Fix: Failed to Install Mod Map in ARK

The Ark game may fail to load the mod map due to the corrupt files of the Ark game or its corrupt installation. Moreover, a discontinued mod may also result in the error under discussion. The user encounters the error when he tries to launch the game or join a modded server. Some users faced the issue after a server/game update went faulty.

Before moving on with the solutions, restart your game and the Steam client and check whether this was a temporary glitch.

Solution 1: Verify Integrity of Game Files of ARK

The game files of ARK can become corrupt due to many factors (like a sudden shutdown of your system) and  can cause the error at hand because they put several modules in error states. In this context, verifying the integrity of the game files of ARK may solve the problem. The process will verify the files with the game server and the missing/corrupt files will be reacquired as fresh copies.

1. Open the Library of the Steam client.
2. Now right-click on the icon of ARK: Survival Evolved and then click on Properties.
3. Then navigate to the Local Files tab and click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.

   

4. Now, wait for the completion of the verification process.
5. Then launch the game and check if the ARK game is clear of the error.

Solution 2: Free Up Space on the System / Installation Drive of the ARK Game

Modern games require some serious storage space of your drive. You may encounter the error under discussion if your system or installation drive of the game is running out of space and is unable to cater to the expanding needs of the game. In this case, clearing storage space on your system/installation drive of the game may solve the problem.

1. Remove any unwanted games from the Steam client.
2. Then remove unwanted applications from your system.
3. Also, move the files from the system drive/installation drive of the game to another drive.
4. Perform disk clean-up on the drives.
5. After clearing-up space on the drives, make sure you have at least 20 GB space available on each drive (if system drive or installation drive of the game are different) and then launch the game to check if the ARK game is operating fine.

Solution 3: Close the Process of IGFXEM Module and Update Your System Drivers to the Latest Build

Your system’s drivers are updated regularly to improve performance by patching known bugs and catering to the latest technological advancements. However, you may encounter the error under discussion if the drivers of your system (especially the graphics driver) are outdated. The IGFXEM module process is known to create this issue. Here, updating the drivers to the latest build may solve the problem.

1. Update Windows (many OEMs preferred to use Windows update channel to update drivers) and system drivers to the latest builds. If you are using an application like GeForce Experience or Dell Support Assistant, then use that application to update the drivers of your system.
2. Then check if ARK is clear of the error.
3. If not, then try to roll back the graphics driver of your system and then check if the ARK game is operating fine.
4. If not, exit  ARK and the Steam client.
5. Right-click on the Windows button and in the menu shown, click on the Task Manager.

   

6. Now, in the processes tab, select IGFXEM (Intel Graphics Executable Main Module) process (the process will only be shown if you are using an Intel graphics card) and then click on End Task.

   

7. Then launch the Steam client and the game to check if ARK is clear of the error.
8. If so, then change the startup type of the IGFXEM process to Manual.
9. If not, repeat the above step 7 and then verify the integrity of the game files (as discussed in solution 1).
10. Now launch ARK to check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 4: Remove PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs)/ Adware from Your System

This error might also occur if the PUPs/ adware on your system is interfering in the operation of the ARK game. Removing removing these programs from your system may solve the problem.

1. Download/ install an adware removal tool. We will guide you through the process for Malwarebytes AdwCleaner.

   

2. Then launch the Malwarebytes AdwCleaner with administrative privileges.
3. Now click on the Scan Now button and then wait for the completion of the scan process.

   

4. Then select the detected PUPs/adware and click Next to clear the detected items.
5. Now launch the ARK and check if the mod map issue is resolved.

Solution 5: Move the Game Installation to a Non-System Driver

Microsoft has placed strict security measures for files/folders on your system drive (especially those related to Windows and applications), whereas, some Steam games like Ark require unrestricted access to the game files. You may encounter the current mod error if the game is installed on the system drive and ARK’s permissions are restricted. In this context, moving the game’s installation to a non-system drive may solve the problem.

1. Open the Library of the Steam client.
2. Now right-click on the Ark game and then click on Properties.
3. Now navigate to the Local Files tab and then click on Move Install Folder.

   

4. Then select a non-system drive and wait for the completion of the process.
5. Then launch the ARK and check if it is operating fine.
6. If not, verify the integrity of the game files (as discussed in solution 1) and then check if the ARK game is clear of the error.

Solution 6: Remove Problematic Mod/s

You may also encounter the error at hand if one of your mods are removed from the workshop and is not available to the player anymore. In this case, removing the problematic mod or all the mods of the game may solve the problem.

1. Remove all the DLCs of the game by unchecking the respective checkboxes and exit the game/Steam client. Make sure no game/launcher-related process is running in the Task Manager.
2. Type Explorer in the Windows Search bar on the Taskbar of your system and then in the search results shown, right-click on the Explorer and then click on Run as Administrator. Click Yes if the UAC prompt is received.

   

3. Now navigate to the following path (default mods folder location):

   C:\Program Files\Stream\SteamApps\Common\ARK\ShooterGame\Content\Mods

4. Now you will find the folders with mod names and numbers. Also, each folder will have a file with a similar name. Look for a folder that does not have a file with a similar name and delete that folder.  If you cannot delete the folder, then end the process of the IGFXEM Module (as discussed in solution 3) and try to delete the folder again. If even then, you cannot delete the folder, then repeat the above-steps after booting your system in the safe mode.
5. Now launch the server/game and check if the mod map issue is resolved.
6. If not, exit the game and open the Workshop menu for the game.
7. Now in the right lower pane of the window, under Your Workshop Files, open the dropdown of Your Files.
8. Then click on Subscribed Items.

   

9. Now note down IDs of the mods and then open the following address in a web browser (where ModID is the ID of a mod):

   http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=<ModID>

10. If the web browser could not find the address, then the mod is removed from the Steam Workshop and is the cause of the issue. You should unsubscribe from the problematic mod and delete the corresponding ID folder from the following paths (launch the Explorer with administrative privileges as discussed in step 2):

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\346110
    
    C:\Program Files\Stream\SteamApps\Common\ARK\ShooterGame\Content\Mods

11. If you can’t delete the folders, then try to end the process of the IGFXEM module (as discussed in solution 3). If this fails, then try to delete the folders after booting your system in safe mode.
12. Repeat the process for all the mods.
13. Now restart your server/Steam client and check if the Ark game is operating fine.

If this doesn’t work, open the Ark Workshop and then unsubscribe from all the mods.

1. Now open the File Explorer with administrative privileges (as discussed in step 2) and navigate to the following path:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\346110

2. Now empty the folder by deleting all of its contents.
3. Then navigate to the following path:

   C:\Program Files\Stream\SteamApps\Common\ARK\ShooterGame\Content\Mods

4. Now empty the mods folder by deleting all of its contents.
5. If you cannot delete the contents of the above folders, try the steps of disabling the process and trying through safe mode as discussed above.
6. Then verify the integrity of the game files (as discussed in solution 1).
7. Now check if the Ark game is clear of the mod map error.

Solution 7: Reinstall the Ark Game

You may encounter the mod map error in the Ark game if the installation of the game itself is corrupt (and verifying the integrity of the game files did not help). In this scenario, reinstalling the game may solve the problem.

1. Remove all the game mods as discussed in solution 6.
2. Boot your system into the safe mode.
3. Now launch the Steam client and open its Library.
4. Then right-click on the Ark game and then click on Delete Content (which will uninstall the game).

   

5. Now follow the prompts on your screen to uninstall the Ark game and then restart your system.
6. Then, once again boot into the safe mode.
7. Now  open the File Explorer and navigate to the following path:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common

8. Now delete the Ark folder and then navigate to the following folder:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\workshop/content

9. Now delete the folder labeled as 346110 and restart your system.
10. Upon restart, install the Ark game and hopefully, the mod map issue is resolved.