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Fixing ARK Survival Keeps Opening In VR: Solutions & Tips

11 min read 11-15- 2024
Fixing ARK Survival Keeps Opening In VR: Solutions & Tips

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If you’re an avid player of ARK: Survival Evolved, you may have encountered an issue where the game unexpectedly launches in Virtual Reality (VR) mode. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you're not equipped or interested in playing in VR. Thankfully, there are several solutions and tips that can help you address this problem. In this article, we’ll delve into the causes and provide practical solutions to ensure you can enjoy ARK without any VR interruptions. 🎮

Understanding the VR Mode in ARK

ARK: Survival Evolved has a robust VR mode that allows players to immerse themselves in the game world like never before. However, many players are not prepared for or wish to engage with this feature. This can lead to confusion and frustration if the game continues to launch in VR mode without your consent.

Why Does ARK Open in VR Mode?

There are a few reasons why ARK might launch in VR:

  1. Game Settings: Sometimes, the game settings may default to VR mode due to previous configurations or updates.
  2. SteamVR: If you have SteamVR installed, it may prioritize launching games in VR if it detects compatible hardware.
  3. Graphics Settings: The configuration files or graphics settings might have been altered, causing the game to mistakenly interpret your setup as VR-capable.

Solutions to Fix ARK Opening in VR Mode

If you find that ARK keeps launching in VR, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Check ARK’s Launch Options

One of the first things you should do is check the game's launch options in Steam.

  1. Open Steam.

  2. Go to your Library and find ARK: Survival Evolved.

  3. Right-click on the game and select Properties.

  4. In the General tab, locate the Launch Options section.

  5. If you see any text that includes "vr" or similar, remove it.

    Important Note:

    Launch options should be kept clean; unnecessary text can confuse the game.

2. Disable SteamVR

If you’re not using VR, disabling SteamVR can be beneficial:

  1. Open Steam.
  2. Click on Steam in the upper left corner and select Settings.
  3. Go to the In-Game tab and uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.
  4. Close Steam, restart your computer, and then launch ARK again.

3. Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can also cause issues:

  1. Open Steam.

  2. Navigate to your Library and right-click on ARK: Survival Evolved.

  3. Select Properties, then go to the Local Files tab.

  4. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

    Important Note:

    This process may take some time, but it can fix many issues related to game performance.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause problems with how games interpret settings, including VR:

  1. Check which graphics card you have (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
  2. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers.
  3. Install the updates and restart your computer.

5. Modify Configuration Files

Sometimes, ARK’s configuration files need adjustment:

  1. Navigate to the ARK configuration folder (usually found in C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\ARK).
  2. Look for a file called GameUserSettings.ini.
  3. Open it with a text editor (like Notepad).
  4. Look for any entries that may pertain to VR settings and adjust them accordingly.
  5. Save and exit.

Additional Tips

6. Launch the Game without VR

If you want to force the game to launch without VR, you can use the following method:

  1. Go to the ARK game folder.
  2. Locate the ARK.exe file.
  3. Create a shortcut of the executable on your desktop.
  4. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties.
  5. In the Target field, add -novr at the end of the target path (after the quotation marks).

7. Check Other Steam Settings

Occasionally, other Steam settings may need adjustment:

  1. Navigate back to Steam Settings.
  2. Under the Controller settings, check if there’s any VR-related setting enabled and disable it.

8. Run ARK in Compatibility Mode

Running the game in compatibility mode can sometimes bypass VR issues:

  1. Right-click on the ARK.exe file.
  2. Select Properties, then go to the Compatibility tab.
  3. Check the box that says Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 8 or Windows 7.

9. Reinstall SteamVR

If SteamVR is causing the game to launch incorrectly, consider reinstalling it:

  1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
  2. Locate SteamVR, right-click, and select Uninstall.
  3. Reboot your system and then reinstall SteamVR if you need to.

Summary Table of Solutions

<table> <tr> <th>Solution</th> <th>Steps</th> <th>Notes</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Check ARK’s Launch Options</td> <td>Open Steam > Library > Properties > General > Launch Options</td> <td>Remove any 'vr' entries</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Disable SteamVR</td> <td>Open Steam > Settings > In-Game > Uncheck Overlay</td> <td>Restart Steam after changes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Verify Game Files</td> <td>Open Steam > Library > Properties > Local Files > Verify</td> <td>Fixes corrupted files</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Update Graphics Drivers</td> <td>Visit manufacturer’s website > Download latest drivers</td> <td>Required for optimal performance</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Modify Configuration Files</td> <td>Navigate to ARK config folder > Edit GameUserSettings.ini</td> <td>Make sure VR settings are adjusted</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Launch Game without VR</td> <td>Create shortcut > Add -novr</td> <td>Forces game to not use VR mode</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Check Other Steam Settings</td> <td>Open Settings > Controller > Disable VR settings</td> <td>Ensures no conflicting settings</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Run ARK in Compatibility Mode</td> <td>Right-click ARK.exe > Properties > Compatibility</td> <td>Can resolve launching issues</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Reinstall SteamVR</td> <td>Open Library > Uninstall SteamVR > Reboot</td> <td>Only if necessary</td> </tr> </table>

Conclusion

Dealing with ARK: Survival Evolved launching in VR mode can be a nuisance, but with the right solutions and tips, you can resolve the issue quickly. By understanding the settings and options available, you can enjoy your gaming experience without the frustration of unexpected VR launches. Follow the outlined steps carefully, and ensure that your settings are optimized for standard gameplay. Happy surviving! 🦖🌍

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