How to Fix ARK Mods That Will Not Load

Published 8 June 2026 · By Host Havoc Technical Support Team

When ARK: Survival Evolved mods do not load, the cause is almost always one of three things: the mod files are not installed, the ActiveMods setting is wrong, or old saved data is rejecting them. Work through each below. If you are setting mods up for the first time, start with how to add mods.

The mod files are not installed

Install each mod through the panel's ARK Mod Updater, then confirm the folders landed in ShooterGame/Content/Mods using the File Manager.

The ActiveMods setting is wrong

Open GameUserSettings.ini in the Config Editor and check the ActiveMods line:

  1. List only the Steam Workshop collection IDs.
  2. Separate them with commas.
  3. Do not put a comma after the last ID.

Old saved data is rejecting the mods

Some mods only load on a clean save. If the files are installed and ActiveMods is correct but a mod still will not load, reset your saved data and restart.

Tip: Reset your saved data whenever you add or remove mods. It prevents the conflicts that cause mods to silently fail.