Troubleshooting: Players Can't Connect

## Before You Start First, check your game panel — your server should show as **"Running"**. If it's offline or stuck on "Starting", see our crashes and performance guide instead. ## Common Causes **Rust Just Updated** After a Rust update, the server must also update to the same version. If the server hasn't updated yet, players on the new version can't connect. This is especially common on the **first Thursday of the month** (forced wipe day). Wait for the server to update or contact support if it seems stuck. **EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat) Errors** If a player gets an EAC error, they should: 1. Right-click Rust in Steam then go to **Properties** 2. Go to **Local Files** then **Verify Integrity of Game Files** 3. Wait for the process to complete and try connecting again **"Connection Attempt Failed"** This usually means the server is still starting up. Wait a minute or two and try again. If the server has been running for a while and you still see this, check the console for errors. **"Disconnected: Kicked"** A plugin may be kicking the player. Common causes: - A **whitelist plugin** is active and the player isn't on it - A **VPN blocker** plugin is rejecting their connection - An **anti-cheat plugin** flagged them Check your plugin list and their configurations. **Connection Timeout** This is usually the player's internet connection. Ask them to: - Restart their router - Try connecting via a wired connection instead of WiFi - Make sure no downloads or streams are using their bandwidth ## Still Can't Connect? Ask the affected player for the **exact error message** they see — it makes troubleshooting much faster. Then open a support ticket with the error and your server IP.