If you’ve ever tried to jump into Ark with your best friend or partner only to hit weird connection errors, lag spikes, or lost save files, you’re not alone. I’ve spent dozens of hours troubleshooting co-op setups for my own playthroughs, and I’ve got a foolproof method to get your shared world running without the usual headaches. This guide breaks down exactly how to run 2 player world in Ark, whether you’re playing on PC, console, or using a non-dedicated server for casual play. You don’t need fancy hosting or advanced tech skills to pull this off, just 10 minutes of setup time and a few small setting tweaks to keep your run smooth.
Step-by-Step Setup for a Non-Dedicated 2 Player Ark World
Non-dedicated servers are the easiest, free option for casual 2 player play, and they work for every platform Ark supports, from Steam to Xbox to Playstation. The only catch is that the host has to be online and in the world for the second player to join, which is fine if you usually play at the same time anyway.
First, make sure host device requirements are met before you start: the host needs a stable internet connection with at least 5Mbps upload speed, 16GB of RAM if playing on PC, and enough free storage for save files that will grow as you explore new areas of the map. Console hosts don’t need extra RAM, but you should close all other open games or apps before launching Ark to avoid crashes.
Launch Ark and select “Host/Local” from the main menu, then pick the map you want to play on. Head to the General settings tab first, and set the Non-Dedicated Host Tether Distance to the maximum 99999. This is the most common mistake new players make: the default tether is only a few hundred feet, so the second player will get pulled right back to the host if they wander too far. Maxing this setting lets you explore separate areas of the map without restrictions, even on console. Check the “Private Match” box so random players can’t join your world, then click “Host” and wait for the world to load. Once it’s live, the second player can search for your gamertag or Steam name in the “Join Ark” menu, filter for non-dedicated servers, and join in seconds.
Critical Settings Tweaks to Avoid Lag and Lost Saves in Your 2 Player World
Even if you get the setup right, default Ark settings are not optimized for 2 player co-op, and you’ll probably run into lag spikes or save corruption if you don’t adjust a few things first. These tweaks take 2 minutes to apply and fix 90% of common co-op issues.
First, lower the view distance for both players to 6 or lower. Ark is an incredibly graphics-heavy game, and high view distance puts unnecessary strain on the host’s device, even if you have a top-tier gaming PC. You won’t notice much of a visual difference, but you’ll cut lag by almost 70% in most cases. Disable Dynamic Tessellation and Motion Blur in the graphics settings too, those features barely add any visual value but use a ton of processing power.
Next, adjust your save settings: set the auto-save interval to 15 minutes instead of the default 5, and turn off auto-cleanse for dead dinos. Saving too often causes random lag spikes for both players, and 15 minutes is frequent enough that you won’t lose much progress if the game crashes. Remember the save backup rule: every time you finish a play session, the host should make a copy of the world save file and store it in a separate folder. Co-op saves get corrupted far more often than single-player saves, and a backup will save you from losing 50+ hours of base building and taming.
Avoid these common setup mistakes to keep your run smooth:
- Don't use mods unless both players have the exact same mod list installed and updated to the same version, even one mismatched mod will cause connection errors or crashes
- Don't let the host close the game before the second player has exited the world first, this can corrupt the save file or erase the second player's inventory and progress
- Don't set the difficulty level higher than 5 if you're both new to Ark, you'll end up facing level 150 dinos before you have the gear to defend yourself
How to Run 2 Player World in Ark With a Dedicated Server for Long-Term Play
If you plan on playing your shared world for more than a few weeks, or you want the option to play separately without coordinating schedules, a dedicated server is a way better option than a non-dedicated setup. There’s no tether limit, the host doesn’t have to be online for the other player to join, and lag is almost non-existent if you set it up correctly.
You have two options for dedicated servers: host one on a spare PC you have lying around, or pay for a cheap third-party hosting service that runs the server 24/7. If you host on your own device, you’ll need to forward port 27015 on your router, and make sure your internet plan has at least 10Mbps upload speed to avoid lag during busy play sessions. Third-party hosting costs around $5-$10 a month for a 2 player slot, which is worth it if you don’t want to leave a PC running all the time.
The biggest benefit of a dedicated server for 2 players is that you can both log in and play whenever you want, no schedule coordination required. I switched to a cheap dedicated server for me and my partner’s playthrough last year, and we cut our lag issues by 90% and didn’t have to worry about save corruption anymore, even when we played for 4+ hours at a time. You can also adjust settings like taming speed or dino spawn rates even when no one is online, so you don’t have to interrupt play sessions to tweak your world rules.
Co-op Play Tips to Make Your 2 Player Ark World More Fun
Once your world is set up and running smoothly, these small tips will make your playthrough way more enjoyable, instead of filled with arguments over who forgot to feed the tames. First, split roles early on: one player can focus on taming and gathering rare resources, while the other focuses on building and crafting gear, so you don’t waste time doing the same tasks twice. I like to be the tamer in my playthroughs, while my partner builds our bases and handles cooking and resource processing, it works perfectly for us.
Set shared pin codes for all your containers and doors so you don’t lock each other out of storage or the base. Nothing kills a playthrough faster than a fight over who changed the pin code on the dino food storage. Also, make sure you both have a spare set of gear and a bed at your main base, so if one of you dies far from home, you don’t have to walk all the way back naked to get your items.
Don’t be afraid to adjust settings as you go, either. If taming feels too slow, crank up the taming speed multiplier. If you keep dying to random raptor attacks while you’re gathering, lower the wild dino damage. It’s your 2 player world, you don’t have to play by the default settings to have fun. You can also set up shared taming pens and storage areas to make your world feel more like a shared home, instead of two separate players sharing a map.
Setting up a shared co-op playthrough in Ark doesn’t have to be a frustrating mess of connection errors and lost progress. With the right setup steps and a few small setting tweaks, you can have a stable, fun world to explore with your favorite play partner for months. Once you know how to run 2 player world in Ark, you can tweak your settings, add mods, or even expand to include more friends later on if you want. The best part of Ark is sharing the chaos of taming a T-Rex or fighting off a raptor attack with someone else, and these tips will make sure you get to focus on the fun parts instead of troubleshooting technical issues. Just remember to back up your saves regularly, and don’t forget to bring extra narcotics when you go taming.