A running ARK server may be directly joinable while missing from the in-game Unofficial list. Browser query limits, listing delays, an unreachable query port, and frequent restarts can all produce this symptom.
Configuration checks
- Confirm the server completed startup.
- Verify the game port and query port shown in the panel.
- In
GameUserSettings.ini, confirm this setting appears under[SessionSettings]:bIsLANMatch=false. - Search using a short exact part of the server name.
- Leave the server online while listings refresh.
Direct connection and favorites
Players can bypass search by adding the server to Steam favorites with its IP and query port. The query port is different from the game port on many services, so copy it from the game panel.
External listing delay
Third-party ARK listing sites may take several hours, and sometimes up to 48 hours, to detect a new registration. Do not repeatedly restart the server while waiting. If the server cannot be queried at all, send NovaGameHost support the service name, both ports, startup log, and the time of the last restart.
