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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo host a Rust server in 2026, install the dedicated server with SteamCMD (App ID 258550), configure RustDedicated, and expose only the ports required for the way people will connect. You can run it on Windows, Linux, or macOS hardware you control, or rent dedicated resources. The official baseline is 12 GB of free RAM and 15 GB of free disk space, with SSD/NVMe storage preferred; larger maps and busier servers need more.
The reliable order is: choose the machine, install and update the files, create an identity and configuration, launch and test locally, then configure firewall and router rules for public or private access. The sections below cover each step, including Rust+, custom maps, administration, security, and the failures that most often prevent players from joining.
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Choose where the server will run
A small friends-only server can run on a spare desktop or another machine on your own connection. You control the operating system, files, update schedule, backups, and every server setting, but you are also responsible for router forwarding, firewall rules, uptime, and protecting the machine. A rented dedicated server removes most home-network administration and may include infrastructure controls, but the exact hardware, network access, backup tools, DDoS protection, support, billing, and cancellation terms depend on the provider. No single player capacity can be inferred from a RAM number alone: map size, population, plugins, and the rest of the workload all change resource use.
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|---|---|---|
| Setup work | Install the operating system, SteamCMD, the server, firewall rules, and router forwarding. Keep the machine and connection available. | Install or deploy through the service’s tools and confirm what access you have to files, ports, and the operating system. |
| Resource planning | Choose the CPU, memory, storage, and network connection yourself. Upgrade when the workload grows. | Compare allocated memory, CPU, disk type and capacity, map size limits, and any traffic or slot limits in the selected plan. |
| Network control | You must provide a reachable public route, a stable LAN address, and correct firewall and port-forwarding rules. | Check whether you receive a public address, can select ports, can manage firewall rules, and can choose a suitable region for latency. |
| Security and recovery | Plan OS updates, backups of the identity and configuration, access control, and protection against unwanted traffic. | Verify DDoS protection, backup and restore access, account security, and how quickly you can recover the server files. |
| Commercial terms | There is no hosting bill, but you pay in hardware, electricity, bandwidth, and maintenance. | Check the current price, billing period, cancellation policy, support scope, and included management before committing. |
For a hidden server, Facepunch’s dedicated guidance specifically discusses infrastructure with strong DDoS protection. That is a security consideration, not a guarantee supplied by every rental service. See the official hidden-server guidance for that use case.
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Hardware and operating-system requirements
Facepunch’s living server-creation documentation supports Windows, Linux, and macOS. It lists these baseline requirements:
- 12 GB of free RAM. The same page notes that a 6k map uses more memory. Treat this as a starting point, not a player-count guarantee.
- 15 GB of free disk space. SSD or NVMe storage is highly preferred, because the server repeatedly reads and writes world, player, log, and update data.
- A stable network connection. Local testing works without an internet-facing route, but players outside your LAN need a public route to the machine.
Actual needs vary with world size, population, plugins, and workload. Leave headroom instead of allocating exactly the published minimum, particularly when generating a larger procedural map or running additional services. The figures above are dedicated-server guidance; do not substitute the separate client-game figures on Facepunch’s client purchase and installation page.
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Rust’s dedicated files are installed and updated through SteamCMD. You do not need a Steam account to install or run the server, although every player joining must own Rust. Create a dedicated directory before installing so that server files, identities, logs, and backups are easy to find.
Windows installation
- Download and extract SteamCMD from Valve’s distribution, then create a directory such as
C:rust-serverfor the Rust files. - Open a command prompt in the SteamCMD directory and run an anonymous installation, replacing the path if necessary:
steamcmd +force_install_dir C:rust-server +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit - Wait for SteamCMD to report completion. Run the same update command whenever you deliberately update the server.
Linux installation
- Install SteamCMD using your distribution’s supported package or Valve’s archive, and create a directory such as
/srv/rust-serverowned by the account that will run the service. - From the SteamCMD directory, use the equivalent anonymous install command:
./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /srv/rust-server +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit - Keep the server account separate from root where practical, and give it write access only to the installation and backup locations it needs.
macOS installation
Use SteamCMD for macOS, select a dedicated installation directory, and run the same anonymous app_update 258550 validate sequence. Confirm that the current Rust server documentation and the SteamCMD build you install support the macOS release you intend to use.
Use the current official procedure rather than copying old one-click bundles. Facepunch warns that an older quick-install example is obsolete: -autoupdate is no longer a valid feature, and the old sample invokes SteamCMD twice unnecessarily. The maintained instructions are on Creating a server.
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Create an identity and configure the server
An identity gives this server its own data directory. It lets you keep separate worlds and configurations on one installation and makes backups unambiguous. Choose a stable name such as friends2026; changing it later points the process at a different data directory rather than renaming the old one.
Useful launch settings
Start RustDedicated.exe on Windows or the Linux dedicated-server executable/script in batch mode. The following is an illustrative launch line; choose values that fit your machine and network:
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode +server.identity 'friends2026' +server.port 28015 +server.queryport 28017 +server.worldsize 3000 +server.seed 123456 +server.maxplayers 50 +server.hostname 'Friends Rust 2026' +server.description 'Private weekend server' +rcon.port 28016 +rcon.password 'replace-with-a-long-secret' +rcon.web 1On Linux, use the installed Rust dedicated-server executable in place of RustDedicated.exe and keep the same +setting value syntax. The important choices are:
server.port: the UDP game port players use to connect.server.queryport: a separate UDP port used for server-browser discovery.server.worldsizeandserver.seed: the procedural map dimensions and generation seed.server.maxplayers: the connection limit you choose; it is not a promise that the hardware can sustain that many players.server.hostnameandserver.description: the identity players see in listings and connection interfaces.server.identity: the name of the data directory containing this server’s world and configuration.rcon.port,rcon.password, andrcon.web: remote administration settings. Use a unique, strong password.
Put persistent values in server.cfg
After the first launch creates the identity directory, stop the process and put ordinary persistent settings in that identity’s cfg/server.cfg. Facepunch states that these settings are read at startup and take precedence over command-line values, so a value in the file can override what you keep adding to a launch script. Keep the launch script for the identity and other process-level choices, and keep routine world, naming, player-limit, and administration values in one documented configuration file.
When you change a setting, stop the server cleanly, edit the file, and start it again. Keep a dated copy of server.cfg with your backups so a bad edit can be reversed quickly.
Start, test, and confirm the process
- Launch the server in batch mode and watch its console output. Do not treat the window appearing as proof that the world is ready; wait for the startup-complete message.
- On the same computer, open Rust’s in-game console and connect to the configured game port, for example
connect localhost:28015when the game port is 28015. - Verify that the expected hostname, world size, seed, and player limit are active. If a value is wrong, inspect the identity’s
server.cfgbefore changing network rules. - Test from another device on the same LAN if possible. This separates a server-process problem from an internet routing problem.
- Only after local and LAN tests succeed should you expose the selected ports to the public internet.
The localhost test and startup-complete check are documented in Facepunch’s server creation instructions.
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Open the right ports for public play
A server on a private LAN is not automatically reachable from the internet. Assign the host a stable local address, then create router port-forwarding rules that send traffic on the public address to that machine. If the local address changes, the rule can silently point at the wrong computer.
| Service | Protocol | What it does | When to expose it |
|---|---|---|---|
server.port |
UDP | Game traffic and direct player connections. | Required for players outside the host machine or LAN. |
server.queryport |
UDP | Steam/server-browser discovery. | Open it when you want the server listed in the browser. It must differ from the game port. |
rcon.port |
TCP | Remote administration. | Expose only when needed, and restrict it with firewall rules and a strong password. |
| Rust+ companion port | TCP | Connection for the Rust+ companion service. | Open only if you enable Rust+; calculate it as described below. |
Facepunch documents server.port and server.queryport as UDP and requires both for browser visibility; they cannot use the same port. RCON uses TCP. These details are in the official server guide and the Rust+ server documentation.
Public server
Forward the game UDP port and query UDP port to the stable LAN address. Allow the same ports through the host operating system’s firewall. Players can then find the server through the browser or connect directly using the public address and game port. Add RCON or Rust+ only after the basic game connection works.
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Private or hidden server
A server that is difficult to find is not automatically access-controlled. Facepunch’s hidden-server guide recommends blocking the Steam query port to prevent browser listing. Friends can still connect through the game port if your chosen access method allows them to do so. Nonstandard ports may reduce casual scanning, but port obscurity is not authentication: keep firewall rules and actual access control in place.
Control who can join
Rust does not provide a built-in whitelist system according to Facepunch’s hidden-server documentation. For a small group, give players the connection address privately and use the available queue or plugin approaches when you need stronger control.
Owner and moderator permissions
Facepunch documents adding an owner or moderator with their SteamID through server commands, or editing users.cfg while the server is stopped. On Linux, RCON can be used to send commands after the service is running. Keep the SteamIDs and role assignments in an administrator record, and avoid granting owner-level access when moderator permissions are sufficient.
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Whitelist plugins and skip-queue access
The hidden-server guide describes an Oxide/uMod whitelist plugin and the built-in skip-queue alternative. A plugin-based setup adds maintenance: Facepunch notes that Oxide must be installed again after server updates, and SteamCMD can revert files to a vanilla state. If you use a plugin, record its version and configuration, test it after each Rust update, and keep a rollback copy of the server identity.
Configure RCON safely
RCON is useful for administration without joining the game, but it is an internet-facing control plane if you forward its port. Replace any example password before the first public launch, use a long unique secret, and do not publish it in screenshots, chat, or configuration files shared with players.
- Allow TCP access only from administrator addresses when your firewall supports source restrictions.
- Use the configured RCON port rather than assuming it is the game port.
- Keep
rcon.web 1only when your chosen RCON client requires the web-enabled mode documented by Facepunch. - Back up the configuration securely; a leaked RCON password is equivalent to handing over server controls.
Enable Rust+ when you need companion features
Rust+ uses a companion server endpoint separate from ordinary game traffic. Facepunch documents the default TCP companion port as the greater of the game port plus 67 or the RCON port plus 67. With a game port of 28015 and an RCON port of 28016, that calculation produces TCP port 28083. If you choose different ports, calculate the value again rather than copying this example.
- Start the server and inspect its
app.infooutput if you need to confirm the companion settings. - Forward and allow the calculated companion TCP port to the server machine.
- Keep
companion.idbeside the server identity and include it in protected backups. - Never share
companion.id, reuse it on another server, or delete it casually. Players may have to pair their Rust+ accounts again if the identity changes.
The port calculation and identity warning come from Facepunch’s Rust+ server documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Host a custom map
Procedural maps do not need an external map download, but a custom map adds a web-hosting dependency. Facepunch says the map file must be on a public website that remains available continuously. New players download the map from that URL rather than from the Rust server itself. A temporary link, a machine that sleeps, or a URL that requires authentication will prevent new clients from obtaining the file.
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Backups, updates, and routine maintenance
Back up the parts that define the server
At minimum, back up the identity directory, including server.cfg, world data, user permissions, logs you need for diagnosis, and Rust+ companion.id. Store a copy away from the running machine. A backup that exists only on the same disk does not protect against disk failure or an accidental directory deletion.
Update deliberately
Stop the server cleanly, copy the identity and configuration, then run SteamCMD with app_update 258550 validate. Start the server and check the console for completion before allowing players back in. If you use Oxide/uMod, reinstall or verify it after the update as Facepunch warns that updates can restore vanilla files. Do not assume a third-party startup bundle still supports flags that the official guide has removed.
Watch resource use
Monitor free RAM, CPU load, disk space, and storage latency while players are online. If the process approaches the machine’s limits, reduce the world size or player limit, remove unnecessary plugins, or move to stronger hardware before the operating system starts swapping or the server stops responding. The official 12 GB figure is not a formula for a guaranteed population.
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Troubleshoot the common failures
The server is running but absent from the browser
- Confirm that
server.queryportis set, is different fromserver.port, and is forwarded as UDP. - Check the host firewall and router rule for the same port number.
- Confirm that the process is using the identity and ports you think it is; a stale
server.cfgcan override launch arguments. - For a deliberately hidden server, absence from the browser may be the intended result. Give players the direct connection details instead.
Local connection works but friends time out
- Verify the game UDP port is forwarded to the server’s current LAN address.
- Allow that port through the host firewall and ensure the router rule targets the machine running RustDedicated.
- Test the public address from a network outside your LAN. A localhost test cannot confirm internet routing.
- Do not expose RCON as a substitute for the game port; each service uses its own protocol and setting.
The configuration appears to be ignored
Check the identity named at launch and open that identity’s cfg/server.cfg. Facepunch’s configuration order means values loaded from that file take precedence over command-line values. Stop the process before editing, remove contradictory duplicate settings, and restart rather than expecting every change to apply live.
The server runs out of memory or becomes unstable
Check world size first, because Facepunch specifically notes that a 6k map uses more than the baseline. Then consider concurrent players, plugins, and other services on the machine. Freeing memory, reducing the map or player limit, and moving to faster or larger SSD/NVMe storage are capacity decisions, not guaranteed fixes for every workload.
Rust+ will not pair
- Recalculate the companion TCP port from the greater of
server.port + 67andrcon.port + 67. - Forward that TCP port and allow it through the firewall.
- Use
app.infoto inspect the server’s reported companion details. - Confirm that the original
companion.idis still present and was not replaced by a copy from another server.
A custom-map player cannot load the world
Open the map URL from a separate network and confirm that it downloads without login, expires only when you intend it to, and remains online continuously. The Rust server cannot deliver a map file that is hosted only on your local machine or behind an unavailable link.
A practical launch checklist
- Choose Windows, Linux, or macOS hardware with at least 12 GB free RAM and 15 GB free disk space; allow more for larger maps and heavier populations.
- Prefer SSD/NVMe storage and leave operating-system headroom.
- Install SteamCMD and update App ID 258550 anonymously.
- Create a named identity and keep routine settings in its
cfg/server.cfg. - Set distinct game and query UDP ports, plus a separate TCP RCON port if required.
- Launch in batch mode, wait for startup completion, and test with
connect localhost:port. - Assign a stable LAN address before creating router forwarding rules.
- Forward only the services your audience needs; block the query port when the server should not be listed.
- Set owner or moderator permissions, protect RCON, and choose a real access-control method for private play.
- Back up the identity, configuration, permissions, world data, and Rust+
companion.id. - If using a custom map, host its file continuously at a public URL.
- After every update, verify the configuration, plugins, ports, Rust+, and a real client connection.
For the authoritative settings and platform-specific changes, keep the official Creating a server, hidden-server, Rust+ companion, and server getting-started pages available while you operate the server. They are living documents; the requirements cited here were accessed in October 2026.
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