrictive for groups of 2 or more players.
But that tradeoff isn't worth it for most casual groups who just want to play together without restrictions. I've had entire taming runs ruined because the host had to run back to their base for extra narcotics, and I got pulled away from a nearly tamed Giga mid-feed. Other common frustrations include not being able to split up to farm different resources, getting dragged into dangerous fights the host stumbles into, and never being able to explore remote areas of the map as a group. Even if you have a high-end gaming PC, the default tether limit will hold your play sessions back.
Step-by-Step Methods to Remove Tether on ARK Non Dedicated Server
There are two simple, reliable methods to get rid of the tether limit, depending on how comfortable you are editing game files. Both take less than 10 minutes to set up, and neither requires paying for a separate dedicated server. If you're not comfortable editing config files, the mod option is the fastest way to handle how 2 remove tether on ARK non dedicated server setups with zero technical work.
The first method is editing your GameUserSettings.ini file. First, close ARK completely to avoid conflicting save changes. Navigate to your game's config folder: for Steam users, that's Steam/steamapps/common/ARK/Survival Evolved/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor, and for Epic Games users, it's Epic Games/ARK/Saved/Config/WindowsNoEditor. Open the GameUserSettings.ini file, find the [ServerSettings] section, and add or edit the line TetherDistanceMultiplier=100.0. Save the file, and restart your server for changes to take effect. Always make a backup of your GameUserSettings.ini file before editing, so you can revert if something breaks.
The second method is using a dedicated tether removal mod from the Steam Workshop. The most popular and well-maintained option is the "Unlimited Non Dedicated Tether" mod, which has over 1 million downloads and is updated regularly for new ARK versions. Just subscribe to the mod on the host's account, enable it in your server's mod list before launching, and the tether will be automatically removed for all connected players. Note that all players joining the server will need to have the mod installed too, so send them the mod link before they join to avoid version mismatch errors.
Key Settings to Adjust Alongside Tether Removal for Smoother Gameplay
Removing the tether does put extra strain on the host's device, so you'll need to adjust a few other settings to avoid lag, rubber banding, or crashes during long play sessions. These tweaks are minor, but they make a huge difference in performance even for hosts with mid-range hardware. I've tested these settings with 4 players on Fjordur, the largest official ARK map, and we had zero crashes or major lag over 8-hour play sessions.
- Host CPU and RAM allocation: Close all background apps on the host's PC before starting the server, and allocate at least 8GB of RAM to ARK if you're running with 3 or more players. Turn off browser tabs, streaming apps, and other game launchers to free up extra processing power.
- View distance tweaks: Lower the host's view distance and shadow quality settings slightly to compensate for the extra load of tracking players across larger map areas. You don't have to drop everything to minimum, just lower view distance from 100 to 75 for a noticeable performance boost with almost no visual difference.
- Max player count limit: Keep non dedicated server player counts under 5, even with unlimited tether, since the host's PC can only handle so much simultaneous activity. If you want to play with more than 5 people, you'll get much better performance from a cheap dedicated server.
- Structure render distance: Set the structure render distance multiplier to 0.75 if you notice lag when players are far apart, as loading distant bases is one of the biggest performance drains for non dedicated servers.
You don't have to adjust all these settings if your host has a high-end PC with 16GB of RAM or more, but they're a good starting point if you run into performance issues after removing the tether. If you notice frequent rubber banding after removing the tether, your first fix should be lowering the host's graphical settings, not raising the tether multiplier higher. Most rubber banding issues come from overloading the host's GPU, not from a low tether setting.
Common Tether Removal Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the process is simple, there are a few common mistakes that can cause crashes, mod conflicts, or make your changes not take effect at all. We've made most of these mistakes ourselves, so you don't have to waste time troubleshooting avoidable issues.
The biggest mistake is setting the TetherDistanceMultiplier way too high, like 9999 or higher, because you think it will give you more freedom. You don't need a multiplier higher than 100 to cover the full size of any official ARK map, even the largest ones like Fjordur. Setting it higher only puts unnecessary strain on the host's device and increases the chance of random crashes. Another common mistake is forgetting to save the ini file after editing, or not restarting the server before testing the changes. The game only loads config settings on launch, so you have to fully close and restart ARK for your edits to work.
If you're using the mod method, don't forget to make sure all connected players have the mod installed and enabled before joining. Mismatched mod lists are the number one cause of connection errors for non dedicated servers. Also, avoid using outdated tether removal mods that haven't been updated in over a year, as they will conflict with newer ARK patches and other popular mods like Structures Plus or Primal Fear.
At the end of the day, messing with server settings is supposed to make your ARK play sessions more fun, not more stressful. Whether you use the quick ini tweak or a simple mod to work out how 2 remove tether on ARK non dedicated server setups, you'll be able to explore, tame, and build with your friends without the constant fear of getting snapped back across the map mid-task. Start with the conservative settings we outlined first, adjust based on your host's hardware, and you'll have a seamless multiplayer experience without paying for a separate dedicated server.