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If you play Ark: Survival Evolved in single-player mode on Windows 11, you might have noticed that your settings sometimes don’t save properly. This can be frustrating, especially after spending time customizing your game preferences.

Fortunately, there are several straightforward steps you can follow to fix this issue. These solutions range from simple file permission checks to more advanced troubleshooting.

This article will guide you through each step in a clear and detailed way, ensuring even beginners can follow along without confusion.

By the end, you should be able to enjoy Ark with your preferred settings saving correctly every time.

Quick Note Before You Begin

• Make sure Ark is completely closed before making any changes to files or settings.
• Backup your current settings files if possible, to prevent accidental loss.
• Check that your Windows 11 system is updated to avoid compatibility issues.
• Ensure you have administrator access on your PC, since some fixes require changes in file permissions or system files.

Step 1: Run Ark as Administrator

One common reason settings fail to save is because the game doesn’t have the necessary permissions to write files. Running Ark as an administrator can fix this.

1. Right-click on the Ark shortcut or executable file.
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab.
4. Check the box labeled Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click Apply, then OK.
6. Launch Ark again and try changing your settings.

This step grants Ark elevated privileges, allowing it to save configuration files without restrictions.

Step 2: Check File Permissions for Ark’s Configuration Folder

Ark stores single-player settings in specific folders. If Windows blocks write access, your changes won’t save. You need to ensure Ark has full control over its settings folder.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following folder:
   C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalARKSavedConfigWindowsNoEditor
2. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
3. Go to the Security tab.
4. Click Edit to change permissions.
5. Select your user account from the list.
6. In the permissions box below, check the box for Full control.
7. Click Apply and then OK.
8. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
9. Try saving your settings in the game again.

Allowing full control ensures the game can read and write configuration files without interference.

Step 3: Disable Steam Cloud Sync (If Using Steam)

If you play Ark through Steam, Steam Cloud syncing may sometimes overwrite your local settings with outdated files, causing your changes not to save properly.

1. Open the Steam client.
2. Navigate to your Library and right-click on Ark.
3. Select Properties.
4. Under the General tab, find the option Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for Ark.
5. Uncheck this box to disable cloud syncing temporarily.
6. Close Steam and relaunch the game.
7. Change your settings and verify if they save now.

Disabling Steam Cloud helps prevent conflicts between online and local save files.

Step 4: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted or missing files can cause unexpected behavior, including issues with saving settings.

1. Open the Steam client.
2. Go to your Library.
3. Right-click Ark and select Properties.
4. Click on the Local Files tab.
5. Select Verify integrity of game files.
6. Wait for Steam to scan and repair any files.
7. Launch Ark and test your settings again.

This process ensures your game installation is complete and uncorrupted.

Step 5: Reset Ark Settings to Default

If your settings files have become corrupted, resetting them may resolve the problem.

1. Navigate back to the Ark settings folder:
   C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalARKSavedConfigWindowsNoEditor
2. Find the files named GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini.
3. Make a backup copy of these files by copying them to a safe location.
4. Delete the original files from the folder.
5. Launch Ark. The game will generate new default configuration files.
6. Adjust your settings as desired and check if they now save properly.

Starting fresh can fix issues caused by corrupted or conflicting configuration data.

Alternative Method: Use Compatibility Mode

If running as administrator doesn’t help, try running Ark in compatibility mode for an earlier version of Windows.

1. Right-click the Ark executable or shortcut.
2. Select Properties > Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 10 or an earlier version.
4. Click Apply and then OK.
5. Run the game and test saving settings again.

This can help if Windows 11 introduces compatibility issues with Ark.

FAQs

Why does Ark not save my single-player settings on Windows 11?

Common reasons include insufficient file permissions, interference from Steam Cloud syncing, corrupted configuration files, or compatibility issues with Windows 11.

Will running Ark as administrator harm my PC?

No. Running Ark as administrator simply grants it additional permissions to write files and does not pose a security risk if the game is from a trusted source.

Can I lose my saved games by deleting configuration files?

No. Game saves are stored separately from configuration files. Back up your files just to be safe, but deleting config files only resets your settings.

Is disabling Steam Cloud safe?

Yes, but keep in mind that your save files won’t be backed up to the cloud while it is disabled. Re-enable it once your issue is fixed if you want cloud backups.

What if none of these steps fix the problem?

See the When Nothing Works section below for additional options.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and Ark still won’t save single-player settings on Windows 11, you can try the following final options:

• Reinstall Ark: Uninstall the game completely and reinstall it fresh. This can fix any deep file corruption issues.
• Update Windows and Drivers: Make sure your Windows 11 system and graphics drivers are fully updated.
• Contact Official Support: Visit the Ark Official Support Forums or Steam Support for help from the developers and community.
• Check for Mods: If you use mods, disable them temporarily as they might interfere with saving settings.

Conclusion

Ark single-player settings not saving on Windows 11 can be caused by various permission and compatibility issues. Starting with simple fixes like running as administrator and checking file permissions usually resolves the problem.

Disabling Steam Cloud and verifying game files help if syncing conflicts or file corruption occur. Resetting config files is a useful step if settings remain stuck.

By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to fix the issue and enjoy a smooth Ark gameplay experience with your settings reliably saved.