If you've ever gotten bored of sticking to just one ARK map with your Xbox friend group, you know how frustrating it is to lose all your hard-earned dinos, items, and base progress when you switch to a new world. That's exactly why so many server admins look up how to cluster 2 ark xbox one servers nitrado, so players can carry their progression across connected servers without starting from scratch every time. I've set up over a dozen ARK clusters for my own friend groups and small community servers over the last three years, and I've worked out all the kinks that usually trip new admins up, so this guide will walk you through every step without the confusing jargon you'll find on random tech forums.
Pre-Requisites Before You Cluster 2 ARK Xbox One Servers on Nitrado
Before you touch any settings on your Nitrado dashboard, there are a few non-negotiable boxes you need to tick to make sure your cluster works right the first time. First, you'll need two active Nitrado ARK Xbox One server subscriptions – they don't have to be the same slot count, but they do need to be hosted in the exact same region to avoid lag and failed transfers. I made the mistake once of putting one server on US East and the other on US Central, and players were getting kicked mid-transfer every single time, so don't skip that check. Next, both servers must be running the same ARK version and matching mod set if you use custom mods. Even one missing mod or a single version mismatch will break transfers entirely, so double check this before you move on to configuration.
Here's a quick checklist to run through before you start:
- 2 active Nitrado ARK Xbox server plans assigned to the same user account
- Matching server region, ARK version, and mod/configuration settings across both servers
- At least 10% extra storage space on both servers to store cluster save data
- Full admin access to both Nitrado server dashboards
You also don't need to pay for any extra Nitrado premium features to enable clustering, it's included with all standard ARK server plans. Many new admins think they need to upgrade their plan to unlock cluster functionality, but that's a common misconception I see all the time.
Step-by-Step Cluster Configuration on the Nitrado Dashboard
First, shut down both of your servers completely before you edit any settings. Don't try to make changes while they're running, you'll risk corrupting your save files, which is the last thing you want after spending weeks building up your group's base. Once both are fully offline, open the dashboard for your first server, and navigate to the "Settings > General" tab in the left-hand menu.
Scroll until you find the "Cluster" section, and check the box that says "Enable Cluster". Next, you'll see a field for Cluster ID – make up a unique code of letters and numbers, write it down somewhere safe, because you'll need to enter the exact same code on your second server. Even a single extra space or typo will stop the cluster from connecting, so take your time entering it. Then, scroll down to the transfer settings, and enable the options for allowing item, dino, and player transfers – you can toggle off specific transfer types later if you want to restrict what players can bring between servers, but leave all on for initial testing.
Once you've saved the settings on your first server, repeat the exact same steps on your second server, entering the exact same Cluster ID you used for the first one. Don't change any other settings at this stage, we'll test the basic connection first before making custom tweaks. I usually use a Cluster ID that's a mix of my friend group's name and a random number, like "RaptorSquad837" so it's easy to remember and unlikely to overlap with other clusters on Nitrado's network.
Testing Your Cluster and Fixing Common Issues
Once you've saved the settings on both servers, start them up one at a time, waiting for the first to fully load before launching the second. This prevents conflicts that can break the cluster connection on first boot. Once both are fully online, log into the first server with your Xbox account, bring a small item like a stack of berries and a low-level dino to an obelisk or supply drop, and try to transfer to the second server. If you can see the second server listed in the transfer menu, and you spawn in with all your items and dino, your cluster is working correctly.
If it's not working, the most common issue is a mismatched Cluster ID – double check that there are no typos, extra spaces, or capitalization differences between the ID entered on both servers. I once spent three hours troubleshooting a cluster that wouldn't connect, only to realize I'd left a random space at the end of the Cluster ID on the second server, so don't overlook small details. Another common problem is crossplay settings being misaligned – if one server allows crossplay with PC and the other doesn't, they won't connect properly. If you're still having issues after checking these fixes, you can reach out to Nitrado's support team, they usually respond to ARK Xbox server queries within a few hours.
Optional Customizations to Improve Your Cluster Experience
Now that your base cluster is working as intended, you can tweak settings to fit your group's specific playstyle. For example, you can disable character transfers if you want players to have separate profiles on each map, but keep dino and item transfers enabled for cross-map resource runs. That's a popular setup for PVP clusters, so players can't bring their endgame gear onto a fresh map to bully new players.
You can also set a cluster cooldown timer to prevent players from transferring back and forth too quickly during PVP fights, which stops people from escaping battles by hopping to the other server. If you run a PVE cluster, you can enable a shared cluster storage system, so players can access a common inventory from any server in the cluster, which is super helpful for large groups that split up to farm rare resources on different maps. You can also add more servers to the cluster later on if you want to expand to more maps, just use the same Cluster ID for any new servers you add, and make sure their settings match the existing ones. I run a 3-map cluster for my friend group, and we added the third map 6 months after setting up the first two, and it only took 10 minutes to connect it to the existing cluster.
Setting up connected ARK servers doesn't have to be a complicated, time-consuming process, and once you know how to cluster 2 ark xbox one servers nitrado, you can expand your group's ARK experience exponentially without forcing everyone to start over every time you want to play a new map. Take it slow, double check your settings before you launch, and don't be afraid to tweak rules as you go to fit what your group enjoys most. Most of all, have fun exploring new maps with all the dinos and gear you worked so hard to earn.