How to Reset Your ARK Server's Data and Config

Published June 8, 2026 · By Host Havoc Technical Support Team

Resetting an ARK: Survival Evolved server covers two separate jobs: restoring your configuration to defaults, and wiping the saved world and player data. This guide handles both from the control panel. If you are resetting to clear a broken mod setup, review how to add mods before you rebuild it.

Before you start: Resetting your config restores ARK's default server settings. Note any custom rates, rules, or admin settings first so you can re-apply them afterward.

Reset your config files

  1. Log into the game panel and open your ARK service.
  2. Stop the server.
  3. Open GameUserSettings.ini in the configuration file editor. The button is in the lower section of the panel when you are viewing your service.
  4. Select all the text in the file and delete it.
  5. Start the server. ARK regenerates a clean GameUserSettings.ini with default values.

Note: On disk the file lives at ShooterGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/GameUserSettings.ini (or the LinuxServer folder on a Linux host), so you can also clear it over FTP.

Reset the world and player data

This wipes your map, structures, and player progress.

  1. Stop the server.
  2. Open the File Manager.
  3. Go to ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks.
  4. Delete every file in the folder.
  5. Start the server to generate a fresh world.

Tip: This is much faster over an FTP client when the folder is large. After a reset, have players reconnect using our guide on joining your ARK server.