Contents
How to Join Your RUST Server
To join your server, you only need two things: the IP and game port and the server name. Settings such as the query port are configured automatically, so there is nothing for you to do.
Revision history
- 1.0:
- Created: 2026/10/06
- Changes: Initial release
- Author: BESTNET-GSERVER
STEP1. Check that the server has finished starting
Please make sure that the server page shows Online. While it shows Starting, your server does not appear in the in-game server list, and you cannot connect to it directly either.
| Important | The first start takes 6 to 11 minutes, because the map has to be generated. On our verification server we measured 8 minutes 41 seconds from pressing the start button until the server appeared in the server list. Later starts take about 3 minutes. For details, please see Starting, Stopping and Restarting. |
STEP2. Check the connection address
It is shown at the top of the server page, in the form IP:GamePort. Click it to copy it.
Your server name can be checked and changed on Startup in the left-hand menu, under Server Name.
STEP3. Join the server
Method A. Find it in the in-game server list (recommended)
- Launch RUST.
- Open the server list from PLAY GAME on the title screen.
- Type your server name into the search box and search.
- Select your server from the results and join.
| Note | The query port is what registers your server in the server list. Its number is the game port + 1, and it is already assigned automatically, so there is nothing for you to do. For details, please see About the RUST Ports. |
Method B. Connect directly from the F1 console
This is the reliable way when your server does not appear in the server list, or when searching by name is inconvenient.
- Launch RUST and press the F1 key to open the console.
- Type the following and press Enter.
client.connect IP:GamePort
| Important | Please use the game port. The number on the second row of the Network tab (the query port) will not connect. The game port is the number on the first row, that is, the number shown at the top of the server page. |
What to tell your friends
- The server name (if they will look for it in the server list)
- IP:GamePort (if they will connect directly with
client.connect)
If you cannot connect
- Does the server show Online? You cannot join while it shows Starting.
- Are you using the game port? The query port (the +1 number) will not connect.
- Is the server name correct? Please compare it with Server Name on the Startup tab.
- Did you just start the server? It can take a few minutes for the server to appear in the server list. From the F1 console you can join sooner.
- Does the Network tab show two rows? If the query port on the second row is missing (deleted, or never there in the first place), your server stops appearing in the list. You can fix this yourself. For how to do it, please see About the RUST Ports.
If you still cannot join, please submit a ticket.
